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Vineland apple researcher honoured
Rachael is developing and filtering candidate apple varieties from an estimated 28,000 different apple varieties down to a couple of final selections over a 16-year period.
November 29, 2022 By Vineland Research & Innovation Centre
The Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce, Women in Business Awards have honoured a Vineland apple researcher: Rachael LeBlanc. (Photo provided by: Vineland Research & Innovation Centre) As you eat an apple, you may not realize how much effort and decades of development it has taken to breed the one or two apples that horticultural experts believe the current and next generation of consumers will enjoy. Now, and at the end of this decade, one Niagara-based expert to remember is Rachael LeBlanc, a research scientist with Vineland Research and Innovation Centre.
Rachael joined Vineland in 2009 and now leads the apple-breeding program at Vineland. Working with external collaborators and Vineland’s diverse team, including consumer, genetics and production scientists, as well as Vineland’s farm team, Rachael is developing and filtering candidate apple varieties from an estimated 28,000 different apple varieties down to a couple of final selections over a 16-year period. A new variety is intended to be available in stores in 2028.
As a mentor, coach and leader, Rachael ensures that team is well lead and managed, and also continuously challenged and developed, both personally and professionally. She also ensures her skills are maintained and refined, and is currently enrolled in the University of California, Davis Plant Breeding Academy.
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