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    Carolina Contreras Duarte

    Ingeniero Agrónomo, M. Sc., Ph. D.

     

    Carolina Contreras es Profesora Auxiliar del Instituto de Producción y Sanidad Vegetal de la Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Alimentarias de la Universidad Austral de Chile (UACh).

    Realizó sus estudios de Ingeniera Agrónoma en la Universidad de Chile. Posteriormente realizó un Magíster en Ciencias Vegetales en la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile especializándose en postcosecha frutal. Luego, estudió su doctorado y obtuvo el grado de PhD. en Michigan State University, EE.UU. en Fisiología de Postcosecha.

    Sus líneas de investigación dentro de la fisiología de postcosecha frutal son principalmente, la calidad de fruta, desórdenes fisiológicos y biología del aroma en especies de interés tales como cerezas, frambuesas, manzanas entre otras.

    Es responsable de las asignaturas de Fisiología de Postcosecha de Frutas y Hortalizas para pregrado y Bioquímica del Fruto para postgrado.

    Horticulture, M.Sc., Ph.D.

     

    Carolina Contreras is an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Plant Health and Production,  Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Universidad Austral de Chile (UACh).

    She received her Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture from Universidad de Chile and her M.Sc. in Plant Sciences from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, specialising in fruit postharvest. She completed her Ph.D. at Michigan State University, USA.

    Her research interest focus on postharvest physiology of fruits, specifically fruit quality, physiological disorders, and aroma biology in species of interest such as sweet cherries, raspberries, and apples among others.

    Her teaching responsibilities include the subjects of Postharvest Physiology of Fruits and Vegetables (undergraduate program) and Fruit Biochemistry (graduate program).

    Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Carolina-Contreras-17

    Web of Science ResearcherID: ABE-3774-2020

    Línea de Investigación (Graphical Abstract)

    • Aguilar, F., Salazar, M., Fuentes, L., Calderini, D., Jerez, A., Contreras, C*. (2025). Increased temperature effects during fruit growth and maturation on the fruit quality, sensory and antioxidant properties of raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) cv. Heritage. Foods 14: 1201. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14071201
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    • Villavicencio, J.D., Zoffoli, J.P., O'Brien, J.A. and Contreras, C*. (2025). Methyl jasmonate mediated modulation of lipoxygenase pathway modifies aroma biosynthesis during ripening of 'Regina' sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.). Postharvest Biology and Technology 225: 113511. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.113511
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    • Bonomelli, C., Arredondo, G., Nario, A., Artacho, P., and Contreras, C*. (2025). Calcium allocation to the tree canopy and the edible part of sweet cherry fruit is hindered by boron soil deficiency. Agronomy 15: 691. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15030691
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    • Coye, F., Calderón-Orellana, A., Zoffoli, J.P., and Contreras, C*. (2024). Influence of preharvest environmental conditions and postharvest relative humidity on the appearance of orange peel disorder in sweet cherry during fruit development and storage. Chilean Journal of Agricultural Research 84(6):803-816. doi:10.4067/S0718-58392024000600803
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    • Villavicencio, J.D., Tobar, J., Zoffoli, J.P., O'Brien, J.A*. & Contreras, C*. (2024). Identification, characterization, and expression of lipoxygenase genes in sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) cv. Regina and their relationship with the development of an herbaceous off-flavor during fruit ripening. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 206: 108271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.108271a

    FONDECYT Regular N° 1221725. (2022-2026). "Impact of increased temperatures due to climate change on fruit quality, nutritional value and flavor of raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.) cv. Heritage during fruit development and ripening". Institución patrocinante UACH. Investigadora responsable.

     

    FONDECYT Regular N° 12231665. (2023-2027). "Effect of N fertilization amount and form (NH4+ or NO3-) on Ca nutrition of blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) in Andisol soils of Southern Chile.". Institución patrocinante PUC. Investigadora asociada.

     

    FIA PYT-2024-0049. (2024 – 2027). Tecnologías modernas de manejo en pre y postcosecha en huertos de maqui para optimizar el volumen y la calidad de la fruta acorde a los requerimientos de la agroindustria. Coordinadora alterna e investigadora.