I was born and raised in Ecuador where I became passionate for agriculture. This passion led me to pursue my undergraduate studies in the Agricultural Science and Production program at Zamorano University. I obtained training experience in different areas of crop and food production, and discovered an immediate love for the area of plant pathology. After graduation, I worked as a research scholar in this area under Dr. Natalia Peres supervision, who then became my M.Sc. and Ph.D. program advisor. During this time, I have obtained research experience working with different pathogens affecting strawberry such as Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum acutatum, Xanthomonas fragariae, Podosphaera aphanis, and Pestalotiopsis spp.
I am a passion driven person focused on continuous learning with primary interest in keep researching the fascinating world of plant pathogens.
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Research
My research focused on the development and validation of a High-Resolution Melting (HRM) assay to detect sdhB mutations in Botrytis cinerea isolates conferring different levels of resistance to succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) fungicides. Since the use of SDHI fungicides is the main control strategy against Botrytis fruit rot, a fast and early detection of resistant B. cinerea isolates is fundamental for the deployment of an effective disease management program in strawberry fields.
Pestalotiopsis leaf and fruit rot caused by Pestalotiopsis spp. became an important new threat to strawberry production in Florida after a disease outbreak in 2018. Thus, part of my research in dedicated to determine the environmental conditions for infection, spread, and survival of the new Neopestalotiopsis sp. on strawberry fields, to evaluate the effectiveness of thermotherapy (heat treatment via aerated steam with the plant sauna) for control of this pathogen, and to investigate an effective mean to reduce pathogen inoculum for the following strawberry season.
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Education
Ph.D. Plant Pathology, University of Florida, 2022
Ms.C. Plant Pathology, University of Florida, May 2018
B.Sc. Agronomy, Zamorano University, December 2012
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Publications
Zuniga, A. I., Souza Oliveira, M., Rebello, C. S., and Peres, N. A. 2020. Baseline sensitivity of Botrytis cinerea isolates from strawberry to isofetamid compared to other SDHIs. Plant Dis. 104:1224-1230.
Amiri, A., Zuniga, A. I., and Peres, N. A. 2020. Mutations in the membrane-anchored SdhC subunit affect fitness and sensitivity to succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors in Botrytis cinerea populations from multiple hosts. Phytopathology 110:327-335
Zuniga, A., Baggio, J., Mertely, J., and Peres, N. 2020. Evaluation of biorational products for control of Botrytis fruit rot on annual strawberry, 2019-20. Plant Dis. Manag. Rep. 14:PF081.
Zuniga, A., Baggio, J., Mertely, J., and Peres, N. 2020. Evaluation of fungicide products for control of Botrytis fruit rot in annual strawberry, 2019-20. Plant Dis. Manag. Rep. 14:PF082.
Amiri, A., Zuniga, A. I., Cordova, L. G., and Peres, N. A. 2019. The importance of selecting appropriate rotation and tank-mix partners for novel SDHIs to enhance Botrytis fruit rot control in strawberry. Plant Dis. Doi: 10.1094/PDIS-07-18-1276-RE.
Zuniga, A., Cordova, L., Mertely, J., and Peres, N. 2019. Evaluation of biorational products for control of Botrytis fruit rot on annual strawberry, 2018-19. Plant Dis. Manag. Rep. 13:PF076.
Amiri, A., Zuniga, A. I., and Peres, N. A. 2018. Potential impact of populations drift on botrytis occurrence and resistance to multi- and single-site fungicides in Florida southern highbush blueberry fields. Plant Dis. Doi: 10.1094/PDIS-11-17-1810-RE
Amiri, A., Zuniga, A. I., and Peres, N. A. 2018. Prevalence of Botrytis cryptic species in strawberry nursey transplants and strawberry and blueberry commercial fields in the eastern United States. Plant Dis. Doi: 10.1094/PDIS-07-17-1065-RE.
Zuniga, A., Cordova, L., Mertely, J., and Peres, N. 2018. Evaluation of fungicide products to control Botrytis fruit rot in annual strawberry, 2017-18. Plant Dis. Manag. Rep. 12:PF074.
Souza Oliveira, M., Amiri, A., Zuniga, A. I., and Peres, N. A. 2017. Sources of Primary Inoculum of Botrytis cinerea and Their Impact on Fungicide Resistance Development in Commercial Strawberry Fields. Plant Dis. 101:10, 1761-1768.
Zuniga, A., Cordova, L., Mertely, J., and Peres, N. 2017. Evaluation of fungicide products to control Botrytis fruit rot in annual strawberry, 2016-17. Plant Dis. Manag. Rep. 11:SMF029. Doi: 10.1094/PDMR11.
Amiri, A., Zuniga, A. I., Mertely, J., and Peres, N. A. 2014. First Report on Resistance to Pyraclostrobin, Thiophanate-methyl, Fenhexamid and Boscalid in Botrytis cinerea from Eucalyptus Seedlings in Florida Greenhouses. Plant Dis. 98:6, 851-851.