Giovani Rossi, MS - profile information

I am a plant physiologist whose research focuses on crop responses to environmental and biological stressors. My work integrates plant physiology, biochemistry, and applied agronomy to better understand how abiotic factors, such as temperature extremes and elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide and ozone, as well as biotic pressures, including insect pests and associated diseases, influence crop development, productivity, and quality.
I earned my BS in Agronomy from the State University of Maringa, followed by an MS in Plant Physiology and Biochemistry from the University of Sao Paulo, both in Brazil. During my first master’s program, I investigated the use of plant growth regulators to mitigate lodging in soybean, in a project supported by the Brazilian soybean growers’ council. This work highlighted the potential of manipulating plant physiological pathways to improve crop performance and sparked my long-term interest in plant growth regulators (PGRs). Following my graduate training in Brazil, I spent seven years in the agrochemical industry as an R&D Manager, where I established and led a research program focused on developing PGR-based technologies to enhance crop yield and profitability. I coordinated extensive greenhouse and field experiments across multiple crops, integrating physiological insights with applied product development. This experience strengthened my leadership skills and provided a strong foundation for translating scientific knowledge into practical agricultural solutions.
Motivated to deepen my expertise in plant stress physiology, I returned to academia and completed a second MS in Biology at Auburn University. My research during this period focused on the physiological responses of crops to abiotic stress, including studies on heat stress in blueberries and the effects of elevated carbon dioxide and ozone on cotton. My work incorporated advanced methodologies such as leaf gas exchange analysis and the application of downscaled climate models to better understand future environmental impacts on crop systems.
Currently, I serve as a Research Associate II in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at Auburn University. In this role, I apply my background in plant physiology to investigate how insect pests—such as aphids and cotton jassids—and the diseases they transmit affect crop performance. My research bridges plant physiology and entomology, providing a comprehensive perspective on how biotic stressors influence plant morphology, physiology, and yield. I am actively involved in experimental design, greenhouse and field research, data analysis, and scientific writing, contributing to multiple peer-reviewed publications and collaborative projects.