AVILA QUEZADA, GRACIELA DOLORES

Education, Experience and Academic Achievements
o Research on phytopathogens for more then 32 years, beginning with her undergraduate thesis work focused on the control of Puccinia graminis avenae, 1992.
o PhD in Plant Pathology from the Postgraduate College (Colegio de Postgraduados), Mexico State. May 31, 2002.
Experience
o Researcher at Centro de Investigacion en alimentación y desarrollo (CIAD) Chihuahua, Mex. 2002-2013
o Professor and Researcher at the Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua (UACH). Facultad de Ciencias Agrotecnológicas. Since: 01 Agosto 2013 – current. Mexico.
o Director of Academic Cooperation, in the Coordination of Science and Technology, Presidency of Mexico 2016-2018. Mexico City.
o Executive Secretary of the National System for Research and Technology Transfer (SNITT), Ministry of Agriculture (SAGARPA) 2015-2016. Mexico city.
o Director Research Center for Food and Development in Delicias, Chihuahua, Mexico. Researcher 2002-2013. 2003-2009.
o President of the Mexican Society of Phytopathology
o Vice-president of the National Phytosanitary Advisory Council (CONACOFI)

Awards and honors
- Premio Nacional de Parasitología Agrícola 2023. México, por Ingenieros Agrónomos Parasitólogos.
o Chihuahuan Award for Outstanding Woman in Science 2011. "Esther Orozco". Mexico. Given by the Congress of Chihuahua State LXIII Legislature.

o Third place in research production in 2009; Third place in 2005 and second place in 2004 in the Research Center for Food and Development.

o Award Postgraduate College (Colegio de Postgraduados) 2000 to the Avocado Research Group. Mexico State.

o Member of the national system of researchers of Mexico, level 2.

o Senior editor of the Mexican Journal of Phytopathology https://rmf.smf.org.mx/

Dr. Avila-Quezada is affiliated with the UACH, where she has made significant advancements in phytopathogen control techniques using nanotechnology. Her work has addressed phytosanitary challenges and she also leads research groups comprising both Mexican and international researchers.
She believes that new knowledge generated should be applied in agriculture, which forms the foundation of human settlements. Over the past 14 years, she has fostered strong collaborations with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Senasica. She has actively engaged with the Mexican Society of Phytopathology, providing consultations, extensions, organizing courses for phytosanitary specialists, facilitating research visits, and supporting the National Phytosanitary Advisory Council (Conacofi).
Her interdisciplinary research focuses on chili pepper, apple, and pecan trees. Through her involvement in various science communication events and radio programs, she ensures that her research findings reach both the productive sector and the general public.
Additionally, Dr. Avila-Quezada has supervised bachelor's, master's, and doctoral theses, demonstrating her commitment to mentoring the next generation of scientists. Her research impact is evident from her Scopus H-index of 21 and her publications in journals known for scientific rigor. Notably, her recent article was published in "Trends in Plant Science," which has an impressive impact factor of 22.
Dr. Avila-Quezada's contributions extend beyond academic publications. She has authored and co-authored over 60 indexed scientific articles in Scopus or Conacyt, written four books tailored for agricultural producers, one book published by CRC-Taylor & Francis, and contributed to eight book chapters. This extensive work underscores her role in advancing the phytosanitary status of the country, particularly in the areas of diagnostics, prevention, and control. Furthermore, her research findings are disseminated through radio broadcasts.
Throughout her academic and research career, Dr. Avila-Quezada has undertaken academic and research visits in six countries. She recently coined the term "Nanophytopathology" (Avila-Quezada and Rai, 2023), highlighting her ongoing innovation in the field.
Dr. Avila-Quezada has directed more than 12 research projects, including her current supervision of two projects. One of these projects focuses on utilizing metallic nanoparticles for controlling phytopathogenic microorganisms. This endeavor involves collaboration with esteemed researchers from the Faculties of the UACH, as well as CIAD and SGB Amravati University in India.
Dr. Avila-Quezada received a prestigious invitation from the Mexican Federal Government to serve as the Executive Secretary of SNITT.
During her tenure as the Executive Secretary of SNITT, she compiled and edited the National Agenda for Research, Innovation, and Transfer of Agriculture for the Ministry of Agriculture in Mexico (SAGARPA) in 2015. www.gob.mx/cms/uploads/attachment/file/271099/SNITT