I graduated with a degree in Agricultural Engineering from the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV). My professional journey began with a focus on the biological control of fusarium using mycorrhizal fungi. Following that, I was fortunate to be granted a scholarship in the acarology laboratory at UFV, where I worked on a research project involving predatory mites in organic tomato crop systems. This project was a collaborative effort between UFV and Koppert Netherlands, a public-private partnership.
Subsequently, I held a PIBIT/CNPQ initiation scholarship, where I made contributions to the research development of a Biofactory for predatory mites in small rural properties. As part of my graduation project, I conducted research on the use of predatory mites for the biological control of thrips in hemp plants.
Currently, I am participating in the postgraduate program in Entomology at the Federal University of Viçosa. Under the guidance of Professor Eugênio E. de Oliveira, I am working in the area of bioprospecting for plant molecules and compounds with selective insecticidal activity in Brazilian agricultural pests. My research aims to identify and explore the potential of these natural compounds.
Key interests: Biological control, Biopesticides, Regenerative agriculture, Sustentability, Food production
Contact: leonardo.francesco@ufv.br
CV: http://lattes.cnpq.br/4889276299285924
BraIN&Phy Lab 