A simple microscope gift during a childhood illness sparked a lifelong passion for horticulture that would take Dr. Daniel Leskovar from Argentina to leadership in American plant science. As the current President of the American Society for Horticultural Science, Dr. Leskovar shares the remarkable journey that began with his father's work in hop production and led him through prestigious institutions across three continents.
The conversation reveals how formative experiences—observing agricultural practices in Patagonia, studying plant cells during recovery from a kidney infection, and adapting to a fruit and vegetable-rich diet—shaped his scientific curiosity. Dr. Leskovar pursued advanced degrees at Wageningen University, UC Davis, and the University of Florida before establishing himself as a respected researcher and center director at Texas A&M University.
From his base in the "Winter Garden of Texas," Dr. Leskovar conducts innovative research on artichokes, tomatoes, spinach, and hydroponics. His current projects showcase a commitment to practical solutions, including grafting techniques for improved tomato production, assessing cadmium levels in spinach to ensure food safety, and developing hydroponic systems that can engage students with horticultural science.
What truly distinguishes this conversation is Dr. Leskovar's vision for horticultural science globally. He articulates ambitious goals for ASHS, emphasizing the need to elevate publications, strengthen the society's brand recognition, and forge international partnerships that highlight how "what we do matters to people, matters to the environment, matters to quality of life."
Ready to discover how horticultural science shapes our world? To learn more about Dr. Leskovar's research, visit Vegetable physiology, production, quality - Texas A&M AgriLife Center at Uvalde or contact him directly at [email protected].

Learn more about the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) at https://ashs.org/.
HortTechnology, HortScience and the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science are all open-access and peer-reviewed journals, published by the American Society of Horticultural Science (ASHS). Find them at journals.ashs.org.
Consider becoming an ASHS member at https://ashs.org/page/Becomeamember!
You can also find the official webpage for Plants, People, Science at ashs.org/plantspeoplesciencepodcast, and we encourage you to send us feedback or suggestions at https://ashs.org/webinarpodcastsuggestion.
Podcast transcripts are available at https://plantspeoplescience.buzzsprout.com.
On LinkedIn find Sam Humphrey at linkedin.com/in/samson-humphrey. Curt Rom is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/curt-rom-611085134/. Lena Wilson is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lena-wilson-2531a5141/.

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