Professor Carlos Poblete-Echeverría is an Associate Professor in Digital Viticulture and Water Management in the Department of Viticulture and Oenology (Faculty of Agriscience) and serves as the coordinator of the Digital Agriculture Research Group at the South African Grape and Wine Research Institute (SAGWRI). He is recognized internationally for his pioneering work in integrating digital technologies and precision agriculture to enhance vineyard sustainability and climate resilience.

Prof. Poblete-Echeverría has extensive academic experience across Chile, Australia, Spain, and South Africa, and has supervised over 30 graduate students in disciplines related to innovative agricultural technologies. He has contributed to more than 40 national and international research and innovation projects and has published over 92 scientific articles (h-index = 31) and more than 100 conference communications.

His research focuses on the development and application of Artificial Intelligence and modern computational tools to optimize agricultural practices; the use of remote and proximal sensing technologies, including thermography, robotics, and drones; and the estimation of crop water requirements using advanced sensors and modelling techniques. His work bridges cutting-edge research and practical solutions for modern agriculture, improving monitoring and management practices and addressing key challenges in the context of climate change.