Massi Khodaverdi, from Tehran, Iran, is a PhD candidate in UVM’s Plant Biology Department. After completing an undergraduate degree in Plant Science, she moved to the United States in 2017 to continue her education, obtaining a Master’s degree in Plant Science and Biotechnology from Syracuse University. Upon joining UVM in 2020, Massi began working in Professor Jill Preston’s research lab in UVM’s Department of Plant Biology. Considering climate change's present and future impacts on local and global food systems, her research focuses on understanding how temperature affects specific model grass species at the cellular level.

Driven by a passionate interest in plant biology and a long-standing desire to positively impact the environment, food systems, and her community, Massi intends to apply insights gained from her research between model grass species and temperature to the closely related but more genetically complex cereal crops like wheat and barley. Understanding the candidate genes responsible for plant performance in different temperatures could be used to improve the resilience of cereal crops against climate and environmental changes. She is hopeful that the research results will provide important insights that benefit global and local food systems in Vermont.

Outside of her research, Massi enjoys spending time outdoors and connecting with nature. She is an enthusiastic world traveler, jumping at most chances to experience different cultures and learn about other places and people.