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. Her research encompasses insects, viruses, and plants, employing functional genomic-based tools to understand plant virus biology and vector interactions. Current projects are directed at Iowa's commodities, such as soybeans and grapevines.