Member Spotlight: Christ Mane Belizaire

Christ Mane Belizaire’s story reflects the heart of MANRRS: resilience, service, and leadership in pursuit of a stronger, more sustainable future for agriculture.

 Quick Facts

• Chapter Affiliation: University of Florida, Region II

• Hometown: Born and raised in Haiti; currently in Gainesville, Florida

• Degree Program: 3rd Year Ph.D. in Plant Pathology

• MANRRS Member Since: Fall 2022

• Fun Fact: Growing up in Northern Haiti surrounded by fruit trees first sparked her curiosity about plant health. Watching her grandparents and family struggle with crop losses due to plant diseases deepened that passion and inspired her to pursue a career dedicated to agricultural sustainability.

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Journey in Agriculture

For Christ Mane Belizaire, agriculture has always been both personal and purposeful. Her curiosity about plant health grew from early experiences in Haiti, where farming was both a livelihood and a challenge. These experiences shaped her mission  to understand plant diseases and develop sustainable solutions that can help growers.

At the University of Florida, Christ’s Master’s research focused on avocado scab, a fungal disease that damages fruit skins and reduces marketability. Building on that work, her Ph.D. research focuses on two main goals: 1) Analyzing the genetic diversity of blueberry rust fungus across Florida. 2)Detecting rust-resistant breeding material from UF programs.

Her work will contribute to the development of rust-resistant blueberry cultivars that reduce crop losses, increase economic stability for growers, and sustain Florida’s position as a leader in premium blueberry production.

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Leadership & Service

Beyond research, Christ has embraced leadership and service. She currently serves as:

• Treasurer of the U F MANRRS Chapter
• Secretary, Plant Science Council
• Former President, Plant Pathology Graduate Student Organization

Through these roles, she has supported fellow students, built networks, and developed confidence, especially in public speaking, despite English being her second language. Programs like the MANRRS Summer Series taught her “the power of the pivot” and inspired her to define her legacy of service and leadership.

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Recognition & Accomplishments

Her  research, teaching, and outreach has been recognized at local, national, and international levels. Her key accomplishments include:

• 2nd Place Oral Presentation (Graduate Student) – 2025 MANRRS  39th Annual Training Conference and Career Expo in Memphis, TN

• APS Foundation Travel Award

• CALS Dean’s Prestigious Award – one of UF’s most competitive graduate student honors

• Research presentations at international conferences in Belgium, the U.S., and Haiti

• Teaching experience at the university level and online instruction in Haiti

• Active leadership across professional organizations

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Looking Ahead

Her long-term goal is to become a leader in plant pathology, combining research, teaching, and outreach. She is especially passionate about creating sustainable disease management strategies and diagnostic tools that strengthen global food security, while also supporting Haitian farmers and vulnerable communities worldwide.

“I believe in building bridges between science and practice,” Christ shares. “By working alongside growers, industry partners, and extension agents, I want to empower communities with the tools they need to protect plant health and thrive.”