Resume

Education

Ph.D., Botany, University of Florida, Gainesville, 26 April 2013
Dissertation: Speciation patterns of Scaphosepalum (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae)
Advisor: Norris H. Williams

 

BSc, Biological Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University Quito Ecuador, 6 July 2000
Thesis: Pollination Ecology of four Dracula species (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae) sympatric in northwestern Ecuador
Advisors: Renato Valencia, Nigel Pitman

Professional Appointments

  • Clemson Herbarium Curator and Lecturer, Clemson University (Aug 2021 – to present)
  • Adjunct Lecturer, Department of Biology – University of Florida (Aug 2020 – May 2021)
  • Postdoctoral Associate, NSF GoLife – Building a comprehensive evolutionary history of flagellate plants (Aug 2016- 2020)
  • Postdoctoral Associate, NSF Next Generation Phenomics Project – Language Processing (Aug 2013- Aug 2016)
  • Workflow coordinator for the NSF Digitization of North American Bryophyte and Lichen Specimens from Five Florida Herbaria (Aug 2012- Mar 2014).
  • Research Assistant for the Genetic Resources Repository of the Florida Museum of Natural History (Aug 2006- May 2010).
  • Threatened Endemic Ecuadorian Species Program: Orchidaceae – QCA Herbarium- Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador & University of Florida (May 2004-Nov 2006)
  • Technical Consultant of Orchid Traffic in the Andean Region Project of Biotrade and Evaluation of CITES Appendix II IUCN – Traffic South America (Jun 2002 – Dec 2002)
  • Curatorial Assistant for the Orchidaceae Collection – QCA Herbarium – Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador (Jun 2000 – Aug 2004)
  • Botanist of the Páramo Rapid Assessment Project -Proyecto Páramo – Ecociencia (Oct 2000 – Aug 2001)
  • Threatened Endemic Ecuadorian Species Program Orchidaceae – QCA Herbarium- Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador (Jun 1999 – Oct 2000)
  • Assistant to the Amazonic Palms Regional Workshop ECORAE – Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador (June 1998)
  • Evaluation of the Orchidaceae Ecuadorian Rare Plants Project Herbarium QCA – GEF Activity 16 (Oct 1997 – Feb 1999 )
  • Academic and Administrative Assistant Yasuní Scientific Research Station, at the Ecuadorian Amazon Department of Biology – Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador (Aug 1996 – Feb 1998)

Teaching appointments

  • Instructor, Senior Seminar: Plants and Humanity  (BIOL 4930). Spring 2022. Clemson University.
  • Instructor, Plant Diversity (BOT 2011C). University of Florida  (Spring 2021)
  • Instructor, Plant in Human Affairs (BOT 2800). University of Florida  (Fall 2020)
  • Instructor, Biology Lab (BSC 2011L – online). University of Florida  (Fall 2020 & Spring 2021)
  • Instructor, UnCommon Reads: The Voyage of the Beagle (IDH 2930-14B6). University of Florida  – Honors Program (Spring 2018)
  • Instructor, Research in Phylo-phenomics  (BOT4935- ZOO4926). University of Florida (Spring 2016)
  • Teaching Assistant, Biology (BSC 2011). University of Florida (Spring & Summer 2012 )
  • Developer of lab blog, Practical Plant Taxonomy (BOT 2710). University of Florida (Fall 2011)
  • Teaching Assistant, Plants in Human Affairs (BOT 2800). University of Florida (Spring 2011)
  • Teaching Assistant,  Biology (BSC 2011). University of Florida (Spring 2006)
  • Teaching Assistant,  Tropical Botany (BOT 6935). University of Florida (Summer 2005)
  • Teaching Assistant – Module: Plant Reproductive Biology -Department of Biology Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador (Jun 2000 – Jul 2002)

Funding

  • American Society of PlantTaxonomists Travel Grant. 2012 (300 US)
  • American Society of PlantTaxonomist Graduate Student Research Grant. 2010 (600 US)
  • National Science Foundation Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant: Speciation patterns of Scaphosepalum (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae). 2010 (9,450 US)
  • Orchid Conservation Alliance. 2008 (8,000 US) – (Funds raised with CEIBA Foundation)
  • International Association of Plant Taxonomists – Research Grants Program. 2008 (1,000 US)
  • 13th World Orchid Conference. 2007 (3,000 US)
  • 13th World Orchid Conference. 2005 (3,000 US)
  • San Diego County Orchid Society Conservation Funds. 2002 (2,800 US)

Internal/Departmental funding

  • UF Honors Program, (Un)Common Reads, and Art funds for professional development. 2018 (1000 US)
  • UF College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Travel Grant. 2012 (100 US)
  • UF College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Travel Grant. 2011 (350 US)
  • College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Travel Grant. 2009 (250 US)

Fellowships and Awards

  • Best Postdoctoral Poster Award, SEPEEG.2015
  • Honorable Mention, IAPT Research Improvement Grants for Plant Systematics. 2013
  • Vaughn-Jordan Graduate Student Fellowship of the University of Florida. 2011
  • Furniss Foundation/American Orchid Society Graduate Fellowship. 2009 – 2012
  • Bascom Fellowship in Botany for Latin Women – Missouri Botanical Garden. 2004

Additional training

  • Mar 2022-May2022  Strategic Planning for Herbaria, Society of Herbarium Curators & iDigBio

  • Mar 2022  STAR Decision-Making Model into your curriculum, Clemson University – Rutland Institute of Ethics

  • Aug 2020-Mar 2021  UF Passport to Great Teaching. Great Online Teaching certificate (obtained)  Mentoring certificate (obtained)

  • Scanning Electron Microscopy Techniques. SEM Imaging Lab – ICBR, University of Florida, FL, USA (Feb 2012 – Dec 2012)
  • Workshop on Molecular Systematics Marine Biological Laboratories, Woods Hole, MA, USA (Jul 2010 – Aug 2010)
  • Revision of  Pleurothallis sect. Macrophylla-fasciculatae Missouri Botanical Garden (Apr 2004 – Jul 2004
  • Revision of Stelis (Orchidaceae) of Ecuador and Pleurothallis sect. Macrophylla-fasciculatae (now Acronia) Visiting Scientist – Marie Selby Botanical Gardens (Sep 2002- Sep 2003)
  • Revision of Stelis sect. Humboldtia (Orchidaceae) Internship Program – Marie Selby Botanical Gardens (Sep 2001- Feb 2002 )

Field Experience (check this site for some field stories)

  • Ecuador: Southern Andes, Pastaza Valley, Jatunyacu delta, Research project: Scaphosepalum Phylogeny  (May-Dec 2010)
  • Ecuador: Southern Andes, Northern Slopes of the Andes, Research project: Scaphosepalum Phylogeny (Dec 2009)
  • Ecuador: Northern Andes, Northern Slopes of the Andes, Research project: Scaphosepalum Phylogeny (Dec 2008)
  • Ecuador Phase: Research project: Maxillariinae Phylogeny (Orchidaceae) (Nov 2005)
  • Ecuador: Pollination Ecology of Scaphosepalum (Orchidaceae) in Northwestern Ecuador Herbario QCA (Feb 2002 – Jun 2002)
  • Ecuador: Research project: Pollination Ecology of Dracula (Orchidaceae) in Northwestern Ecuador QCA Herbarium – Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador (Feb 1998 – Jun 2000)
  • Field Assistant to Dr. Jette Knudsen Study site: Centinela Forest, Northwestern Ecuador Project: Chemical Analysis of Floral Scents- Geonoma Palms (Feb 1996)
  • Field Assistant to Dr. Henrik Balslev Study site: Yasuní Scientific Research Station,  Distribution Patterns of Palms (Aug 1995)

 Professional service

  • IAPT Awards Committee – Reviewer (2022)
  • ASPT Systematic Collections Committee (2014-2017)
  • ASPT Awards and Honors Committee (2014)
  • Reviewer for: International Journal of Plant Sciences, Lankesteriana (active to date), Systematic Botany (active to date), Brittonia (active to date), Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society (active to date), Botany Letters (active to date).
  • Member of the Species Survival Commission of the IUCN – Orchid Specialist Group (active to date)
  • Scientific Advisor to Ministerio de Turismo de Ecuador – Orchids National Patrimony of Ecuador Initiative (2013)
  • Member of the CITES Scientific Authorities of Ecuador – Orchidaceae (Feb 2001- Dec 2004)