Hi, I'm Karl Kunze.
Plant Breeding Scientist, Nature enthusiast, Birdwatcher
What I do
Currently a hot pepper breeder at HM Clause in Davis, CA, developing hybrid pepper varieties — Jalapeños, Serranos, Poblanos/Anchos, Bananas, Anaheims for Mexico, US and North African markets.
Before that, my PhD and postdoc work focused on plant breeding, quantitative genetics, plant pathology, seed dormancy, agronomy and some brewing/food science.
Outside of work
- Birdwatching and getting outside as much as possible
- Gardening
- History
- Traveling — Lots of trips in Europe during my exchange program in the Netherlands. Also been to Japan, South Korea and Chile. Work trips have taken me to Mexico and Spain. When not visiting family, I try to see as much as I can in California.
- Cooking, baking, and the science/art of it
- Snowboarding and cross-country skiing
- Video games
- Building projects like this website. Need to take the internet back from social media
- Using generative AI in a limited but creative way.
Recent posts
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Starting this site
A new home on the internet for travel writeups, photos, and whatever else feels worth writing down.
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Florida
A work trip to Felda, FL.