Valentina is a first-year Ph.D. Student in the Horticulture and Agronomy program. She received her B.S. in Agronomy from Universidad de la República (Uruguay) where she also worked in the Soils and Water Department on nutrient management. Following that she received a Spec. in Digital Fabrication and Innovation from UTEC (Uruguay). She also served the local government advising on environmental aspects of her region.

She is interested in meeting the world's future food and sustainability needs. Her research at UC Davis with Dr. Pittelkow is focused on the use of organic fertilizers and how they could contribute to the long-term storage of carbon in soils. Her objectives are to evaluate and quantify the impacts of these practices on agricultural land in an effort to decrease synthetic nitrogen applications.

With a strong background in agronomy, she is excited to pursue her career as a research scientist. She is looking forward to continuing to work toward solutions that promote sustainable agriculture practices and ensure food security. In addition to her research, she has a strong interest in the intersection of technology and agriculture. Her Spec. has given her a unique view of how emerging technologies can improve farming practices and sustainability.