By Andi Anderson
Siavash Heshmati, or Sia, embarked on a seed science odyssey at MSU under Dr. Grace Fleming's mentorship. His journey from Karaj to MSU echoes resilience and academic dedication. Siavash's passion for seed science sprouted from childhood memories of Nowruz rituals, igniting his curiosity about seed germination. Despite the pandemic's upheaval, Siavash seized the opportunity to intensify his English studies, paving the way for his PhD aspirations at MSU.
Currently, Siavash delves into the intricacies of seed biology, employing transcriptomics and genomics techniques. His research transcends agronomy boundaries, exploring factors like temperature, hydration, and custom coatings on seed behavior. Siavash's daily observations in the lab reveal promising insights, with significant changes observed within hours. His experimentation with hydropriming even led to a remarkable reduction in germination temperature.
Beyond the lab, Siavash embraces opportunities to enhance his language and presentation skills, as evidenced by his recent talk at the Corteva symposium in Indianapolis. Siavash's academic journey epitomizes resilience, adaptability, and a relentless pursuit of scientific inquiry. As he navigates his PhD pursuit, Siavash's contributions hold promise for advancing agricultural research and unraveling the mysteries of seed germination.
Photo Credit: istock-darcymaulsby
Categories: Michigan, Crops