ERNESTO ROBAYO-CAMACHO, Ph.D.

Florence, SC 29506
E-mail: ernesto.robayo@gmail.com
Cell Phone: 843-206-6631
SUMMARY
Biologist with a M.Sc. in Plant and Environmental Sciences and a Ph.D. in Entomology from Clemson University.
Graduated with honors for Bachelors degree and won a National award for best undergraduate work in
Biotechnology. During graduate studies was also recognized with a series of awards during graduate studies.
Academic background included pest and diseases in forests, turf grass and agricultural crops, and developed
research working with ornamental plants, mainly landscape trees and floriculture crops. Wide agricultural
research experience, including implementation of procedures at experimental field-scale trials for
establishment of woody plantations for sustainable biomass production. High potential to develop excellent
leadership managerial skills. Bilingual (native Spanish). Readily available to relocate.

SKILLS Research Project Management Biology Agriculture Horticulture Plant Pathology Entomology
Integrated Pest Management Renewable Energy Bioenergy Biomass Woody Crops Sustainability Field
Operations Regulatory Compliance Environmental Policy Budget Management Client Liaison
Interpersonal Communication Logistics Microsoft Office Internet Searching Databases Versatility
Leadership Multi-tasker Strategic Planning Problem Solving Adaptable personality Assertive Analytic
Problem Solving Process Improvement Project Planning Product Management Work Independently

WORK AND RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Research and Development Project Manager
Abengoa Energy Crops (AEC) Biomass USA LLC
May-December 2015
Supervised and coordinated various Research and Development (R&D) projects in the southeastern
USA, including selection and validation of short rotation woody crops as feedstock for biomass, as well
as assisting with planning of sustainability assessments of energy crops in collaboration with academic
and private sector partners and federal agencies.
Primary responsibilities and duties:

Supported the R&D management system in the USA through preparation of weekly technical
reports in Spanish and English and monthly budget reconciliation. Where necessary,
implemented and adjusted processes for streamlining R&D-related infrastructure.
Provided assistance with experimental scale field trials of energy crops, including
coordination of operations and methodologies for land preparation, deployment, and testing
of feedstock plantations for sustainable biomass production.
Worked both independently and in conjunction with AEC colleagues (in North and South
America) to support multi-faceted R&D innovative projects, focusing on the Southeastern
region of the USA.
Provided support and logistics implementation / management to maximize return on AEC
sponsored activities associated with academic / industrial partnerships.
Acted as the R&D liaison with select faculty, staff and outside individuals / organizations.
Outlined experimental procedures to test indicators of sustainability, including biodiversity, in
collaboration with other scientists from academia and federal agencies.

Entomology Graduate Research Assistant (Ph.D. Dissertation)

School of Agriculture, Forest and Environmental Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC
August 2010-May 2015
Ernesto Robayo-Camacho

Studied the biology, ecology and management of the oak lecanium scale, Parthenolecanium
quercifex (Fitch), and the European fruit lecanium scale, Parthenolecanium corni (Bouch)
Identified and determined seasonal activity of parasitoids and predators of oak lecanium scale
on willow oaks in collaboration with other scientists at universities in GA, SC, NC, and VA
Carried out and extensive bibliographical research about the biology and control of soft scale
pests worldwide
Prepared and published research and extension articles

Assistant Diagnostician
Clemson University Plant Problem Clinic (PPC), Pendleton, SC
June 2010-August2010
Diagnosed plant diseases through application of physiological and morphological techniques
Aided in developing of the PPC annual report
Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Plant Pathology Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
September 2009 May 2010
Tracked Stigmina spp. development on blue spruces at a nursery near Ossowo, MI
Tested chestnut (Castanea spp.) pellicle extract on inhibition of several types of bacteria and
fungi
Evaluated the effect of storage time for susceptibility of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) to Rhizopus
spp.
Graduate Research Assistant (M.Sc. Thesis)
Department of Entomology, Soils, and Plant Sciences Clemson University, Clemson, SC
January 2007-August 2009
Applied molecular, morphological, and physiological techniques for identification of species
of Phytophthora
Reported 58 new additional associations of Phytophthora with floriculture plants
Developed a pre-plant treatment to assess the effect of commercial hypochlorite on hosta
and daylily growth
Helped implementing field and greenhouse tests to evaluate resistance to Phytophthora in
different cultivars of petunias and vincas
Research Assistant
Virology Research Unit International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)-Cali, Colombia
October 2004-December 2006
Designed and established a tissue culture facility
Applied laboratory techniques for propagation of clean material
Assisted projects with cassava (Manihot esculenta) in greenhouse and field trials
Applied molecular and serological diagnostic methods for viruses in fruits (Citrus spp.) and
cassava
Aided in the design and maintenance of trials in the field for cross resistance in Citrus spp.
Participated in the writing and application for government grants

Visiting Researcher
Biotechnology Research Unit CIAT
November 2003 September 2004
Translated and codified a T-DNA rice mutants database

Ernesto Robayo-Camacho

Applied molecular markers (microsatellites), and other laboratory techniques for analysis of
interspecific crosses in rice

Undergraduate Research Assistant (B.Sc. Thesis)

Plant Biotechnology laboratory - Biology Department Pontifical Xaverian University (Bogota,
Colombia)
August 2002-August 2003
Propagated carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.)in vitro
Applied laboratory techniques and protocols to manage transgenic bacteria
Applied enzymatic protocols for identification of root colonization in carnation
Undergraduate Research
Colombian National Herbarium - Institute of Sciences - National University (Bogota, Colombia)
February-June 2002
Taxonomic research on the genus Amaranthus (Amaranthaceae) for Colombia
o Devised keys to the level of species for field identification
o Investigated distribution in Latin America
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Teaching Assistant in Botany
Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Herbarium
(Bogot, Colombia).
August-November 2001
Managed Department laboratories
Evaluated student learning through evaluations and homework
Provided assistance to undergraduate students in and out class and labs
Gave lectures on various topics
Tutor/Teacher
Provided additional assistance for students at undergraduate level (Biochemistry, Biological
Sciences, Statistics)
Tutored privately middle school students in subjects related to biological sciences

EDUCATION
Ph.D., Entomology, Clemson University, Clemson, SC May 2015
Dissertation: Life history and natural enemies of Parthenolecanium spp. in four southeastern states
Areas of Specialization: Entomology, Ecology
M.Sc., Plant and Environmental Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, August 2009
Thesis: Diseases of floriculture crops in South Carolina: evaluation of a pre-plant sanitation treatment
and identification of species of Phytophthora
Areas of Specialization: Phytopathology, Phytosanitation
B.Sc., Biology, Pontifical Xaverian University, Bogota, Colombia, August 2003
Thesis: Colonization of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) roots by Azorhizobium caulinodans ORS571
(pXLGD4) under the effect of flavonoids
Areas of Specialization: Microbiology, Phytochemistry

Ernesto Robayo-Camacho

PUBLICATIONS
Peer reviewed

E. Robayo Camacho and J-H Chong. 2015. General Biology and Current Management
Approaches of Soft Scale Pests (Hemiptera: Coccidae), Journal of Integrated Pest
Management 6:17. DOI: 10.1093/jipm/pmv016.
Chong, J.-H. and E. Robayo Camacho. 2014. Distribution, host plants and life history of
Melanaspis deklei (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Diaspididae) in South Carolina, U.S.A. Acta Zoologica
Bulgarica Suppl. 6: 13-19.

Trade journals

Robayo Camacho, E. and Chong, J-H. 2014. Florida wax scale. The South Carolina Nurseryman.
November/December (in press).
Robayo Camacho, E. and Chong, J.-H. 2014. Camellia scale, Lepisosaphes camelliae. The South
Carolina Nurseryman. May/June, pp. 18-19.
Robayo Camacho, E. and Chong, J.-H. 2014. Oak lecanium scale, Parthenolecanium quercifex.
The South Carolina Nurseryman. January/February, pp. 18-19.
Chong, J.-H. and Robayo Camacho, E. 2013. Gloomy scale Melanaspis tenebricosa. The South
Carolina Nurseryman. November/December, pp. 26-27.

Others

Robayo Camacho, E. 2010. Consultant, in The Clemson University Plant Problem Clinic Annual
Report.

POSTERS and ORAL PRESENTATIONS

Entomology

Robayo Camacho, E., and Chong, J. H. 2015. Composition and impact of parasitoids of the
lecanium scales in South Carolina. Oral presentation at the 89th Annual Meeting of the
Southeastern Branch of the Entomological Society of America Biloxi, MS.
Robayo Camacho, E., Chong, J. H., Braman, S. K., Frank, S. D., and Schultz P. B. 2014. Natural
enemies of the lecanium scales in 4 states of the Southeastern region. Oral presentation at
the Turfgrass and Ornamentals Symposium for the 88th Annual Meeting of the Southeastern
Branch of the Entomological Society of America Greenville, SC.
Robayo Camacho, E., Chong, J. H., Braman, S. K., Frank, S. D., and Schultz P. B. 2013. Seasonal
activity and composition of parasitoids of oak lecanium scale in 4 states of the Southeastern
region. Oral presentation at the 59th Annual Meeting of the South Carolina Entomological
Society, Hickory Knob State Park, McCormick, SC.
Robayo Camacho, E., and Chong, J. H. 2013. Integrated management of oak lecanium scale
Parthenolecanium quercifex (Fitch) (Hemiptera: Coccidae). Oral presentation given at the 2013
Southeastern Ornamental Entomologists WorkshopState Botanical Garden, Athens, GA.

Ernesto Robayo-Camacho

Robayo Camacho, E., and Chong, J. H. 2012. Phenology of oak lecanium scale
Parthenolecanium quercifex (Fitch) (Hemiptera: Coccidae). Poster presentation at the 18th
Ornamental Workshop on Diseases and Pests, Kanuga Conference Center, Hendersonville, NC.
Robayo Camacho, E., and Chong, J. H. 2012. Phenology of oak lecanium scale
Parthenolecanium quercifex (Fitch) (Hemiptera: Coccidae). Poster presentation at the 58 th
Annual Meeting of the South Carolina Entomological Society, Clemson University-Sandhill
Research and Education Center, Columbia, SC.
Robayo Camacho, E., and Chong, J. H. 2012. Phenology and natural enemies of oak lecanium
scale Parthenolecanium quercifex (Fitch) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) in South Carolina. Oral
presentation at the 2012 Joint Meeting of the SE/SW Branches, Entomological Society of
America Little Rock, AR.

Plant Pathology

Robayo Camacho, E., Hwang, J., and Jeffers, S. N. 2009. A diversity of species of Phytophthora
found on floriculture crops. (Abstr.) Phytopathology 99:S109. Poster presented at the 2009
APS Annual Meeting - Portland, OR.
Robayo Camacho, E., and Jeffers, S. N. 2008. Effects of sanitation with a bleach solution on
daylily and hosta growth. (Abstr.) Phytopathology 98:S133. Poster presented at the 2008
American Phytopathological Society (APS) Centennial Meeting - Minneapolis, MN, and the 16th
Ornamental Workshop on Diseases and Insects Hendersonville, NC.

HONORS AND AWARDS

2014 Clemson University Nettles Research Grant in Applied Entomology

2013 J. W. Cochran Memorial Scholarship by the South Carolina Entomological Society
2012 Clemson University Alexander P. and Lidia Anderson Fellowship
2012 James D. "Denny" Ford Award by the Greater Charleston Pest Control Association
2009 Albert Paulus Student Travel Award for the 2009 Annual Meeting of the American
Phytopathological Society
2008 Clemson University George Miller-Armstrong Plant and Environmental Sciences
Foundation Fellowship
2007 Clemson University Graduate Deans Fellowship
2004 Agro-bio National Award for best undergraduate work in Agricultural Biotechnology
(Colombia)
2003 B.Sc. Honors degree in Biology Pontifical Xaverian University(Bogota, Colombia)

MEMBERSHIPS

South Carolina Biomass Council

Entomological Society of America
Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society

Ernesto Robayo-Camacho