Priscila Pinto

I am originally from Argentina, where I studied Agronomy at the University of Buenos Aires (UBA). I also completed my PhD there, although much of my research involved regularly crossing the Río de la Plata to work on experiments at INIA research stations in Uruguay. My work has focused on cover crops, belowground traits, and ecosystem services, interests that naturally led me to perennial cropping systems and their potential to combine agricultural production with ecological functions commonly associated with natural ecosystems. I enjoy teaching and mentoring students, helping them build the skills and confidence to ask good questions, think critically, and navigate the opportunities and challenges of an uncertain future. Beyond academia, I find inspiration in many places, particularly in the sounds and colours of nature while exploring the outdoors and in the creativity and energy of live music.

Throughout my career, I have studied different strategies of ecological intensification aimed at mimicking the structural and functional components of natural ecosystems within agricultural systems. These include replacing fallow periods in annual cropping systems with cover crops, planting perennial crops, intercropping multifunctional species, and integrating crop and livestock systems. Across these systems, I have explored how management practices influence crop productivity and belowground processes, particularly those related to soil health, carbon, and nutrient cycling. Building on experiences in Argentina, Uruguay, and the United States, I hope to contribute to innovative, farmer-centered solutions that advance ecological sustainability and food system resilience in Sweden and beyond.