Dr. Pareja is an agronomist (1972) with post-graduate studies in the USA (M.Sc. in Botany, 1976, and Ph.D. in Agronomy, 1984, both from Iowa State University). His educational background and early professional experience were in pest management, IPM and environmental impact of pesticides. For more than 35 years he has worked on research, education and training, extension and design, monitoring and evaluation of socio-economic development and research and innovation projects and institutions. His professional career goes through private industry, a regional research center in Central America (CATIE), ISU, the international relief and development NGO, CARE, independent consultant for almost 20 years and to advise a Departmental Government in his native country, Uruguay, on environmental matters. He has published more than 80 technical and scientific papers on issues related to IPM, pesticides, food and livelihood security, sustainable management of natural resources and others.