by Brad Buck, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
Daniel Carrillo (right), PhD student, and Dr. Jorge Pena, professor of entomology and nematology, inspecting greenhouse plants for Red Palm Mite. (UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones.)
A global organization has recognized a University of Florida entomologist for his volunteer work in Myanmar, where he helped tropical food growers improve their pest management practices.
Daniel Carrillo, an assistant professor of entomology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, was one of 126 volunteers to win the Winrock International President’s Volunteer Service Award.
Carrillo, a faculty member at the Tropical Research and Education Center, contributed more than 100 hours on international assignments for Winrock’s U.S. Agency for International Development-funded Farmer-to-Farmer Program in Myanmar.
Myanmar growers learned how to identify and monitor pest affecting mango and avocado, and to implement the best management practices to keep damaging pests in check, Carrillo said.
He said his May 2016 assignment gave him a unique opportunity for professional development because Myanmar is part of the Indo-Burma region, the center of the origin of mango.
“Learning about the great diversity of insects and mites that have co-evolved with this crop for thousands of years equipped me with valuable information to prepare for potential new pest incursions into Florida, where mango is an important fruit,” Carrillo said. “It also helped prepare me to start finding potential biocontrol projects.”
Established in 2003, the award is available annually to persons, groups and families who have met or exceeded requirements for volunteer service and have demonstrated exemplary citizenship through volunteering.
Inspired by its namesake, Winthrop Rockefeller, Winrock combines scientific and technical expertise with entrepreneurial innovation to deliver market-based solutions that improve lives around the world, according to www.winthrop.org. Winrock’s mission is to empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity and sustain natural resources across the globe.
The President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation issues the award.
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