Carlos Ortiz

Carlos Ortiz is an experienced professional in the fields of agriculture and biological sciences, currently serving as the National Program Leader and Biological Science Specialist at the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture since December 2016, where management of Agriculture and STEM education grant programs is a key responsibility. Prior to this, Carlos held positions as an Adjunct Faculty Instructor at Blinn College and as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at both Texas A&M University - USDA ARS Insect Control and Cotton Diseases Research Unit and Texas A&M University's Center for Phage Technology, contributing to significant research in plant pathologies. Carlos completed a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from Texas A&M University after earning a B.S. in Biology from The University of Texas-Pan American, and has extensive experience in biomolecular research, particularly in pathogenic fungi and disease resistance in plants.