Marisol Quintanilla

Contact Me

Assistant Professor and Extension Nematologist
Department of Entomology

Phone:
517-884-2058

Bio

Dr. Marisol Quintanilla is an applied nematologist at Michigan State University. She grew up on her family’s farm in Chile, which produced table grapes and a variety of crops, before earning her master’s and doctoral degrees at MSU under MSU nematologist Dr. George Bird. She later worked at Northern Marianas College and the University of Hawaii, where she gained extensive experience with specialty crop growers. Her current program integrates research and extension to address nematode management in Michigan’s field, vegetable, fruit and ornamental crops, with an emphasis on soil health and sustainable practices.

Concentrations

Nematodes
Plant Parasitic Nematodes
Soil Health

Courses Taught

ENT451: Insect Physiology

Structure/function of insect physiological systems; Molecular mechanisms underlying insect development; Physiological evolution in insects.

Research

Quintanilla’s research focuses on applied solutions to plant-parasitic nematodes that can cause significant crop losses. Her work evaluates both conventional and biorational products for nematode control, explores resistant crop varieties and considers how management practices affect soil health and beneficial organism populations. She collaborates with faculty across disciplines to develop practical strategies for growers and communicates findings through extension programs, publications and direct outreach to Michigan’s agricultural community.

Learn more about Applied Nematology, Ecology and Acoustical Signatures research at MSU.

Extension

Quintanilla leads statewide extension efforts to provide growers and agricultural professionals with research-based strategies for nematode management. She shares information on nematode exclusion, sustainable control methods, soil health and host resistance through farm visits, field days, workshops, extension meetings, videos, publications and digital resources. She also partners with other faculty and extension agents to organize nematode education programs, ensuring that science-based solutions are accessible and applicable to growers across Michigan.