<p><strong>Qamar Zeb, a Pakistani doctoral student, spent the last six months researching certain wheat varieties that are resistant to insects at the Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center. He returned to Pakistan Monday.</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p>

The Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center employs many people from throughout the world but has never had a researcher from the Middle East until this last year.

For the past six months, thanks to funding provided from the Pakistan Higher Education Commission, doctoral student Qamar Zeb moved to Hermiston from Pakistan to study different types of wheat varieties and how certain characteristics are related to their resistance of insects, such as aphids.

Prior to returning to Pakistan Monday, Zeb said the Pakistani government has been working the last several years to improve opportunities for Pakistani students to pursue and earn degrees in higher education. Zeb said because of funding from the PHEC, his travel expenses, research costs and even lodging were covered so he was free to focus solely on research. The program even provided a sort of stipend to support research opportunities at Oregon State University and the extension center.

The option is open to all Ph.D students in Pakistan, Zeb said. Ph.D students are encouraged to travel to the United States to learn modern techniques for research.

His HAREC adviser, Silvia Rondon, who also serves as an entomologist at the extension center, said she was a bit hesitant about receiving a student from the Middle East because she was worried about the cultural differences, but the opportunity worked out wonderfully.

I was happily surprised that it all came well together, she said. Regardless of where people come from, if they come with a good attitude and are willing to learn more, the sky is the limit.

While in Hermiston, Zeb spent his time studying equipment, insects and certain wheat cultivars to get an idea of what kinds of characteristics are required for wheat crops to be resistant to certain kinds of pests.

He said the United States is far advanced in technological methods and procedures, and, in addition to gaining insight to his research, he used the opportunity to improve his knowledge of modern techniques in agriculture.

The U.S. is a very developed country, he said. The equipment is quite advanced here.

Rondon said Zeb had never worked with equipment such as electro-penetration graphs, which evaluates how insects feed through wires inserted into them. She said it was also the first time that he used molecular techniques to determine how insect feeding affects vitamin content in wheat.

He was very pleased with this knowledge, she said.

Rondon said aphids are a constant problem for growers in the area, and Zebs work specifically targeted the bird cherry oat aphid since it is one of the most important vectors of what is known as the barley yellow dwarf virus in the region. She said his research in the field will contribute to further studies on the topic in the future that could impact several local wheat varieties.

Zeb said his research and use of modern techniques will be especially useful in Pakistan, where wheat is a prominent crop, and especially in the region of the country from where he hails.

Wheat is one of the largest stable foods in Pakistan, he said. Its been a good experience for me.

Zeb said one of his favorite parts about studying in Hermiston was working with his colleagues at the extension center, as well as local growers in the area. He said he has also worked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture on his research, and all experiences have been positive.

I liked interacting with everyone here, he said. We share a dual understanding. Ive shared experiences from my home country, and they have taught me techniques here. We are spreading knowledge for the betterment of the world.

Rondon said working with students and scholars from all over the world is beneficial because it helps to establish international bridges between countries to further knowledge.

Rondon said, on a more personal level, it was also nice just to get to know someone from a different culture.

Qamar is coming from a culture very different than ours. However that difference was nonexistent when we chatted about work back home or work here, she said. He really blended well with all at the HAREC. I believe that somebody with the right attitude and right approach to life at work is priceless. Now, my kids know where Pakistan is, what language they speak. That was just an extra bonus.