Beenish Bashir, OPS Technician for Dr. Gurpal Singh Toor in Soil & Water research, is new to the US as well as the Center.  Beenish received her Masters degree from the University of Punjab in Pakistan in 2004, majoring in molecular biology.  She is now a permanent resident living with her husband Osman Amin in Gibsonton.

You've been seeing this guy around for awhile, as he has been working for Bayer Corp with Dr. Marco Toapanta, Courtesy Faculty.  Damaso (Tito) Fuentes, Jr. has begun work as OPS for Dr. Natalia Peres in Plant Pathology this past month and will also be assisting with Dr. David Schuster in Entomology later on.  Tito is a graduate of East Bay High School and lives with his family in Ruskin.

Robert Whitmire has joined Dr. David Schuster's Entomology team as OPS.  Bob graduated from Virginia Tech with a BS in business administration.  After working a number of years in mechandising management, Bob and wife, Connie, settled in Ruskin. Bob delivered mail for Wimauma for six years, and still does periodic tomato inspections for the State Dept. of Agriculture. 

Just starting this month for Dr. Gary Vallad as OPS is Kelli Jo Hamilton.  Kelli is a graduate of Riverview Senior High School and will be attending college in January.  Until then she will be assisting in the Plant Pathology research program.