Siela Maximova

Siela Maximova is a Research Professor in Plant Science at Pennsylvania State University. Her research focuses on cacao genetics and crop improvement to address global challenges in food security, sustainable agriculture, and climate change mitigation. She leads projects investigating cacao's resistance to pathogens like Phytophthora spp., cadmium contamination in cacao farms, and metabolic pathways for flavonoid production.

• Key research themes: Cacao genetics, somatic embryogenesis, phytopathology, and agroecology
• Notable collaborations with institutions in Colombia, Peru, and Ivory Coast

Dr. Maximova's work has been recognized through awards including her 2023 Institute of Energy and the Environment Fellowship and 2025 Excellence Recognition. She actively contributes to interdisciplinary initiatives like the Penn State Cacao and Chocolate Research Network.

Recent studies highlight her team's development of the Cacao Gene Atlas (2024), which maps developmental gene networks, and breakthroughs in understanding cadmium dynamics in tropical agroecosystems (2023-2024).