Esteban Rios

Esteban Rios is an Associate Professor of Forage Breeding and Genetics in the Agronomy Department at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. His research addresses the critical need for improved forage cultivars to support livestock production in subtropical regions through breeding programs focused on yield, nutritive value, and climate resilience.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Agronomy, University of Florida, 2016
• M.S. in Agronomy, University of Florida, 2013
• B.S. in Agronomy Engineering, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste (Argentina), 2010

Dr. Rios' program integrates quantitative genetics, genomic prediction, and phenomics to develop improved cultivars of alfalfa, bahiagrass, and other forage species. Key research areas include drought tolerance, apomixis utilization, nutritive value enhancement, and adaptation to Florida conditions.

Recent publications demonstrate innovations in genomic selection for forage species, evaluation of diverse germplasm resources, and development of high-throughput phenotyping methods. Research trends include genomic prediction optimization, genotype-by-environment interaction analysis, and breeding for climate resilience.

Awards:

• Crop Science Society of America Outstanding Paper (Genetic Resources Division, 2020)

He has advised multiple graduate students and secured significant grant funding including a Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation award ($8.7 million consortium). Dr. Rios has released seven forage and turfgrass cultivars and serves in leadership roles including Chair-Elect of the Plant Science Research and Education Unit Advisory Council.