Lia is an experienced field researcher with a B.S. in Agronomic Engineering from São Paulo State University (Brazil) and both a M.S. degree and a Ph.D. degree in Entomology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Her graduate research focused on the physiological responses of an aphid-tolerant soybean variety to aphid herbivory which provided insights for evaluating and deploying insect-tolerant cultivars to soybean farmers and contributed to increased sustainability and profitability of farming systems. While serving as a postdoctoral researcher at the Pesticide Application Technology Lab (PAT) at the UNL West Central Research and Extension Center, Lia worked with regulatory environmental policies by conducting and analyzing several studies evaluating pesticide drift from novel chemistries in agriculture.
Prior to joining Exacto, Lia focused on data management, analysis, and reporting of replicated field trials for product development throughout the U.S. with Tria Global Solutions, an agricultural business focused on soil management technology and sustainable stewardship of natural resources.
As a member of Exacto’s Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Team, Lia is responsible for planning and implementing both greenhouse and field studies to for the development of new technology as well as improvement existing formulations. Lia started with Exacto in 2021.
Oil and water might not mix alone, but with the right emulsifier, they can be combined into a stable emulsion. The fascinating science behind emulsion stability reveals how adding the right emulsifier to a pesticide tank mix can ensure a uniform and consistent application.
Formulation understanding begins in the lab, where researchers study how liquids behave under specific conditions. This knowledge aids users in predicting real-world product performance. Exacto Chemist Chris Walter discusses surface tension in the Research to Real-World series, helping applicators grasp the importance of surfactant and wetting agent chemistry.
As the heat of summer nears, so does the threat of fungal diseases infecting turf. Planning a fungicide application with adjuvants based on environmental conditions and the turf ecosystem can improve fungicide effectiveness.
Understanding formulations starts in the lab. Knowing the specifications of a product can help users understand how they use may act and perform in the real-world. Exacto Chemist, Chris Walter, explains Contact Angle to help applicators better understand the chemistry behind surfactants, sticker spreaders, and wetting agents in this edition of the Research to Real-World series.
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