Senior Spotlight: Dianna Vazquez-Rosas

Fresno State enology senior Dianna Vazquez-Rosas grew up working with her father in Central Valley vineyards, and that connection has now led her into research that could help improve the quality of that same soil.

Her curiosity has also led her around the world to the Azorean Islands & a study abroad internship last summer to learn about old world winemaking.

The soon-to-be #FresnoStateGrad is also setting an example for other students through the LSAMP program (Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation) that mentors students in science, engineering, technology and mathematics fields.

Learn more about this viticulture and enology student success story in a recent interview: 

 

Q: I see that you were involved with research with Fresno State faculty Dr. Qun Sun looking at how gypsum, compost, biochar and sulfar could potentially help soil that’s affected by drought and salinity issues. Have you helped with any other research with our viticulture and enology faculty?

Vazquez-Rosas: “I also assisted Dr. Sanliang Gu during the summer 2015 in identifying if the Central Valley had been affected by climate change. Using the California Irrigation Management Information System, CIMIS, I was able to trace back California’s weather information. The following fall I decided to step back and focus primarily on academics.”

 

Q: Do you have any potential career paths that you're considering & why are you interested in those professions? 

Vazquez-Rosas: “I am interested in an MBA at Fresno State in order to pursue a career in consumer relations for large-scale wineries. Chemistry analysis in winemaking is fascinating and having experienced that I want to step into a new direction of the winemaking process. Being able to participate in a research lab at Fresno State has been a beneficial experience that I am truly grateful for.”

 

Q: What's your agricultural background prior to Fresno State?

Vazquez-Rosas: “My stepfather used to own farmland in Madera and grew pistachios, almonds and other commodities. When his family grew, he decided to step out of the agriculture field and into computer science. A huge change, but he always tells stories about how much he enjoyed working on the family farm.”

Vazquez-Rosas: “My late father worked as a field worker in Firebaugh for vineyards. I would assist him in his labor duties, and it was a family bonding experience that I still miss today.”

Vazquez-Rosas: “Both contributed to my passion in pursuing a career in the agriculture field.”

 

Q: Have you been a member of any other campus/student organizations or community outreach efforts?

Vazquez-Rosas: “I have been an active member of the Fresno State Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation program (LSAMP), that assists STEM-based students. This national organization guided me in how to pursue a higher education. Even though, I am straying away from the STEM field some now, it still helped me meet a lot of my goals.” 

Vazquez-Rosas: “I also participated in the Fresno State Viticulture Club during my freshman and sophomore year. That gave me the ability to help our viticulture and enology program, as well as bonding with other students in my related field.”

 

Q: Have you done any internships that relate to your career path?

Vazquez-Rosas: “I did an internship abroad last summer on the island of Terceira in the Azores that was through our campus Ag One Foundation. I was one of four students that traveled abroad for a month to work with the faculty at their university and explore the island. I got to visit old style wineries, and work with faculty on conducting chemistry analysis on old style wines. When I returned to the States, I enjoyed working with other people with different work experiences in the agriculture field and expand those opportunities.”

 

Q: Are there any other interesting aspects about you as a student/person?

Vazquez-Rosas: “Not only am I a first-generation student, but my mom is also attending Fresno State, and we would commute together this year. It was an interesting experience that I am glad we had.”

Vazquez-Rosas: “I also love traveling to different parts of California like Pismo, Monterey, San Francisco, San Diego, San Louis Obispo, Yosemite, etc. One benefit of being in the Central Valley is having both the ocean and mountains nearby.”