Faculty Spotlight: Guillermo Raul Balboa
About Guillermo
I’m originally from Cordoba, Argentina. I finished my master’s degree at Rio Cuarto National University, and I got a Fulbright Scholarship to pursue my doctorate degree at Kansas State University working on managements practices to close yield gaps in corn and soybean. After that I moved to Canberra, Australia for a postdoctoral opportunity at CSIRO working in Farming Systems and Digital Agriculture. Before joining UNL in September 2021, I served as assistant professor in cropping systems and digital agriculture at Rio Cuarto National University where I lead a project to launch the first University Digital Ag Farm in Argentina. All these opportunities allowed me to meet many great people and places that helped to shape my professional career as well as having friends all over the worlds.
What is your position at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
I’m a research assistant professor in nutrient management working at Dr. Puntel’s Lab in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture. My research interests includes cropping systems, crop simulation models and site-specific crop management. I am passionate about agriculture, applying agronomic knowledge, soil science, and crop production principles to investigate innovations in farming systems that increase productivity, water, and nutrient use efficiency to achieve sustainability. I integrate state of the art field experiments, modeling and digital agriculture tools.
What drew you to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
UNL is a very recognized Land Grant University in the United States and the perfect place to pursue my career goals. The university has recognized professors and a variety of resources to support research and extension projects.
What aspect of working in an educational setting do you enjoy the most?
The opportunities to collaborate with other research groups not only from UNL but from other universities. Having the chance to share my experience with students and help them to develop their career path is something that I enjoy.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I will not call an achievement but being able to guide and mentor students is one of the greatest things that you can experience along your career. Getting my doctoral degree and being able to publish my research was a great personal achievement. I believe that great achievements are those that can positively impact others. For example, before joining UNL I had a chance to develop a one-year professional training program for precision agriculture that was the first of its kind in Argentina. We trained 40 agronomists across Argentina the first year. I also lead a project to launch the first University Digital Farm in Argentina.
What is something that most people don't know about you?
I’m trying to play the guitar! My musical skills are not like my research ones but I’m doing my best. A friend of mine just gifted me a guitar so it’s time to practice.
What is your life like outside of work?
I enjoy cooking for friends and traveling to new places when I have the chance. Also visiting family and friends in my home country is what enjoy on holidays.