Yoselin Benitez-Alfonso (she/her) is a Professor in Interdisciplinary Plant Sciences at the University of Leeds, where she is also a UKRI Future Leader Fellow.
From Seed to Sprout
Growing up in Cuba, spending a lot of time at her Grandparents’ sea-front home, it was here that Yoselin recalls “the happiest and most creative times of my childhood” that contributed to her love for nature.
Thanks to her Dad, her role model, Yoselin “developed a huge respect for animals and humans and decided very early on that research on those was not an option.”
Her love for Chemistry and Biology grew throughout school and university, graduating with a degree in Chemistry at the University of Cordoba, Spain, where Yoselin emigrated in 1994.
A Love Affair to Last the Ages
Research has always been on the cards for Yoselin, “I think that I was born with a curiosity bug! I wanted to know everything and then know more.” So when she was offered a scholarship for a PhD in Plant Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, she seized the opportunity to pursue her passion.
Yoselin’s love affair with research began as she taught herself plant biology – studying for long hours, researching plants.
The first paper Professor Benitez-Alfonso produced was on her favourite plant, the olive tree. “Olive trees grow in the driest spaces in Spain and it is very climate resilient…Historically an olive branch was a symbol of Peace and Friendship but also to celebrate Victory. I cannot think of a more meaningful tree.”
Recalling her early years she recognises that she was made for research, “Analysis and Rational thinking are the basis of scientific research but a good portion of resilience; open-mindedness and patience is required. I could identify myself with these traits and could not see myself doing something different from research.”
Today, Yoselin’s love affair with plant science continues, “The first thing I think when I wake up is research and I enjoy every minute I get to engage with the research process.”
Black In Plant Science
For the 66th Black Female Professor in the UK, research is not confined to the spaces of journals and labs but is expansive and inclusive, and so she co-founded the Black in Plant Science Network to connect, celebrate, and cultivate the Black plant scientists community in the UK.
“I feed off the feeling that my contributions to Undergraduate teaching and to equity, diversity and inclusion, are meaningful and improve society.” Her meaningful contributions were recognised in 2023 when Yoselin was awarded the ‘Education and Academic Leader of the Year’ Forward Ladies award. “I enjoy seeing the students and postdocs that I trained succeeding in whatever they pursued next and becoming better mentors and managers than me.”
Yoselin’s own mentors include Dave Jackson and Andy Maule. “They taught me how to lead a project, how to be a mentor but also how to remain grounded, happy and approachable, despite the pressures of academia.”
Head to Professor Benitez-Alfonso’s lab website to follow her work.