Juliana Baggio

Syngenta Crop Protection 

Research scientist

What 3-4 professional and/or personal accomplishments are you most proud of? 

• Finishing my Ph.D. 
• Moving to another country to study and work
• Helping growers/farmers overcome challenges in pest control and succeed

What led you to work in the horticulture industry? 

• I have always loved biology and always wanted to work with research.
• Being influenced by an uncle that was a professor at an agriculture university, I decided to follow his path.
• During my years in college, I got more exposure to horticulture and, through an internship in the plant pathology department, I started working with diseases of horticultural plants. 

What’s the best thing about your job? 

• I get to do what I love, every day.

Describe to a 6-year-old what you do in life? 

• Do you know when you get sick? Well, plants get sick too! I help sick plants to be healthy again or help them not get sick in the first place.
• I am a plant doctor. 

What are your favorite hobbies? 

• Dancing
• Reading
• Spending time with family and friends

When you’re not working, what are three things we could find you doing? 

• Watching movies
• Working around the house
• Spending time with family

Do you have any unusual talents, or can you tell us something interesting about yourself that other people may be surprised to find out? 

• Although I do not practice anymore, as a kid and teenager, I used to be really good at ballet, tap dance and flamenco dance. 

One thing you can’t live without? 

• Family

What are you (un)secretly good at? 

• Organization

What are your top three bucket list items? 

• Learn a new language
• Learn knitting or crocheting
• Visit all U.S. national parks

What’s your favorite plant variety and why? 

• I love Gerberas! Gerberas come in a wide range of bright and cheerful colors.
• They are versatile flowers that can be used in various floral arrangements, from bouquets to centerpieces, and are suitable for many occasions.
• My wedding bouquet was composed of Gerberas! 

You’re buying a vacation package to anywhere in the world without a budget, where are you going? 

• Southeast Asia