Mano has worked at WTFRC since 2009, when she started as an intern. She is currently a Research Technician responsible for quality data analysis and field operations, which includes supervising and training of personnel regarding storage, laboratory procedures and field evaluations.
Manoella was born in Itabuna, Bahia, but grew up in Una, Bahia, on the beautiful Northeast side of Brazil, close to the coast and to the Atlantic Rainforest.
Mano has a bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness Management from Viçosa Federal University (Brazil) and a master’s degree in Agriculture Food Science and Management from WSU.
She has held three internships: at a tropical fruit research organization focusing on fruit industry diversification; on an environmental institute with focus on family farming; and participation on the development of grant proposals for start-ups with a consulting firm.
Mano has three brothers, and along with her parents they still reside in Brazil. She is married and has one daughter, Bella.
When not working, Mano enjoys playing with Bella, reading, dancing, running, hiking, and watching most team sports, but her favorites are futebol (soccer), American football and hockey.