Hutton scientist appointed first-ever female chair of influential soft fruit group

"I feel truly privileged and honoured to be elected to represent and promote activities of this working group, a fantastic community of over 400 outstanding researchers and members of society"

James Hutton soft fruit breeder Dr Dorota Jarret has been appointed chair of the International Society for Horticultural Science’s (ISHS) Rubus and Ribes Species and Management working group - the first female scientist, and the youngest, to ever take up the position.

The ISHS is a global horticultural network which aims to promote and encourage research and education in all branches of horticultural sciences and facilitate co-operation and knowledge transfer on a global scale through it’s symposia and congresses, publications and scientific structure.

The Rubus and Ribes Species and Management working group is part of the ISHS division of Vine and Berry Fruits which has over 2000 members spanning the globe.  As chair of the group, Dr Jarret will head up an 18-strong committee and will be responsible for guiding scientific activities and interests of the group for a minimum term of 4 years.

Dr Jarret was elected to take up the position of working group chair following her appearance as keynote speaker at this summer’s XII Rubus & Ribes Symposium in Switzerland, where she shared details of the development and use of genetic tools in Rubus and Ribes breeding at the James Hutton Group in Dundee.

Speaking about her appointment, Dr Jarret said: “I feel truly privileged and honoured to be elected to represent and promote activities of this working group, a fantastic community of over 400 outstanding researchers and members of society, a truly dedicated group with top knowledge and skills within Rubus and Ribes disciplines.”

Dr Jarret completed her PhD in January 2016, after six years of academic and practical research into the genetic control of processing quality traits in blackcurrants. A Polish native, Dr Jarret has been a part of the soft fruit breeding team at James Hutton Limited, the commercial subsidiary of the James Hutton Institute since 2009, where as Ribes geneticist and breeder she now oversees the contract to breed new varieties of blackcurrant for popular soft drink Ribena, and also plays a key role in blueberry breeding and researching the lesser-known, but tipped to be the next soft fruit sensation: the honeyberry.

Dr Jonathan Snape, Head of James Hutton Limited, said: “I am delighted to see Dorota take up this chair position, which is testament to her hard work and dedication within the industry. From beginning her PhD with James Hutton Limited in 2010 to developing new varieties alongside customer relationships, Dorota has always given 100% and I have no doubt she will excel in her new chair position.”

Dr Jorge Retamales, Division Chair of ISHS Vine and Berry Fruits, said: “I welcome Dorota to our team. I look forward to interacting with her in the future and her comments and suggestions to improve the performance of the working group and our division.”