Ricardo Hernandez is an assistant professor at North Carolina State University in the Horticultural Science program where he directs research in areas including horticultural lighting. Using the basis of plant physiology, engineering, and entrepreneurship the research program investigates environmental manipulation to improve plant yield, efficiency, and profitability. The research results are directly translated to indoor production in greenhouses, high-tunnels, tissue culture, and plant factories/vertical farms. He is also co-founder of Grafted Growers and Sustainable Indoor Growing Systems.