Research with a mission: advancing national security, agriculture and workforce development
Visiting Yuma Agricultural Center experiment fields.
University of Arizona Senior Vice President for Research and Innovation Tómas Diáz de la Rubia recently visited Yuma, Arizona, to tour U of A-affiliated programs and reinforce the university’s deep commitment to research that benefits the region.
The two-day trip began with a tour of the Yuma Proving Ground, one of the nation’s leading military testing facilities, followed by a visit to the U of A Yuma Near You Network campus and Arizona Western College. Other stops were the Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture, U of A Cooperative Extension, and the Yuma Agricultural Center (one of the 11 Arizona Experiment Station locations), destinations that are spearheading initiatives in climate-smart farming, broadband expansion, food safety, security and workforce training.
U of A faculty members and industry stakeholders shared the unique and impactful research taking place at each of the U of A Yuma locations and the potential for growth and future partnerships.
The trip underscored the university's essential role in tackling some of the country’s most pressing challenges. Through partnerships in Yuma, the university is driving advancements in agricultural innovation, food security and national defense – all key aspects of its land-grant mission.
From left: U of A Senior Vice President of Research, Innovation & Impact Tómas Diáz de la Rubia, Senator Tim Dunn (R -Yuma) and U of A Associate Professor and Extension Specialist Glenn C. Wright at the Yuma Agriculture Center.
From left: Yuma County Supervisor Darren Simmons, Tómas Diáz de la Rubia, Senator Tim Dunn and Yuma Mayor Douglas Nicholls at the Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture.
From left: Arizona Western College CEO of Entrepreneurial College and Vice President of Workforce and Healthcare Reetika Dhawan, Tómas Diáz de la Rubia and U of A Near You Network Regional Academic Programs Manager Brianna Villa at Arizona Western College.
From left: GCR’s Jane Hays and Julie Katsel, U of A College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dean Shane Burgess, Tómas Diáz de la Rubia, Yuma Proving Ground Division Chief Aviation Systems Arid Electronic Testing Division Ross Gwynn, Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture Director Tonya Hodges; Smith Farms Company Mark Smith and U of A Associate Director for National Security Programs Cody Nicholls at the Yuma Proving Ground.
The group at a stakeholder meeting at the Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture.