Born and raised in Douglas, Arizona, on the U.S.–Mexico border, Alejandra Ruelas (’23 BS in sustainable horticulture) is a first-generation Hispanic alumna. Agriculture played a prominent role in her community, as did water scarcity. She knew she wanted to pursue a career in agriculture, but it wasn’t until she got to ASU’s Polytechnic campus and met chemistry instructor Zhihao Chen in the College of Integrative Sciences and Arts that she discovered her passion for sustainability. His novel approach to vertical farming using a completely organic closed system that can be operated from a grocery store parking lot gives Alejandra hope for the future of her community.

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