Marisol Quintanilla

Dr. Marisol Quintanilla is an Assistant Professor and Extension Nematologist in the Department of Entomology at Michigan State University (MSU). She specializes in applied solutions for plant parasitic nematode problems in field, vegetable, fruit, and ornamental crops. Her work integrates research and extension to develop sustainable management practices, including testing biorational and conventional products, while emphasizing soil health and beneficial organism populations.

Education: Doctorate (2009) and Master of Science (2004) in Entomology from MSU, and a Bachelor of Agriculture (2001) from Andrews University. She grew up on a Chilean family farm, fostering her interest in crop protection and agricultural extension.

Research Focus: Applied nematology, soil health, and integrated pest management. Her studies include nematode community structure, disease complexes, and the efficacy of compost and manure-based amendments. She collaborates with faculty and extension agents to disseminate findings through workshops, publications, and field demonstrations.

Grants & Impact: Awarded a $750K grant to address potato early die complex. Her work on soybean cyst nematode resistance management and ornamental plant nematode control has been widely adopted. Recent projects include pre-plant soil treatments in cherry orchards and hop cyst nematode diagnostics using PCR.

Outreach: Leads extension programs to educate growers on nematode exclusion, host resistance, and sustainable practices. Her resources include the Michigan Hop Management Guide and Hosta Pests and Diseases bulletin, accessed over 11,000 times.

Labs & Teams: Directs the MSU Applied Nematology Lab, focusing on acoustic signatures and soil microbiome interactions. Collaborates with the Soybean Cyst Nematode Coalition and the Michigan Wheat Program to address regional agricultural challenges.