Education:
1992: Ph.D. Natural Sciences (Parasitology), National University of La Plata, Argentina.
1985: MS, Zoology, University of La Plata, Argentina.

Area of Interest:
My research spans the fields of Nematology, Entomology and Plant Pathology encompassing classical and molecular based systematics, ecology, biodiversity and evolution, and the development of biological control strategies using nematodes to control economically important pests.

Research Goals:
My current research interests are: nematode systematics (relationships between morphological and molecular evolution). Current phylogenetic studies of nematodes involve the use of nucleotide sequence data (nuclear and mitochondrial genes) and morphological traits to infer relationships for insect-parasitic, entomopathogenic and free-living nematodes. Another area of interest is the biodiversity of nematodes and their role in ecosystem function. I am actively engaged in survey and inventory projects in different geographic regions of the world, which allow me to make significant contributions toward biological conservation and restoration efforts. These projects require continued research into improving molecular techniques by which nematode species are recovered. Additionally, I' m interested in studying the ecology and genetics of nematode populations from agricultural and natural ecosystems. Host-parasite relationships and interactions (including plant and insect-parasitic nematodes), such as phoresis, facultative, obligate parasitism, and pathogenesis. I also have an active research program on insect pathology and the use of entomopathogenic nematodes as biological control agents. The overall objectives of this program are to develop entomopathogens as effective biocontrol agents against major agricultural pests, and to develop a basic understanding of the ecology and behavior of insect parasitic nematodes.

My emphasis is a multidisciplinary approach maintaining an active collaboration in the areas of entomology, plant pathology, and molecular and classical systematics.

Teaching Responsibilities:
Biology and Characterization of Plant Pathogenic Agents (Plant Parasitic Nematode section) (PLP 451/551)
International Course on Systematics and Biology of Nematodes Parasites and Associates of Insects
Costa Rican Course March 22 - 26, 2004
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