MARIA TATIANA PINA DESFILIS

Maria Tatiana Pina Desfilis is a Professor at the Faculty of Teacher Training, Universitat de València, and an active researcher in agricultural and environmental sciences. She is affiliated with the Department of Experimental A and associated with the research groups GEOLIT (Literary Geographies) and Didactics of Experimental Sciences. She has also served as a Post-Doc at Universitat Jaume I de Castelló in Ciències Agràries i del Medi Natural. Her work bridges science education and applied entomology, particularly in sustainable citrus farming.

• PhD in Biological Sciences, Universitat de València (2007)
• Research focus: biological control, integrated pest management, soil ecology
• Current affiliation: Universitat de València
• Email: tatiana.pina@uv.es

Her research centers on the biological control of key citrus pests such as Tetranychus urticae (two-spotted spider mite) and Ceratitis capitata (Mediterranean fruit fly). She investigates the impact of cover crops, pollen quality, and soil microorganisms on predator-prey dynamics and natural enemy efficacy. Her work includes evaluating acaricides and alternative control methods, such as petroleum-derived oils, and exploring molecular techniques like multiplex PCR to analyze gut contents of predatory mites. She also studies host adaptation in mite populations and the role of mycorrhizal fungi and nitrogen-fixing bacteria in plant-herbivore interactions.

Her publications, primarily from 2001 to 2015, show a consistent focus on sustainable pest control in citrus agroecosystems. Key themes include the enhancement of phytoseiid mite communities, the side effects of chemical treatments on natural enemies, and ecological engineering for pest regulation. Her collaborative work with researchers like Helga Montón, G. Camañes, and Josep A. Jacas highlights her integration into a broader network of agricultural scientists.

Scientific Awards:

• No awards mentioned in the provided texts.

She has contributed to advising and research projects related to pest management, though no formal list of students is available. Her work has been supported through institutional affiliations and collaborative research, particularly in integrated pest management programs in Spanish citrus orchards. She is involved in field surveys, semi-field experiments, and molecular ecological studies.

Laboratories and Research Teams:

• Research group: 'didacies' – Research group in science education and science teacher training
• Research group: GEOLIT – Literary Geographies
• Former Post-Doc at Universitat Jaume I de Castelló
• Collaborative network in citrus pest management and biological control