Biography
Dr. Ricardo Labrada obtained his M.Sc. on agrochemistry & soil (1969) from The National Agricultural University, Kiev, Ukraine, and Ph.D. on agronomy and weed management (1978) from Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy. He has held various positions in the agriculture industry such as:
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Agronomist in Plant Protection Service, Cuba (1969-71)
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Chief weed and herbicide section, Plant Protection Laboratory, Cuba (1971-73)
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Director Pesticide Central Station, Cuba (1973-77)
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Vice-Director Plant Protection Research Institute, Cuba (1977-90), and also director of weed and toxicology area of the institute
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FAO consultant on weeds and pesticide use (1987-90)
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FAO weed officer, Rome (1990-2009), supervising projects in all developing regions of the world, specific to plant protection services, weed management and alternatives to methyl bromide as soil fumigant and organizing various regional training workshops.
He has published more than 70 publications in peer-review journals, has been the editor of various books on weed management and alternatives to methyl bromide as soil fumigant, and published five books/booklets on the same subjects. He served as the President of the International Weed Science Society (IWSS) (1998-2000) and is a member of the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) and the European Weed Research Society. He was twice awarded on Agricultural Extension in Cuba (1982 and 1983) and has received an honorary membership from WSSA and a life achievement award from IWSS.
Research Interest
Plant protection, mainly weed management including waterweed management, weed risk assessment and management, risk assessment of genetically modified crops.
