Emilio Romero

As a bilingual researcher with international experience across Latin America, Africa, the Caribbean, and the U.S., I thrive on solving complex problems and exploring interdisciplinary solutions that drive innovation in agriculture. My journey began in Costa Rica at EARTH University, and has evolved into a commitment to advancing sustainable agricultural systems through applied research, technology, and global collaboration. Now pursuing my Ph.D. in Horticulture at the University of Georgia, I’m part of the UGA Citrus Lab, where I lead research focused on supporting the growth of Georgia’s emerging citrus industry. My work addresses practical production challenges, including nutrient management, pruning strategies, fruit quality improvement, and raising awareness of Huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening, and its potential impact. With hands-on experience in both field and lab settings, I integrate tools like R and Python for data analysis, visualization, and research automation. I’m especially passionate about the role of AI, open-source tools, and microbiology in the future of agriculture and environmental monitoring. Whether it’s through local field trials, international partnerships, or big-picture systems thinking, I’m driven by the belief that research should solve real-world problems and empower innovation across the food system.