Biography

Dr. Jorge E. Peña is a professor of Entomology and Nematology at the Tropical Research & Education Center of the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), University of Florida in Homestead, Florida, specializing in Tropical Fruit Entomology.

Areas of Expertise

Basic biology of insects, mites and spiders, development of sampling techniques, elucidation of population ecology, and development of biological controls and pest management systems. Arthropod-plant interaction in natural habitats of southern Florida.

Accomplishments

• Developed an integrated pest management program for lime, Citrus aurantifolia, involving management of Polyphagotarsonemuslatus, Prodiplosis longifila, post-bloom fruit drop.
• Pollination and Pest Management of Annona spp.
• Biology, Dynamics and Control of Banana Moth, Opogona sacchariand.
• Rotten Sugar Cane Borer Metamasius sericeus in Bananas.
• Biology and Management of Philephedra tuberculosa in papaya.

Research Responsibilities & Assignment

Integrated pest management of tropical fruit crops.

• 90% Research
• 10% Teaching

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Education

• PhD, Entomology (1983): University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
• MS, Entomology (1979): University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
• BS, Agronomy (1973): Colombia National University

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Employment

• Professor (1997 to present): UF/IFAS - T.R.E.C., Homestead, Florida
• Associate Director (2000 to 2002): UF/IFAS - T.R.E.C., Homestead, Florida
• Associate Professor (1991 to1997): UF/IFAS - T.R.E.C., Homestead, Florida
• Assistant Professor (1986 to 1991): UF/IFAS - T.R.E.C., Homestead, Florida
• Visiting Assistant Professor (1984 to 1986): UF/IFAS - T.R.E.C., Homestead, Florida
• Postdoctoral Fellow (1983 to 1984): UF/IFAS - T.R.E.C., Homestead, Florida
• Research Assistant (1973 to 1977): International Center for Tropical Agriculture, Cali, Colombia

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Grants & Contracts

Total $226,000 over last 5 years.

• PI-USDA-CBAG 1994-1996, Lime Committee 1992-1994, Citrus Commission, 1994-1995, FNGA, 1993-1994.
• Co PI-USDA-CBAG 1992-1994, 1990-1991, USDA-Southern RegionIPM, 1991-1993, AID-PSG, 1992-1994.

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Awards & Recognitions

• Best Paper: Krome Memorial Section, Florida State Horticultural Society, 1992
• Outstanding Service Award: Florida Entomological Society, 1994
• Entomologist of the Year: awarded by the Florida Entomological Society, 1995
• Certificate of Recognition: awarded by the South Florida Tropical Fruit Growers Association, 1996
• Outstanding Paper: Krome Memorial Section, Florida State Horticultural Society, 1999
• University of Florida Research Foundation Professor: 2000
• Annual Achievement Award for Research: The Florida Entomological Society, 2003

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