ERNESTO ROBAYO CAMACHO, Ph.D.
3524 E Palmetto St. Lot 10, Florence, SC 29506
E-mail:
Cell Phone: 843-206-6631
SUMMARY
Biologist with broad agricultural research experience including planning and field implementation for establishment of woody plantations for sustainable biomass production, and pest and diseases of ornamental trees and floriculture crops. High potential to develop excellent leadership managerial skills. Readily available to relocate. F-1 visa currently sponsored by Clemson University (post-completion Optional Practical Training).
SKILLS Adaptable – Assertive – Analytic – Budget Management – Courteous – Database Creation and Management – Dedicated – Enthusiastic – Field Operations Implementation – Forecasting – Internet Searching – Interpersonal Communications – Leadership – Liaison – Logistics – Microsoft Excel – Microsoft Power Point – Microsoft Word – Multiple Project Management – Problem Solving – Process Improvement – Project Planning – Research – Strategic Planning – Team Building – Training – Work Independently
WORK AND RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Research and Development Project Manager Abengoa Energy Crops (AEC) Biomass USA LLC
May-December 2015
Supervised and coordinated various Research and Development (R&D) projects in the southeastern USA, including selection and validation of short rotation woody crops (SRWC) as feedstock for biomass, as well as assisting with planning of sustainability assessments of energy crops in collaboration with academic and private sector partners and federal agencies.
Primary responsibilities and duties:
· Provided assistance with experimental scale field and laboratory trials of SRWC, including preparation of plant samples for compositional analysis and industrial tests, and coordination of operations and methodologies for land preparation, deployment, and sustainability testing of experimental-scale field trials of feedstock plantations for sustainable biomass production.
· Supported the R&D management system in the USA through preparation of weekly technical reports in Spanish and English and monthly budget reconciliation. Where necessary, implemented and adjusted processes for streamlining R&D-related infrastructure.
· Provided support and logistics implementation / management to maximize return on AEC sponsored activities associated with academic / industrial partnerships.
· Acted as the R&D liaison with select faculty, staff and outside individuals / organizations.
· Worked both independently and in conjunction with AEC colleagues (in North and South America) to support multi-faceted R&D innovative projects, focusing on the Southeastern region of the USA.
Entomology Graduate Research Assistant (Ph.D. Dissertation) School of Agriculture, Forest and Environmental Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC
August 2010-May 2015
· Studied the biology, ecology and management of two oak insect pests (soft scale species) in collaboration with other scientists at universities in GA, SC, NC, and VA
· Carried out and extensive bibliographical research about the biology and control of soft scale pests worldwide
· Prepared and published research and extension articles
Assistant Diagnostician Clemson University Plant Problem Clinic (PPC), Pendleton, SC
June 2010-August2010 (Summer Internship)
· Diagnosed plant diseases through application of physiological and morphological techniques
· Aided in developing of the PPC annual report
Graduate Research Assistant Department of Plant Pathology – Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
September 2009 – May 2010
· Tracked Stigmina spp. development on blue spruces at a nursery near Ossowo, MI
· Tested chestnut (Castanea spp.) pellicle extract on inhibition of several types of bacteria and fungi
Graduate Research Assistant (M.Sc. Thesis) Department of Entomology, Soils, and Plant Sciences – Clemson University, Clemson, SC
January 2007-August 2009
· Applied molecular, morphological, and physiological techniques for identification of species of Phytophthora
· Reported 58 new additional associations of Phytophthora with floriculture plants
· Developed a pre-plant sanitation treatment to assess the effect of commercial hypochlorite on hosta and daylily growth
· Helped implementing field and greenhouse tests to evaluate resistance to Phytophthora in different cultivars of petunias and vincas
Research Assistant Virology Research Unit – International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)-Cali, Colombia
October 2004-December 2006
· Designed and established a tissue culture facility
· Applied laboratory techniques for propagation of clean material
· Assisted projects with cassava (Manihot esculenta) in greenhouse and field trials
· Applied molecular and serological diagnostic methods for viruses in fruits (Citrus spp.) and cassava
· Participated in the writing and application for government grants
Visiting Researcher Biotechnology Research Unit – CIAT
November 2003 – September 2004
· Translated and codified a T-DNA rice mutants database
· Applied molecular markers (microsatellites), and other laboratory techniques for analysis of interspecific crosses in rice
Undergraduate Research Assistant (B.Sc. Thesis) Plant Biotechnology laboratory - Biology Department – Pontifical Xaverian University (Bogota, Colombia)
August 2002-August 2003
· Propagated carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.)in vitro
· Applied laboratory techniques and protocols to manage transgenic bacteria
· Applied enzymatic protocols for identification of root colonization in carnation
EDUCATION
Ph.D., Entomology, Clemson University, Clemson, SC May 2015
Dissertation: “Life history and natural enemies of Parthenolecanium spp. in four southeastern states”
Areas of Specialization: Entomology, Ecology
M.Sc., Plant and Environmental Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, August 2009
Thesis: “Diseases of floriculture crops in South Carolina: evaluation of a pre-plant sanitation treatment and identification of species of Phytophthora”
Areas of Specialization: Phytopathology, Phytosanitation
B.Sc., Biology, Pontifical Xaverian University, Bogota, Colombia, August 2003
Thesis: “Colonization of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) roots by Azorhizobium caulinodans ORS571 (pXLGD4) under the effect of flavonoids”
Areas of Specialization: Microbiology, Phytochemistry
HONORS AND AWARDS
· 2014 Clemson University Nettles Research Grant in Applied Entomology
· 2013 J. W. Cochran Memorial Scholarship by the South Carolina Entomological Society
· 2012 Clemson University Alexander P. and Lidia Anderson Fellowship
· 2012 James D. "Denny" Ford Award by the Greater Charleston Pest Control Association
· 2009 Albert Paulus Student Travel Award for the 2009 Annual Meeting of the American Phytopathological Society
· 2008 Clemson University George Miller-Armstrong Plant and Environmental Sciences Foundation Fellowship
· 2007 Clemson University Graduate Dean’s Fellowship
· 2004 Agro-bio National Award for best undergraduate work in Agricultural Biotechnology (Colombia)
· 2003 B.Sc. Honors degree in Biology – Pontifical Xaverian University(Bogota, Colombia)
MEMBERSHIPS
· South Carolina Biomass Council
· Entomological Society of America
· Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society
Ernesto Robayo-Camacho 2