Our Team
Juan José Acosta is the Director of Camcore – an international tree breeding and gene conservation program working with 40 industrial and governmental forestry organizations in 17 countries- and Associate Professor at North Carolina State University. JJ is a forest engineer from the National University of Colombia and holds a PhD in Forest Genetics from the University of Florida. Prior to Camcore, Juan José worked as a research engineer at Smurfit Kappa Colombia. His research interests include quantitative analysis for breeding populations, molecular genetics and genomic selection, near-infrared spectroscopy applications, data analysis, forest breeding and breeding strategies.
Gary Hodge is the Emeritus Director of Camcore. Gary is Professor of Forestry at North Carolina State University, and holds a B.S in Forest Management and an M.S. in Forest Genetics from Virginia Tech, and a Ph.D. in Forest Genetics from NC State University. Prior to his current position, Gary worked for 9 years with the Cooperative Forest Genetics Research Program at the University of Florida. His research interests are in breeding strategies, quantitative genetics, and wood properties.
Ricardo Cavalheiro is the Camcore Research Specialist. He is a forest engineer and holds a MSc and a PhD in Forest Biometrics from the University of Parana, in Brazil. Prior to joining Camcore, Ricardo worked as Biometrics Supervisor for Arauco – Brazil, and as the Research Specialist, Coordinator and Manager at WestRock – Brazil. His research interests include biometrics, ecophysiological modeling, forest productivity, forest management, species allocation, and terrestrial lidar.
Romeo Jump is Camcore Seed and Pollen Technologist. Romeo manages all aspects of our seed and pollen inventory, and is responsible for all of our seed and pollen imports and exports. In addition, Romeo is involved in a wide array of research projects we conduct in the lab and greenhouse at N.C. State University, and in genetic trials overseas. Romeo holds a B.S. degree in Agricultural Engineering from Rafael Landivar University in Guatemala.
Gabriela Brigatti Chaves is Camcore Tree Improvement Specialist. She holds a B.S in Forest Engineering from ESALQ – University of São Paulo and an M.S. in Genetics and Plant Breeding from the Federal University of Lavras, Brazil. Before joining Camcore, Gabi worked as a Research Analyst at ArborGen Brazil and as a Breeding Researcher at Suzano in Brazil. Her research interests include forest genetics, breeding strategies, data analysis and clonal propagation.
Robert McGee is Camcore Office Manager. Robert manages all aspects of our financial and administrative interactions with the university. Robert has long experience with N.C. State University, and his skills and knowledge help us function within the university.
Aurélio Aguiar is a Visiting Scholar at Camcore. He is an agronomist with an M.S. and Ph.D. in Plant Genetics and Breeding from institutions in Brazil. Aurélio is employed by Suzano, where he works on genetic improvement strategies. At Camcore, his research focuses on methodologies to develop more resilient clones to address emerging environmental challenges
Kristin Hilborn is the Domestic Conservation Program Manager for Camcore. She holds a B.S. in Forestry from Michigan State University and a M.S. in Forestry from North Carolina State University. Additionally, she is a PhD Candidate in Forestry and Entomology at North Carolina State University. Prior to joining Camcore, Kristin had experience working in Extension and outreach and as a technician in forest ecology and silvicultural labs. Her research interests include conservation of threatened tree species through seed collection and preservation and invasive forest pest biology and management.
Robert Jetton is the Camcore Forest Health Specialist and Associate Professor of Forest Health at North Carolina State University. He holds a B.S. in Biology from Furman University and M.S. in Forestry and Ph.D. in Entomology from North Carolina State University. Robert supports the Camcore program through research and outreach related to pest and disease management and oversees the Domestic Conservation Program. His research interests include the ecology and management of invasive insect and disease threats in natural and planted forest systems, and the population genetics and conservation of at-risk tree species.
