Global Seminar Spotlight: Gabriela Inveninato Carmona
This is a continuation of our "IANR is Global" series, which highlights the many ways internationalization is woven through the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources: through research collaboration, government and private industry partnerships, extension work, student educational experiences and the IANR community from around the world.
This edition is specifically focused on the many global voices we have or have invited to campus who will be sharing their expertise through seminars during fall semester 2020. Entomology doctoral student Gabriela Inveninato Carmona, alongside School of Natural Resources' doctoral student Marnee Roundtree will be sharing “International Plans...Interrupted” on October 6 at 12:30 p.m. as part of the Institute's Global Voices Seminar Series. We appreciate the expertise we are fortunate to have from all over the world, as shown by their many and varied contributions to the work of the university and our continued mission to create a globally engaged institution. To this end, we want to help our campus community get to know each other (and the world) more, starting with these experts.
Where is home for you? Where did you receive your education?
Home is here and home is my family’s home in Brazil. I am from South of Brazil, where I got my B.S in Agronomy in 2017 from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul.
Tell us a little about your path to where you are now.
I grew up in a family of agronomists. Grandfather, father, and uncles work in different sectors of agriculture. Their love for increasing food production in a more sustainable way always has fascinated me. Since my BS in agronomy, I have been involved in ag research working in several different labs. Along the way, I had several great mentors that encouraged me to pursue grad school. In 2014-2015 I had the opportunity to come to the US for the first time, where I spent 18 months at KSU. There, I worked at the KSU Crops Team and this experience made me decide that I wanted to come back to the US for a MS. UNL has a strong ag research, extension, and teaching program, and I was fortunate enough to find a great advisor at the Entomology Department. I started my MS in 2017 and in 2018 we decided to change my program for a Ph.D. During those years at UNL, I have been working with cover crops, entomology, corn, extension, and teaching. Also, I have been involved in student organizations (currently the entomology Bruner Club graduate association president), societies, UNL IANR/CASNR graduate students’ committees, events organization, etc. My past experiences at IRRI, KSU Crops, URFGS Cropping Systems Team, IRGA Soils Team, and UNL contributed to developing my passion for agriculture, entomology, and my desire to contribute to people’s development.
What is something people don’t know (or that you wish they knew) about where you’re from?
Brazil is a huge country and we have a diverse culture there. Each state has its unique culture that extends from food to vocabulary. In my state, Rio Grande do Sul, we are known for drinking a “weird – and delicious!” drink called mate.
Why is it important for institutions like the University of Nebraska to create opportunities to hear from people with experience from different parts of the world?
That’s what makes UNL unique. Hearing and learning from people with experiences from different parts of the world encourage students to look for different opportunities, increase partnerships, network, contribute with different points of views and experiences, and encourage diversity and inclusion.
What is one piece of advice you would share with students, especially those who are interested in an international career?
Look for different opportunities while your program at Nebraska. Work in different labs, look for different internships (in different areas, companies, and even countries), build a network, learn as much as you can (even from your mistakes), and have fun!
We encourage the campus community to attend Gabi and Marnee’s panel webinar at 12:30 p.m. on October 6 via Zoom.
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Are you giving a seminar in fall 2020 (or the future) and have an international element to your work, studies or experiences you'd like to see highlighted? Contact Brianne at bwolf4@unl.edu.