Brief History
Research, teaching and extension activities in Nematology began at UENF in October 1999 when Prof. Ricardo M. Souza arrived at the university. Prof. Claudia Dolinski began her activities in January 2002, initially on a voluntary basis. She joined the Faculty in May 2005. In 2006, the Nematology Research Group (GPN) was formalized with CNPq.
Regarding the extension activities, we highlight the work carried out from 2004 to 2010 joined with the Association of Goiabicultores de Cachoeiras de Macacu, aiming at the “organic” production of guavas, with emphasis on the biological control of the guava weevil with the use of entomopathogenic nematodes.
Regarding research, studies have been carried out on entomopathogenic nematodes aimed at the biological control of agricultural pests (sugarcane, guava and citrus crops), bovine ticks and the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Plant-parasitic nematodes have been studied in coffee, guava, passion fruit, pineapple, and coconut crops, and in forest species native to the Atlantic Forest biome. “Free-living” nematodes associated with the Atlantic Forest are also the subject of research.
Over the years, different scientists from other institutions have developed activities with the GPN. We highlight Prof. Manuel Mota (Universities of Evora and Lisbon, Portugal) who stayed here on sabbatical in 2012; and others who taught courses organized by the GPN: Itamar Glazer (Agricultural Research Organization, Israel), Patricia Stock (University of Arizona, USA), Edward Lewis (University of California, Davis, USA), Robin Stuart (Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, USA) and Raquel Campos-Herrera (University of Algarve, Portugal).
From 2000 to 2023, 32 graduate students and postdocs worked at the GPN. These graduate students and postdocs came from Argentina, Colombia and Brazil. From Brazil, they came from the states of Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Paraná and Bahia. GPN graduates work in private companies, federal institutes and universities in Brazil, Argentina and Colombia.
In summary, the contribution of the GPN to Nematology is relevant. It can be measured by the large number of scientific articles, books and book chapters published, and several invitations to present lectures and courses at national and international events. The GPN is a reference in studies on some pathosystems and in the biological control of certain agricultural pests. GPN professors have served in different positions at the University`s administration, in the presidency of the Brazilian Society of Nematology (two terms), and as the Chief Editor of the journal Nematoda.