About

I am trained as an Agricultural Engineer with a Masters and PhD in Plant Protection from UNESP-FCA. I am a specialist in sustainable production, working on International Development projects related to biopesticides (entomopathogenic viruses and bacteria), climate-smart agriculture and biological control of arthropods and plant diseases, using participatory approaches to agricultural extension and research. I am heavily involved in plant protection techniques, Integrated Pest Management and Integrated Disease Management approaches, with experience of implementing these techniques, and those of sustainable agricultural practices, on cotton, corn, potato, coffee, tropical fruits and vegetable production. I also work closely with farmers and use participatory approaches to learning to ensure they have the tools and knowledge to grow better crops sustainably.

I started working at CABI in 2005, based in CABI Switzerland as a Project Scientist, subsequently in 2007 at the CABI centre in Trinidad and Tobago, as Coordinator, Sustainable Crop and Pest Management. Currently, I am the Centre Director at CABI’s centre in Brazil and Regional Coordinator for the PlantwisePlus Programme, Latin America and the Caribbean.

I am responsible for the supervision and implementation of international cooperation projects and global programmes in Latin America and the Caribbean, working closely with scientists from different institutions and organizations across the region to do so. I am also responsible for Member Country relations and business development in Latin America.

Through my work, I contribute to the development of goals, objectives, and a business plan to promote the overall achievement of CABI’s mission within the region.

I was the Vice-President (2010-2014) and President (2014-2018) of the IOBC-NTRS and currently, I am part of the IOBC-NTRS Steering Committee as the past President and Advisor (2018-2022).