Laila Puntel

About Laila Puntel

With a PhD in Crop Production and Physiology and over 15 years of experience in agriculture, I specialize in leading the science behind the development of computational agronomy solutions that integrate data, crop models, remote sensing, machine learning among others. My work spans crop, soil, disease and nutrient management, driving innovations that improve productivity and sustainability in agriculture, all while keeping a grower-centric vision at the core.As a Scientist Lead for Computational Agronomy for IT and Digital, I lead a team focused on disease, crop, soil and nutrient modeling to support digital solutions in agronomy. In collaboration with agronomists, engineers, and data scientists, I oversee the creation of digital tools and agronomic models that leverage cutting-edge technologies to enhance crop protection, seed placement, optimize soil health, and deliver actionable insights to farmers. My work is always rooted in the goal of providing growers with practical, data-driven solutions that make a real-world impact on their operations.Through strong communication, trust, and teamwork, I guide interdisciplinary teams to deliver impactful outcomes, ensuring that our solutions are not only scientifically sound but also tailored to the needs of growers. This collaborative approach has been crucial in shaping my vision of agriculture—one that is deeply centered on the growers and their unique challenges.I am passionate about advancing agriculture through innovative, data-driven approaches that prioritize grower success, sustainability, and long-term productivity.

Experience

1. Global Computational Agronomy Lead Scientist

   Syngenta Group

   Nov 2023 — Present · FL, US

Education

• Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata

  Bachelor's degree, Agronomy

  2005 — 2010

• Iowa State University

  Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Crop Production and physiology

  2015 — 2018

• Iowa State University

  Master of Science (M.S.), Crop Production and Physiology

  2010 — 2012

Skills

• Agriculture
• Microsoft Word
• Science
• Biochemistry
• R
• Higher Education
• Molecular Biology
• English
• Microsoft Office
• Statistics
• Microsoft Excel
• Powerpoint
• Genetics
• Experimental Design
• Spanish
• Data Modeling
• Data Analysis
• Research
• Gis Modeling
• Sas