WCR welcomes Josué Arevalo Alvarenga, Research Technician for Latin America

World Coffee Research (WCR) is happy to announce the recent appointment of Josué Arevalo Alvarenga to the position of Research Technician for Latin America.

Josué comes to WCR with expertise and experience in agronomy, food science, and technology. Most recently, he held the position of Field Agronomist at two companies local to Santa Ana, El Salvador, and served in a similar capacity as an intern at Texas Tech University. Josué holds a bachelor's degree in Food Science and Technology from the Pan-American Agricultural School in Zamorano, Honduras.

In his new role, Josué will play an integral role in supporting operations at WCR's Research Farm, Finca Flor Amarilla in El Salvador, including activities related to the Innovea Global Arabica Breeding Network, the International Multilocation Variety Trial (IMLVT), and more. He will perform hands-on work in plot management, evaluation, sampling, selection, harvest, pollination, and planting needed to ensure the success of field initiatives.

WCR's Communications Manager, Maeve Holler, spoke with Josué and asked him a few questions about his personal and professional experiences with coffee, what he hopes to accomplish in his new role, and what he enjoys doing in his spare time at his home in El Salvador.

1. What is your experience working with coffee?

I started in the coffee industry at the Pan-American University of Agriculture in Zamorano, where I took an intensive course to learn about coffee production and agronomic management, coffee processing, and coffee quality. Once I graduated, I started providing technical assistance for both the industry and production sectors.

2. What has been the main focus of your research throughout your career?

Throughout my career, my research has been focused on improving food quality and ensuring food safety, working for institutions such as Texas Tech University, the Pan-American University of Agriculture, Zamorano, and Dummen Orange.

3. What excites you about working for World Coffee Research? What drew you to the organization?

Since WCR’s efforts are focused on ensuring the future of coffee—and given that this sector is not just important for the economy of farmers in El Salvador but for the world—I desire to have a meaningful and positive impact by contributing to research that can generate solutions to overcome the different challenges facing both the production sector and the industry.

4. What do you hope to contribute in your role as a Research Technician?

I am passionate about the coffee sector and a committed professional within the industry, and it is my hope that I will contribute to the proper development of WCR’s Flor Amarilla Research Farm, providing both proper agronomic and data management, and contributing to the breeding team to monitor our progress effectively.

5. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I have many hobbies I enjoy doing in my spare time, including barismo, cooking, playing instruments such as the guitar and the bass, singing, and visiting touristic places in El Salvador.

6. Where do you live and what do you love about it?

I live in Santa Ana City, El Salvador, and I love everything about this place. The kind people, the flavourful typical food (mostly pupusas), and the different touristic places near the central city.

7. How do you take your coffee?

I am a huge fan of pour-over methods and dry/natural processed coffee and built my own coffee set up at home to achieve an incredible cup.