Present Degree Information:Degree: PhD, Crops
Major Professor: Mallory-Smith, Carol
Specialization: The differences among weed populations of jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrical) regarding competitiveness traits.
Department of Crop and Soil Science
109 Crop Science Building
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR 97331-3002
Office: 325 Crops
Phone: 541-737-7542
Fax: 541-737-1589
E-Mail: 
I arrived to OSU in the spring of 2007 to start working towards a PhD in Weed Science. My general research interest is to better understand the interactions between crop and weeds in the agro-ecosystem, focus on the changes in weed population structure and dynamic due to cropping systems that can be improved or reduce the fitness of the weed. I am currently studying the differences among weed populations of jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrical) regarding competitiveness traits. Jointed goatgrass and wheat cohabited in the fields and under these conditions goatgrass is becoming more competitive. Changes in the weed population could improve or reduce its adaptation and competitive skills affecting its fitness. The understanding of these changes will help in developing better strategies to control it.
Before I came to Oregon, I completed my M.S degree in Agricultural Science and Natural Resources at Universidad de Costa Rica in 2006. My dissertation work was a part of the project Gene flow analysis for assessing Bio-Engineered crops in the tropics. I studied the weedy rice populations of Costa Rica and the gene flow from cultivated rice and weedy rice. Previously I received my undergraduate degree in Agronomy at Instituto Tecnologico de Costa Rica.
Outside of work I like to spend time in handcraft projects, cooking or dancing. I am also starting to appreciate all the great options for outdoor activities that Oregon has to offer.
