AWC Students Bring Genome Conference Insights Back to Yuma Agriculture

A delegation of Arizona Western College students and faculty attended the International Plant and Animal Genome Conference (PAG 33) in San Diego from Jan. 10–15, 2025 and returned to Yuma with new scientific insights they say are relevant to local agriculture. The AWC press release datelined San Diego, Calif. (Feb. 18, 2025) emphasized that the group “explored the technologies and practices shaping modern farming and food production.”

The delegation named in the AWC release included Dr. Hikmet Budak, Director of Agriculture Programs at Arizona Western College; AWC Ag Ambassador Rayna Ramirez; GOALS Project Coordinator Ailyn Gomez Ray; and students Carlos Tornero and Salvador Cabrera Banuelos. The release also highlighted Dr. Raheela Rehman, now an Associate Professor at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, who “traveled from Pakistan to share a presentation that highlighted how the academic foundation she received at AWC prepared her for leadership roles on a global scale.”

AWC’s announcement framed PAG 33 as the forum where attendees engaged with cutting-edge research: the separate short report fragment described the conference as “a major scientific meeting that showcases cutting‑edge research in plant and anima” and AWC’s material reiterated the delegation’s focus on technologies and practices shaping modern farming. The college’s press materials note the trip as both an educational experience for students and a professional exchange for faculty at an international conference in San Diego.

The college tied the delegation’s participation to institutional investments in workforce and leadership development, stating that “The event also served as a testament to the long-term impact of AWC’s mentorship program funded by the USDA-NIFA.” The press release lists Dr. Hikmet Budak as the contact for follow-up information and potential interviews; his contact information in the release is hikmet.budak1@azwestern.edu and (928) 344-7742.

Arizona Western College supplied organizational context alongside the trip details, listing its Yuma campus address at 2020 S Ave 8 E, Yuma, AZ 85365 and reiterating institutional commitments: “At Arizona Western College, we are committed to providing valuable educational opportunities and training experiences. We prepare students to meet the challenges impacting our world,” and “AWC makes learning accessible and strives to eliminate barriers to education.” The press release identifies photo assets and participant names that local growers, educators, and policymakers can reference when tracking how PAG 33 findings move from conference sessions into classroom instruction and regional agricultural practices.