"I believe youth are for excellence because we embrace challenges with courage and adaptability, transforming them into opportunities for growth and impact.
My PhD journey in France reflects this spirit. At L’Institut Agro Montpellier and CIRAD, I had the opportunity to contribute to research on innovative solutions for banana crown rot management, bridging agriculture, material science, and physico-chemistry. Working with a multidisciplinary team and gaining access to advanced European research facilities challenged me to grow beyond my original field and appreciate how science can support sustainable food systems. This experience showed me that excellence is not about individual achievement, but about learning together and uniting diverse perspectives to solve global challenges.
Beyond academics, living in France immersed me in a culture of balance, creativity, and resilience. These values - critical thinking, innovation, and well-being - are central to building a stronger Europe and inspiring youth worldwide."
Johnrell Samonte Zuniega
PhD in Agroresources, Food, Bioproducts, and Nutrition, France
