My name is Felipe Balocchi and I´m a PhD student at FABI. I completed my undergraduate carrer, Plant biotechnology engineering, and a MSc in Forestry sciences in Chile at the University of Concepción working at the Forest Pathology Lab. The main topic of my MSc research was biological control of weeds by using fungal pathogens, and after finishing my studies I worked for three years at a university project in diagnosis of known and new diseases of cultivated and native trees in Chile. During this period a new disease(s) was discovered occurring to araucaria trees (Araucaria araucana), one of the symbolic native species in Chile (which is endemic to the mountain ranges in Chile and Argentina) of which the causal agent is still unknown. The main focus of my investigation is to describe the diseases affecting Araucaria trees and how environment affects the disease emergence and progress. Such information can lead to evaluate different control strategies to mitigate the damage to the araucaria trees and preserve these native forests.