Maria (Tina) has been working with APCD as a “Tissue Prep. Supervisor” for over 22 years. In these years, she has worked in different departments throughout the agency. Her main role is to process plant samples submitted to the “Department of Laboratory” for pathogen detection using ELISA and PCR. She has been also constantly helping with proofreading of maps and updating the ownership in access, excel, and word databases. Initially, she started working in Pounding Lab, for seven years, where she did preparations for conducting ELISA. She then moved to automation department as an Admin Clerk-Lab, and she worked on excel and access for the database.  She was born in Los Angeles, and she is a quick learner. She attended Woodlake Adult School for her GED. Here goal here at APCD is to continue to grow the knowledge on pest detection and contribute towards protection of the citrus groves. She wants to be a great asset to the agency and wants to retire with it.