Hugo is a Ph.D. candidate at The Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture studying Rhizophere Biology. Hugo’s research focuses on understanding the interplay between soil microbial communities and root exudates in the rhizosphere of plant crops and Arabidopsis. Hugo holds training and has gained experience within the fields of soil microbiology, microbial ecology, plant biology and crop production. Hugo’s research goal is to help develop biological based fertilizer that improve plant productivity and health.