The Department of Viticulture and Enology at Fresno State has a new assistant professor joining the faculty. This new assistant professor is Dr. Runze Cliff Yu. A Fresno State V&E alumnus, Yu finished his master’s degree at Fresno State in 2016 before moving on to UC Davis. He earned his PhD degree in June 2020 there and stayed for another year as a post-doctoral researcher.
Yu is excited to share his knowledge and experiences with the students in the department. Yu also has an extensive research background. Working with his advisor Dr. Kaan Kurtural for many years, his research focuses on the current issues Central Valley wine grape growers have been experiencing, such as drought, heat and labor. He is planning to conduct research around these topics.
“Teaching and research should be mutually inclusive in viticulture,” said Yu. “We need to provide our students with the latest research and innovations. They are the future of this industry and will need to be equipped to solve problems and move the industry forward.”
Yu is very happy to back in the department. “It feels like coming back home,” he said. “I look forward to working with both students and grape growers to do my part to further the success of the grape industry.”
