- Assistant Professor in Controlled Environment Agriculture
- Plant Sciences and Entomology
- Phone: 401-874-4538
- Email: camilo.villouta@uri.edu
- Office Location: Woodward Hall, Rm 235
Biography
My research focuses on controlled environment agriculture. By studying plant physiology, anatomy, and function, I aim to address applied questions that will contribute to the enhancement of production practices. One of my research objectives is advancing physiological knowledge about crops while improving resource efficiency and yield. Currently, my projects involve investigating the dynamics of root exudates under various hydroponic settings and understanding the pathways of carbon allocation for their production.
For future projects, my focus will be on studying the feasibility of agrivoltaic projects for the state of Rhode Island and assessing anatomical responses to different growing conditions within controlled environment settings.
Education
Postdoctoral Putnam Fellowship – Harvard University, 2023
Ph.D. in Horticulture – University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2021
B.S. in Agronomic Engineer – Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso, 2012
Selected Publications
Villouta C, Workmaster BA, Livingston III DP, Atucha A. 2022. Acquisition of freezing tolerance in Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait. is a multi-factor process involving the presence of an ice barrier at the bud base. Frontiers in Plant Science 13, 891488.
Villouta C, Workmaster BA, Atucha A. 2021. Freezing stress damage and growth viability in Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait. bud structures. Physiologia Plantarum 172 (4), 2238–2250.
Villouta C, Cox BL, Rauch B, Workmaster BAA, Eliceiri KW, Atucha A. 2021. A device for the controlled cooling and freezing of excised plant specimens during magnetic resonance imaging. Plant Methods 17 (1), 1-11.
Villouta C, Workmaster BA, Bolivar-Medina J, Sinclair S, Atucha A. 2020. Freezing stress survival mechanisms in Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait. terminal buds. Tree physiology 40 (7), 841-855.
Bolivar-Medina JL, Villouta C, Workmaster BA, Atucha A. 2019. Floral meristem development in cranberry apical buds during winter rest and its implication on yield prediction. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science 144 (5), 314-320.