Adriana Larrea-Sarmiento

Dr. Larrea-Sarmiento has been an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology, and Microbiology (PPEM) at Iowa State University since August 2024. Originally from Quito, Ecuador, she completed her BS in Biotechnology, and MS and Ph.D. in Tropical Plant Pathology with a mention on bacteriology and virology, respectively. As a postdoctoral researcher, she studied vector biology at Cornell University.
As a plant pathologist focusing on vector biology, Dr. Larrea-Sarmiento specializes in viral discovery, molecular diagnosis, and studying virus and vector biology. The lab is focused on understanding the complex relationship between viruses, insect vectors, and plant hosts, focusing on viruses infecting grapevine and soybean crops. Many serious plant viral pathogens depend upon insect vectors for host transmission. A major emphasis is to use a combination of molecular, genetic, and proteomics approaches to understand how insects and plants regulate the virus transmission process. Our aim is to generate impactful research that could shape future agricultural practices.