About
I am a Ph.D. student working with Dr. Gary E. Vallad at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC). During graduate school, I have gained experience working on bacterial pathogens affecting cruciferous crops, field trial design, pathogen identification, pathogen characterization, and bioinformatics. Before starting graduate school, I worked in crop production, focusing on ornamental and vegetable crops in open fields and greenhouses across the U.S. and Peru. I am particularly interested in integrating molecular and field-based approaches to improve plant disease management.
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Education
2022 - M.S. Plant Pathology, University of Florida, FL.
2017 - B.Sc. Agronomy, Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Peru. -
Research
My research focuses on the dispersal of Xanthomonas euvesicatoria pv. perforans, the causal agent of bacterial spot in tomatoes. Specifically, I investigate the movement of aerosolized bacteria and the role of aerial movement in disease spread and epidemiology.
Additionally, I worked on designing and conducting field trials to assess disease management strategies and the efficacy of control products including plant defense activators and copper-based products.
I also have collaborated with faculty and former students on projects involving multiple commodity crops including tomatoes, cabbage, watermelons, and artichokes, expanding my knowledge in agronomy and experimental design. - Publications