Academic Leader of Sciences
Dr. Sofía Macchiavelli Girón holds a PhD in Plant Pathology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Bachelor's degree in Biology with a minor in Professional Ethics from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez.
Throughout her career, Dr. Macchiavelli Girón has been dedicated to promoting scientific research, interdisciplinary education, and community impact. She has led initiatives such as the Boricua Leaders in Agricultural Sciences professional development program, focused on strengthening the capabilities of young scientists in Puerto Rico. Her commitment to sustainability and food security is reflected in multidisciplinary projects focused on increasing local agricultural production.
Dr. Macchiavelli Girón is passionate about the professional development of her students, innovative education, and promoting initiatives that integrate science with community well-being.
Publications and Collaborative Projects
Hernandez Heredia E., Macchiavelli Girón S., Cabrera Asencio I., Estévez de Jensen C. (2024). Strategies for the management of sudden wilting of watermelon “Watermelon vine decline”. University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez.
Macchiavelli-Giron, Sofia & Caudill, Emily & Theisen, Cara. (2024). Defining Life: Exploring Creativity, Scientific Discovery, and Biology Core Concepts in a Disciplinary First-Year Seminar. CourseSource. 11. 10.24918/cs.2024.18.
Colon Carrion N, Macchiavelli Girón S. (2023). From the classroom to the farm: a lesson plan that promotes smallholder farmers' education and training about plant pathology in the context of climate change. J Microbiol Biol Educ 24:e00090-23. https://doi.org/10.1128/jmbe.00090-23.
Gustavo A. Rodriguez, Sofia Macchiavelli Giron, Luis G. Sierra Rivera, Luis Alexis Rodríguez-Cruz, Ermita Hernández, and Eric Irizarry. (2023). Efficient use of irrigation water in vegetable and other crop farms. USDA Caribbean Climate Hub, International Institute of Tropical Forestry, Agricultural Extension Service.
Giraldo, MC, Almodóvar, W., Soto-Torres, G., Macchiavelli-Girón, S., & Martínez-Cales, E. (2022). Integrated management plan for the control of sweet potato shoot [Technical Report]. Agricultural Experiment Station. https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11801/2888.
Almodóvar, Wanda., Giraldo, Martha, Soto-Torres, Giovannie., Sofia Machiavelli-Giron & Edda MartinezCales. (2022). Integrated Management Program for the Sweet Potato Weevil, Cylas formicarius var elegantulus, in Puerto Rico. SEA Magazine. https://www.uprm.edu/sea/mdocs-posts/revista-sea-edicion-28/.
Macchiavelli Girón S. (2021) Investigating Pathogen Characteristics, Image-based Rating Tools, and Host Resistance for Enhanced Management of Potato Silver Scurf. University of Wisconsin–Madison.