About Me

I have committed my education and career to studying insects, with a primary focus on integrated pest management of arthropods in agriculture.

I am an entomologist with expertise in insect field ecology and integrated pest management. Currently, I am pursuing a PhD in Biology, using molecular techniques to identify, analyze, and manage the genetic diversity and pesticide resistance of spider mites in southwestern Ontario. My research focuses on characterizing new species and developing advanced RNAi-based alternatives to tailor sustainable pest and resistance management strategies.

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Research and fieldwork

Education

PhD in Biology 2023–Current

The University of Western Ontario (UWO)

Thesis: Integrated Pest Management of Spider Mites

Supervisor: Dr. Vojislava Grbić

MSc in Entomology 2021–2023

University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL)

Thesis: Soybean Gall Midge Abundance

Supervisor: Dr. Justin McMechan

BSc in Agronomy 2016–2020

Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV)

Thesis: Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) Sampling

Supervisor: Dr. Marcelo Picanco

Gallery

Some photos of my journey.

Presenting part of my master’s thesis
Presenting part of my master’s thesis during the Annual Entomology North Central Branch Meeting in Oklahoma.
Presenting a poster
Presenting a poster on the characterization of spider mite species and resistance status in Ontario at the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Conference.
My family and I enjoying what we love most: nature.
My family and I enjoying what we love most: nature. Left to right: my partner, Floki, and I kayaking on Eugenia Lake, Ontario.
Inside a cloud of caddisflies
Inside a cloud of caddisflies on a night of insect blacklighting at Indian Cave State Park, Nebraska, near the Missouri River, USA.
Outreaching with the Bruner Entomology Club
Outreaching with the Bruner Entomology Club during the 2022 Bug Fest at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA.
Enjoying a hike with great friends
Enjoying a hike with great friends at Emerald Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Left to right: Matheus Sacilotto, me, Alisson Silva, and Ana Paula Santana.
Collecting insects
Collecting insects with great friends at Indian Cave State Park, Nebraska, near the Missouri River, USA. Left to right: Earl, Raveneet, Banet, and me.
Two illustrations I made
Two illustrations I made, featuring Drosophila melanogaster on the left and a tiger swallowtail on the right. Indian ink on paper.
A beautiful weevil
A beautiful weevil I drew for a friend. Indian ink on paper.
Praying mantis with open wings
Praying mantis with open wings, drawn in a friend’s graduation scrapbook. Indian ink on paper.
Hiking
Enjoying the cold waters and nice hiking in Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil, with great company.
Recognition for an illustration
Proud and happy to receive recognition for an illustration I made for a great friend.
Collecting spider mites
Collecting spider mites in a soybean field. Happy as if I'd struck gold.
SGM life cycle
Life cycle of the soybean gall midge that I illustrated for my master's thesis.
Grbić Lab team
Members of the Grbić Lab.

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