Holds a Bachelors degree in Agronomy from the Federal University of Santa Maria (1999), a Masters degree in Agricultural Microbiology from the Federal University of Viçosa (2001), a PhD in Soil Science from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (2005), and a postdoctoral fellowship from the same institution (2006). Served as a professor at the Federal University of Pampa, São Gabriel Campus, RS (20072008). In 2009, joined the Department of Soils at the Federal University of Santa Maria, where he is currently a Full Professor. Teaches in the Undergraduate Program in Agronomy and in the Graduate Program in Soil Science (PPGCS/UFSM), which holds maximum quality grade in Brazil. Acts as an advisor at both the Masters and Doctoral levels and has served twice as Coordinator and twice as Deputy Coordinator of the PPGCS. Coordinates two CNPq Research Groups: Ecology of Soil and Environmental Organisms, and Bioremediation and Phytoremediation. Develops research and technological development projects at the Soil Biology Laboratory, with one patent filed and another granted in microbial processes, and ongoing technology transfer to companies. Serves as the technical manager of the Laboratory of Agricultural Microorganism Analyses (MicroBio), which provides bioinput analysis services. Has experience in the field of Soils, with emphasis on Soil Biology and Bioremediation. Main areas of activity include bioremediation and phytoremediation, biological treatment of solid waste, biological indicators of environmental quality, sustainable use of microbial biodiversity for the development of agricultural bioinputs, and molecular soil ecology.