Derek Barchenger (USA) joined WorldVeg as a Postdoctoral Scientist – Breeding on 1 August 2017. Derek recently completed and received his PhD degree in plant and environmental sciences from New Mexico State University, USA, where he focused on chili pepper genetics and breeding. During his PhD training, Derek received a 2016 Borlaug Fellowship and spent his six-month term at WorldVeg headquarters under the mentorship of Pepper Breeder Sanjeet Kumar. While at WorldVeg, Derek implemented a Phytophthora capsici race characterization protocol to support international anticipatory breeding against this devastating pathogen. Welcome back, Derek!