Bio
I am currently in my last year of PhD in Biology with a focus on Tropical Ecology at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras campus. There, I study stressors that affects colubrid populations in the Antilles, using the Puerto Rican racer as a model. My research interests are focused on the study of amphibians, reptiles, and invasive species.
From an early age, I have always felt a great attraction to nature, animal behavior and science. Wildlife documentaries, science educational tv shows, and even pictures at popular science magazine, inspire, motivated, and shaped much of the scientist that I am today. With this I understood that the media are an excellent tool for science education, conservation and can be used as an inspiration to study science. That is why in my professional background I have always combined communications and sciences. I am a faithful believer in inclusivity and therefore that science should be accessible to everyone.
At my university, I worked on a scientific communication component that was implemented in the ecology class laboratories. With this, students were trained in the use of non-traditional scientific communication tools to inform non-scientific citizens about findings in science, natural resources, conservation, etc. I am the founder and coordinator of the non-profit organization Proyecto Serpientes en Puerto Rico Inc., which combines education, research, and community service for the conservation of amphibians and reptiles. I have worked on popular science articles for magazines and newspapers. I am extremely honored and excited about this experience at El Nuevo Dia.
