The University of Idaho has hired its first presidential endowed academic chair — but she will not be headquartered on the Moscow campus.

Erika Consoli will instead be based at the U of I’s Parma Research and Extension Center, where she will study nematology.

Nematodes, a form of roundworm, are abundant and usually microscopic. Their impacts are far-reaching. Some are beneficial, controlling pests or moving around nutrients, while others can reduce crop yields, damaging plants and spreading disease.

Consoli became interested in nematodes as a child, living on her family’s farm in Brazil.

“Growing up, I often saw the impact of pathogens and pests on my family farm and overheard my parents discussing the best ways to deal with these issues affecting our crops,” Consoli said. “Really early I wanted to be a plant breeder because I believe it’s one of the most effective ways to deal with pests and diseases.”

She began studying nematodes as an undergraduate at the University of São Paulo in Brazil. She continued her studies in France and Belgium and earned a doctorate at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. Most recently, she was a postdoctoral scholar at Pennsylvania State University in University Park, Pennsylvania.

Presidential endowed chairs are backed by at least $3 million in funding.

“This is one of the largest nematology endowments, not only in the U.S., but in the world, demonstrating our commitment toward addressing a pressing need for Idaho agriculture,” said Leslie Edgar, J.R. Simplot endowed dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, in a U of I news release. “With the help of our stakeholders, we’ve hired an emerging star in the field who brings a breadth of experience and a global perspective.”

Consoli will begin work on Nov. 9.