Dr. Hautea is an expert in plant genetics and crop biotechnology and is known for pioneering the use of molecular markers for plant breeding and genetics resources at the University of the Philippines, Los Baño (UPLB). As project leader of the Bt Eggplant Project at UPLB, she made breakthroughs on transgenic eggplant varieties that included publishing the first publicly available data on Bt eggplant. In 2021, she was recognized as one of Asia’s most outstanding researchers.

She recently retired as a Research Professor at the Genetics Laboratory of the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB) and as a Full Professor of Crop Science, Plant Breeding and Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the Institute of Crop Science (ICropS) and UPLB Graduate School (UPLB-GS). She previously served as director of the IPB from 2001 to 2006.

She continues to be active in teaching, research and public service serving as an Adjunct Professor of ICropS and UPLB-GS, as a Research Consultant/Adviser for genetics and biotechnology and biosafety research projects of UPLB and other national government agencies, and as officer or member of various international organizations involved in biotechnology, biosafety and regulations.