Masters Student       diaz.jessica@ufl.edu

Jessica Diaz

 

 

Jessica is a first generation Cuban-American raised in Miami, FL. She obtained her A.A. degree in Biology from Miami Dade Honors College in 2017, and her B.S. degree in Entomology and Nematology from the University of Florida in 2020. She worked as a laboratory technician for Dr. Gary Steck and Dr. Marc Branham at the Florida Department of Agriculture’s Division of Plant Industries. Her four years at DPI were spent on a Farm Bill funded project whose goal was to increase the capabilities for identification of fruit flies, at all life stages, by state and federal agencies. Her role in the project consisted of larval morphometrics, permanent slide mounting, microscopy imaging, and databasing collection specimens. 

Jessica is currently working towards her Masters degree. Her thesis is focused on the integrated pest management of Bemisia tabaci, more commonly known as the silverleaf whitefly, in fruits and vegetables. She will be evaluating the efficacy of reduced-risk insecticides against squash pests and investigate their compatibility with beneficial insects, such as Delphastus catalinae and Amblyseius swirskii. Her research interests include: applied entomology, optical microscopy, IPM, and sustainable agriculture.

In her personal life, Jessica enjoys reading, playing Pokemon, and spending time with friends and family.