Category: AGRICULTURE

         GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT         Summary     Dedicated professional with excellent technical, analytical and communication skills demonstrated in ten years of experience in the agricultural  sector, specifically in the Research and Development division with an extensive knowledge of Biological control and identification of insect in the field of Entomology        Highlights         Background in biological control using member from the Coleopteran family of insect    Area wide Surveys and data collection for research     Team player  Expert in data analysis  Data presentation  Experimental design/implementation           Accomplishments     Successfully determine the biology, reproduction and the effect of chemicals on the  Thalassa montezumae, a  predatory beetle of the new invasive scale insect  Phalacrococcus howertoni  in South Florida.   Integrated Pest Management Workshop Identification of Scales Mealybugs and Natural enemies.  Identification of Mites of economic importance to the Caribbean and their Natural enemies   Training Seminar on Management of Protected Cultivation Insect.    Identification of Nematodes for Professional Consultants   Green house training course.       Experience      Company Name    City  ,   State    GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT   01/2013   to   12/2015       Assist with various research project in the Center of Biological control  lab.  Developing a potential  biological control for Croton Scales (Phalacrococcus howertoni).  Maintain culture of Croton scales and  Thalassa montezumae  under green house and laboratory conditions,          Company Name    City  ,   State    PLANT PROTECTION OFFICER - Entomology   10/2011   to   12/2012       Rear  Parasitoids wasp (  Anagyrus kamali ) and release in areas affected by the Pink Hibiscus Mealy bug ( Maconellicoccus hirsutus)   with 95% success rate and determined parasitism levels at each site.  Record and analyze data  Maintain cultures of Pink Hibiscus Mealybug and  Anangyrus kamali   at rearing facility.  Develop solutions for pest problems in yam (Dioscorea spp.) in Jamaica Establish and conduct field evaluations with treatments against yam nematodes.  Develop Citrus  Greening Management  Programme in Jamaica  in collaboration with  Food and Agriculture Organization and Government of Jamaica Components.  Assist in the Island wide survey for incidence of citrus greening and parasitism levels of  Tamarixia  radiate  .  Assist  the monitoring programme for the Area-wide Integrated Management Systems (AIMS) for Citrus greening in citrus orchards.  Developed management program for the Beet Army Worm (Spodoptera exigua ) and monitoring of farms in affected parishes.  Establish & maintain Beet Army Worm culture in the laboratory.  Conduct insecticide efficacy trial.  Implement Integrated Pest Management of major pests of crops under Protective Cultivation in Jamaica   Data generated on temperature, humidity and pest status in greenhouse crop.          Company Name    City  ,   State    FIELD AND LAB RESEARCH ASSISTANT   12/2002   to   10/2011       Received diagnostic samples from extension officers and farmers.  Prepared samples for diagnostics.  Identification of insect specimen in the plant clinic  Reared and preserved specimens as necessary.  Established experimental plots.  Visited field for prescribed observations and data collection as was set out in proposals.  Monitored on and off station experimental plots for infestations.  Maintained inventory list, materials and lab space.  Worked on all research projects in the unit.  Assisted in Crop and Plant Protection Unit  Integrated Pest Management Systems developing on several crops threshold base pesticides.  Population dynamic study on Red Palm Mites and Broad Mites.          Education      Master of Science  :  Entomology - Qualifying   2015     Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University  ,   City  ,   State  ,   United States             Bachelor of Science  :  Environmental Science   2011     Knox Community College  ,   City  ,     Jamaica             Associate of Science  :  General Agriculture   2006     College of Agriculture Science & Education  ,   City  ,     Jamaica            Affiliations     Entomological Society of America (ESA)  Florida Entomological Society  Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University ESA debate team   Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANNRS)       Awards & Publications     Reuben Capelouto Foundation and William L.Peters Memorial scholarship awardee 2013-2014   2014. Monsanto 1890 Student Leadership Event participant ,St.Louis Missouri   2014. Mentoring at Purdue Summer Scholarship Program participant, West Lafayette, Indiana.    2014. ESA(Entomological Society of America). Annual Meeting. Portland, Oregon. Developing a Biological Control Measure for the Management of an Invasive Scale Insect,   Phalacrococcus howertoni  (Hemiptera,Coccidae) in South Florida "Published Abstract.   2014. ESA (Entomological Society of America). Annual Meeting. Portland, Oregon. “What is the single best tool to reduce malaria cases throughout the world? “Published Article         Skills     Data collection, Maintain inventory, Statistical Analysis, Prepare samples  Microsoft office, Statistical Analysis Software (SAS)