UPS Professor Marco Cerna, PhD., member of the university's NUKUI WAKAN (spirit of Earth) Research Group (Grupo de Investigación NUKUI WAKAN), presented his research "Diversity of species of the family Orchidaceae in Ecuador" in the Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University-FAFU in China. 

Professor Cerna was invited to take part in several conferences and events in commemoration of the 80th year anniversary of the FAFU from the 14th to the 22nd October. In his presentation, he highlighted the enormous potential of these species in America to carry out evolutionary studies of this taxonomic group. Orchids have an important commercial potential, because they are highly appreciated flowers in international markets.

Professor Cerna also took part in the development of a research project between UPS and the FAFU on the diversity of orchids in Ecuador, its management, conservation and molecular analysis. 

Thanks to this project, we will be able to learn, in depth, about the technology of in vitro culture and molecular analysis of plants that the FAFU has, while UPS will provide knowledge on the biodiversity of orchids in America. They plan to include students and researchers from both countries interested in developing master's and Ph.D. studies in this area.

Professor Cerna was able to learn more about the level of technological development of the FAFU for the management of orchids; he visited the laboratories, greenhouses and orchid house. The President of FAFU, Professor Lan Siren, is a passionate researcher of orchids and wants to support the efforts aimed at learning more about this botanical family