University of California Davis
email: codchen@ucdavis.edu
Ph.D. Viticulture and Enology
University of California Davis
email: codchen@ucdavis.edu
B.Sc., B.A., University of California, Davis; June 2016
Major #1: Environmental Horticulture and Urban Forestry
Major #2: Economics
M.Sc., University of California, Davis; June 2018
Major: Horticulture and Agronomy
Specialization: Viticulture and Enology
Ph.D., University of California, Davis; Expected June 2021
Major: Horticulture and Agronomy
Specialization: Viticulture and Enology
Abiotic stress responses and water use efficiency of agricultural and ornamental crops through the
study of stress tolerance, genotypic expression, breeding programs and management practices.
Ph.D. Candidate
Department of Viticulture & Enology
University of California, Davis
June 2018 - Present
Supervisor: Dr. M. Andrew Walker
Research focused on elucidating mechanisms of sodium chloride tolerance in Vitis spp. and development of rootstock breeding methods for rapid and
quantitative screening of many collections of novel genetic material for salt-tolerant phenotypes in large populations. Responsibility
for own progress with regular reporting to supervisors.
• Collected data from self-designed experiments for purpose of developing breeding
methodology for salt-tolerance screening procedures:
Experimental Design and Setup
Applicable Instrumentation and Applied Understanding of Theoretical Concepts
Treatment Application and Sample collection
Sample Processing
• Generation of data through laboratory analysis, and/or the process of:
Silver-Ion Titration
Determination of chloride concentrations in different plant tissues
Scanning Electron Microscopy for Subcellular Differentiation
• Exposure and/or further experience with:
Plant propagation from hardwood and herbaceous cuttings
Statistical data analysis using R
Proper experimental design and maintenance
Sample preparation for complex analyses
Viticultural management practices
Vineyard design and maintenance
Graduate Student Researcher
Department of Viticulture & Enology
University of California, Davis
June 2016 - June 2018
Supervisor: Dr. Sahaap Kaan Kurtural
Independent and cooperative research focused on abiotic stress responses in Vitis vinifera and mechanization of commercial wine grape
vineyards of several premier viticulture regions in California. Organized and participated in field and laboratory work to analyze and determine
effects of differing, scientific treatments on wine grape yield and quality.
• Collected industry-standard data from field trials for, but not limited to:
Crop coefficients, Vine water status, Irrigation scheduling
NDVI, Crop Sensing and Imaging, Site logistics
Berry sampling for quality, Yield predictions and Final yield
• Generation of data through laboratory analysis, and/or the process of:
Berry phenolic: biosynthesis, composition, and temporal development
Determination of quality and concentration of flavonoid classes.
Small-batch, experimental wine making
• Exposure and/or further experience with:
Basic statistical data analysis using R
Proper experimental design and maintenance
NDVI and Crop Sensing
Harvest of wine-grapes
Basic management practices of viticulture
Student Research Assistant
Department of Plant Sciences
University of California, Davis
January, 2014 - June, 2016
Supervisor: Dr. Valerie T. Eviner
Research assistant position focused on understanding plant and soil community responses to climate change, grazing &management and nutrient
availability in California’s annual grasslands.
• Performed plant-soil processing methods including root extraction, biomass
sampling and seed sorting.
• Experience operating specialized ecological processing equipment and seed
imaging software WinSeedle.
• Knowledgeable in ecological field sampling methodology including California
grassland species identification and vegetation surveys.
• Performed data analysis using JMP statistical software.
• Trained supervisors on seed imaging software procedures.
Project Assistant
Department of Plant Sciences
University of California, Merced
April 2015 - July 2015
Supervisor: Erin Dickman
Assisted with Master’s thesis research investigating physiological adaptations over four decades to climate change in cut-leaf
monkey flower in the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
• Independently monitored monkey flower growth experiment recording regular
phenotypic measurements.
• Communicated results to supervisor via bi-monthly meetings.
• Performed regular maintenance and monitoring of greenhouse experiment,
including watering, segregation, and pruning.
• Experience troubleshooting and problem solving in experimental greenhouse settings.
Research Internship
Department of Plant Sciences
University of California, Davis
January 2015 - March 2015
Supervisors: Dr. Valerie T. Eviner, Joanne Heraty
Collaborated and developed independent internship project analyzing litter removal and accumulation post-drought in California’s grasslands.
• Collected regular above and belowground biomass measurements in-field.
• Surveyed and identified vegetation using Daubenmire classifications.
• Researched and maintained records of precipitation and temperature events for analysis.
• Used statistical software package JMP to analyze results.
• Communicated findings to supervisors.
Graduate Studies Admissions Committee Member
Horticulture and Agronomy Graduate Group
University of California, Davis
January 2020 – April 2020
Student committee member representing graduate student opinions on new applicants to the horticulture and agronomy graduate group; served in
conjunction with faculty committee members.
• Socratic discussion with committee members on merit of new applicants
• Review and commentary on applications of potential students
• Overall referral to admit, deny, or reapply for each applicant
Resident Advisor
Student Housing Services
University of California, Davis
September 2013- June 2014
In-house advisor position responsible for facility management, resident welfare and safety, community building and resource referrals.
• Trained in emergency response, safety.
• Experience in conflict resolution, incident reporting, new resident resource referrals.
Orientation Leader
Student Housing Services
University of California, Davis
May 2013- August 2013
Organized and led orientation geared towards new student graduation requirements, UC system resources and class registration navigation.
• Experience performing academic advising, conflict resolution, communicating
information to a large audience.
Martínez-Lüscher, J., Chen, C. C. L., Brillante, L., & Kurtural, S. K. (2017). Partial Solar Radiation Exclusion with Color Shade Nets Reduces the Degradation of Organic Acids and Flavonoids of Grape Berry (Vitis vinifera L.). Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 65(49), 10693–10702. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.7b04163
Link: Martínez-Lüscher et al. 2017 - Publication
Chen, C. C. L., Romero, N., & Walker, M. A. (2019). Rapid Screening for Salt-stress Tolerance Through Chloride-Ion Accumulation in Leaves of Wild Vitis Spp. Rootstocks. American Society for Enology and Viticulture (2019).
Link: Chen et al. 2018 - ASEV Conference Poster
Chen, C. C. L., Brillante, L., & Kurtural, S. K. (2018). Partial Solar Radiation Exclusion, Not Applied Water Amounts Mitigate Berry Flavonoid Content and Organic Acids in Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) Berry. American Society for Enology and Viticulture (2018).
Link: Chen et al. 2018 - ASEV Conference Poster
Chen, C. C. L., Martínez-Lüscher, J., Brillante, L., & Kurtural, S. K. (2017). Shifts in Proanthocyanidin Composition of Cabernet Sauvingon is Modulated by Selective Cluster Shading and Water Deficits. American Society for Enology and Viticulture (2017).
Link: Chen et al. 2017 - ASEV Conference Poster