| David Bugarin Renteria | Student | Salem, Oregon |
| Bioresource Research Major | Senior |
2025 Burlingham Undergraduate Student of Excellence Award |
1st place MANRRS Undergraduate Research Poster Division 1 |
First-Generation College Student | linkedin |
Purposeful Leadership
Through the College of Agricultural Sciences, I’ve had numerous hands-on opportunities that shaped both my academic and professional growth. I found many of these through faculty recommendations, academic advisors, and campus events promoting research and leadership programs. One of the most impactful was participating in three USDA-NIFA REEU programs. In these, I conducted independent research on sustainable pest control, mentored Puerto Rican students in their summer research, and coordinated a service-learning trip to Puerto Rico. These experiences helped me build research skills, leadership ability, and cross-cultural communication.As a CAS Ambassador and Resident Assistant, I also engaged with students and their families, developed professional communication skills, and supported underrepresented students by connecting them with academic and career resources. All these opportunities were critical in preparing me for the next step in my career. They gave me real-world experience, helped me build confidence, and showed me how to use science to solve meaningful problems in agriculture.
Unlocking Potential
I’m passionate about agriculture, especially sustainable farming and supporting underrepresented communities through mentorship and education. My journey started in landscaping with my dad, where I learned the value of hard work and saw firsthand the health risks agricultural workers face from chemical exposure. That early experience, combined with a toxicology course and personal health challenges, sparked my commitment to sustainable agriculture. Outside of academics, I enjoy reading, watching movies, and traveling extensively, giving me a broader view of the world and deepening my understanding of different communities. I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to fulfill their potential, and I see my role as someone who supports others on that journey. I’ve learned that growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone, and some of my most meaningful experiences came from saying yes to opportunities that challenged me. Whether I’m presenting research at a conference or translating presentations in a rural community, I’m driven by a desire to make agriculture safer, more inclusive, and sustainable for everyone.
Global Impact
My field of study has taken me across labs, farms, classrooms, and even continents. Internationally, I studied abroad in New Zealand, gaining insight into agricultural systems in a different climate and economy. In Puerto Rico, I led a service-learning trip focused on community gardens and environmental restoration. In Mexico, I worked with veterinarians and community members during a short-term study abroad program, translating presentations and facilitating communication. Each of these gave me unique insight into global agricultural systems and the ways climate, economy, and culture shape farming practices. My academic journey has included three distinct research projects: one on integrated pest management in blueberry crops, another addressing dairy cow manure runoff, and a final thesis project focused on pesticide toxicology. These projects gave me hands-on lab experience and opportunities to present my research at national conferences like MANRRS, which helped sharpen my communication skills and build confidence in my research abilities. These experiences all helped prepare me for my next step, which was securing a role with one of the largest agricultural companies in the world.
Empowered Advocacy
Throughout my education and professional development, I’ve faced both personal and systemic challenges that have shaped my journey and fueled my passion for making a difference in agriculture. One significant challenge was developing an autoimmune condition that affected my digestive system. This condition required me to adjust my diet and manage my health, which sometimes impacted my ability to fully engage in certain academic and professional activities. However, this experience deepened my understanding of the intersection between agriculture, food, and health. It motivated me to focus on reducing pesticide use and promoting safer farming practices. To address this, I prioritized self-care and became more strategic in managing my workload, ensuring that I could still pursue my passion for agriculture while maintaining my health.
Systemically, I recognized the challenges that underrepresented communities face in agriculture, particularly the lack of access to resources and opportunities. Growing up, I witnessed the struggles agricultural workers endured, including exposure to harmful chemicals and unsafe working environments. As I progressed in my education, I realized these systemic barriers persist for many underserved communities. To address this, I sought opportunities to mentor and support underrepresented students in agriculture. Through my role as a mentor and recruiter in the USDA-NIFA REEU program, I guided students through academic and personal challenges, connecting them with the resources they needed to succeed. I also worked as a Ford Mentor, where I helped students navigate their college journey and access resources both on and off campus. These experiences allowed me to empower others, helping them overcome barriers that I had faced myself.
Transformative Journey
One of the most valuable aspects of these experiences was the personal growth that came from stepping outside my comfort zone, whether that was leading a group of students, presenting to a room full of professionals, or adapting to a new culture. The most interesting part has been learning about the diversity of farming methods, from organic practices to integrated pest management, and realizing that there is no one-size-fits-all solution, only different priorities and approaches. And the most fun? My semester in New Zealand. Beyond the classroom, I bought a car with a friend and road-tripped across the country for nearly a month. That adventure was filled with breathtaking views, unexpected detours, and lots of laughter, and it showed me how growth often happens outside the lab or lecture hall, when you step out of your comfort zone and embrace something new.
Resilient Growth
Balancing multiple responsibilities while managing my health and addressing systemic barriers required me to adapt and find innovative solutions. I honed time management skills, stayed organized, and developed resilience in the face of adversity. By turning these challenges into opportunities for growth, I’ve not only advanced my education but also strengthened my commitment to improving agriculture, making it more inclusive, sustainable, and equitable for all.
A defining moment in my life was taking a toxicology class that explored how toxins disproportionately affect marginalized communities. It made me reflect on my own experiences working in landscaping with my father, where we often handled herbicides and other chemicals without proper protective gear. I realized we had unknowingly been exposed to serious health risks, something many agricultural workers face daily. This moment shifted my perspective and sparked a strong interest in toxicology and sustainable agriculture. I began to understand how closely connected environmental health, agriculture, and community well-being are. It pushed me to pursue research focused on reducing pesticide use and protecting farm workers, especially those in underserved communities.
Nurtured Ambition
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my advisor, Wanda Crannell, for her unwavering support and guidance throughout my college journey. Her mentorship has been instrumental to my growth, and the countless opportunities she has provided have profoundly shaped my academic and professional path. I am also incredibly thankful to all the research faculty who supported and guided me through my various research projects. A special thanks goes to Dr. Serhan Mermer, the PI of my thesis project, for his dedicated mentorship, spending countless hours reviewing my thesis and helping me prepare for my seminar presentations. The success I’ve achieved over these past four years would not have been possible without the incredible support network I was fortunate to have, from inspiring faculty to loyal friends, who helped me navigate every step of the way.