Karla Cordero Lara is a PhD student in the Tai Lab. She received her BSc in 2002 in Agronomy at University of Talca, Chile. She completed her MSc degree in Horticulture in 2005 in the University of Talca, Chile, which focused on molecular and phenotypic dissection of a mutation in Cabernet sauvignon grapevine that caused a bigger and heavier grape cluster. From 2005 she has been working at the National Agricultural Research Institute (INIA) in Chile as plant breeder. Before starting her PhD studies she was heading of the National Rice Breeding Program at INIA. Her PhD research project is aimed at understanding the genetic bases of seedling vigor in rice using a using a RIL developed from an intraspecific cross (japonica x japonica) using two California varieties.