Greater Chicago Area
Agronomist and PhD in Plant Pathology with over a decade of experience leading multidisciplinary R&D teams in North and South America. My career focuses on phenotyping for disease resistance in soybeans, corn, and cotton, spanning from research with native traits in breeding programs to the development of transgenics in biotechnology projects. I combine scientific expertise with strategic leadership, managing research portfolios and cross-functional projects using Agile, Lean Six Sigma, and ISO quality systems to drive performance and compliance globally. Throughout my career, I have earned various awards and recognitions, including the Syngenta Award for Excellence in Knowledge and Data Management (2022) and the Syngenta Customer Passion Award (2020). In 2018, I was the researcher responsible for discovering the efficacy of BASF's GMB151 (Nemasphere®) event against soybean lesion nematode (Pratylenchus sp.), directly contributing to its development and positioning strategy. Additionally, I was the first author of one of the most-read Plant Science articles in 2017 in the journal Scientific Reports (Nature Publishing). As a leader, I have a track record of building high-performance teams, promoting teamwork, sense of belonging, and mutual trust. With over 10 years working on industry projects, I have developed assertive communication skills that allow me to translate technical-scientific terms into simple language, ensuring information flows smoothly between research, development, and regulatory areas, as well as in training commercial teams. Keywords: Trait Assessment, Plant Health, Plant Protection, Plant Pathology, Plant Disease, Nematology, Trait Development, Lab Quality Management, Process Improvement, Leader, Leadership, Team Management, Communication, People Development, Career Development, Scientist.
Strategic leader directing a scientific team across Syngenta Seeds North America, selecting multi-disease resistance and accelerating the development of high-performing soybean varieties. Drives portfolio optimization through data-driven selection methodology, enhancing genetic advancement while ensuring commercial alignment with market demands across diverse growing regions. Key Milestones • Implemented the Plant Pathology and Entomology at the new R&D center in Malta-IL. • Established KPIs and improved the field trials analysis for soybean disease, reducing errors and strengthening statistical confidence in soybean disease resistance evaluations.
Led the phenotyping strategy for soybean pathology and nematology on Germplasm Development as well as for entomology for GMO trait development projects in Syngenta Seeds North America. Hugo provided, organized, and took part in developing resource demand plans for Trait Assessment in the US. Additionally, Hugo liaised with the North America Seeds Development team to coordinate planning cycles and budgeting processes. Key Milestones • Led the redesign of disease screening processes in North America and LATAM, earning the "2022 Syngenta Outstanding Knowledge & Data Mgt Award". • Implemented Key Process Indicators for the Plant Pathology and Nematology programs, increasing the data control and data assurance for new soybean product launches.
Managed the resistance screening pipeline against the main diseases and nematodes on soybean and corn in Brazil. Scientific projects were conducted on commercial breeding programs, the discovery of native and transgenic traits as well as the development of phenotyping data set for molecular marker development. Additionally, Hugo develops and sustains a suitable structure for management, consultation, decision-making, and communication with key stakeholders. Key Milestones: • Supported the Syngenta-Nidera pathology breeding programs merge in Brazil, connecting stakeholders and unifying WoW. • Increased the number of diseases tested by 200% and set Data Quality KPIs, earning the "2020 Syngenta Passion for Customers Award". • Established the Plant Pathology program, implementing standardized protocols and processes while developing a highly skilled team that ensured the continuity of the operations.
Led activities about breeding, discovery breeding, and trait development demands on nematology. Leader for plant disease clinic, and laboratory quality management (supplies, equipment, protocols, records, calibration, safety guideline, stewardship). Key milestones • Scientist who discovered the efficacy of Nemasphere® (the first-ever transgenic trait for nematodes) against the soybean lesion nematode, Pratylenchus brachyurus, shaping the development roadmap and global commercialization strategy for this groundbreaking BASF GM trait. • Spearheaded implementation of ISO-compliant Quality Management System (ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 17025:2017) for laboratory and greenhouse operations, increasing traceability and operational efficiency. • Delivered a digital SCN assessment, increasing accuracy of nematode counts by eliminating manual counting errors and reducing in 11x the amount of time required for nematode quantification.
Developed screenings for resistance to plant-parasitic nematodes on soybean and cotton crops. Hugo focused on developing new methodologies aiming to optimize the screenings procedures as well as to reduce the time needed to deliver the results for the breeders. Furthermore, he managed the Quality Control of Plant Pathology lab as well as the Plant Disease Clinic. Key Milestones • Implemented standardized screening protocols to ensure consistent evaluation of nematode resistance traits and increasing the quality control and quality assurance. • Assessed >5,000 soybean varieties for resistance to key parasitic nematodes: Soybean Cyst Nematode (Heterodera glycines), Root-knot Nematode (Meloidogyne spp.), Root-lesion Nematode (Pratylenchus brachyurus).
Hugo worked in other research lines, including diagnosis, epidemiology, and control of postharvest rots, the genetic variability of plant pathogens, pathogen adaptive potential, and chemical control of apple diseases. In addition to these research themes, Hugo performed phytopathological clinic, carrying diagnostics for the growers in a range of crops. Key Milestones • Implemented a brand new research line at EPAGRI, developing studies about apple post-harvest diseases and providing insights on the management for these high-impact diseases. • Establishment of international partnerships with European Institutes EMR (United Kingdom) and Agroscope (Switzerland), aiming to develop studies about pathogen's genetic variability on apple crop.