My research focuses on biodiversity, ecology, landscape genetics, and conservation of freshwater ecosystems. I have been working on large-scale spatial distribution of aquatic plants, combining community and population approaches. My main interest is to address how local and landscape scale patterns in wetlands are explained by analyzing the drivers of biodiversity at different scales, from genes to ecosystems.
I am broadly interested in landscape and climate change impacts across aquatic systems. I combine applied and theoretical research to further our understanding of ecosystem processes that improve ecosystem management and conservation. My approach is interdisciplinary and includes plant identification, landscape ecology, molecular biology, spatial analysis, and public policy.
I strongly prioritize the use of open data and open source software to aid tool development for decision-makers.
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Visiting Researcher
International collaborative research team on macroecology of macrophytes
Postdoc Research
Cost-effective Wetland Risk Assessment for Ramsar Sites Management in Mexico
Students' thesis advisor
Graduate
Undergraduate
UAQ Social Program on Aquatic Plants coordinator
International Mentorship Program
Visiting Researcher
- North Dakota State University, 2022 and 2023.
- The Wetland Ecology and Restoration Lab, Utah State University, U.S.A. May-Jul 2018. Supervisor: Dr. Karin Kettenring. I developed two laboratory experiments and one field trial focused on climate change and seed-based restoration, using native and invasive wetland plants in the Great Salt Lake.
- INECOL, Patzcuaro, Mexico 2018. Supervisor: Dr. Yessica Rico
- National Plant Lab, Queretaro, Mexico, 2015-2019. Supervisor: Dr. Mahinda Martinez
- Spatial Ecology and Conservation Lab, Sao Paulo State University, Brazil. Sep-Dec 2017. Supervisor: Dr. Milton Ribeiro. I developed several spatial analysis using environmental, biological, and landscape data.
- Plant Molecular Lab, University of Guadalajara, Mexico. Jan-Jul 2017. Supervisor: Dr. Dánae Cabrera-Toledo. I worked with microsatellites molecular markers transference, genotyping, and genetic analysis.
- Earth Innovation Institute, San Francisco, U.S.A. Apr-Jun 2014. Supervisor: Dr. David G McGrath. I developed analysis and reports about REDD+ and deforestation in the Amazon rainforest.
- EMBRAPA, Belem, Brazil, 2007-2008. Supervisor: Dr. Giorgio Venturieri
International collaborative research team on macroecology of macrophytes
- This informal international research network, set up in 2017 by retired aquatic botanist Kevin Murphy, is dedicated to advancing macroecological knowledge of freshwater macrophytes. Collaborators are based in several countries such as Russia, Denmark, Spain, Scotland and Mexico. Their varied specialist research experience, ranges from karyological to biogeographical expertise involving macrophytes, within a general theme of understanding the environmental factors that drive biodiversity, ecology, landscape genetics, and conservation of aquatic plants in freshwater ecosystems.
Postdoc Research
Cost-effective Wetland Risk Assessment for Ramsar Sites Management in Mexico
- Wetland Conservation Concerns in Southern Mexico - a review
- Ad-hoc groups and technical surveys to assess wetland functions and risks
- Multi criterion decision-making
Students' thesis advisor
Graduate
- Efraín Noriega, co-directora, “Conectividad de humedales con la especie focal Schoenoplectus californicus en humedales de tierras altas del centro-Occidente de México”, Maestría en Ciencias, INECOL-Pátzcuaro, tesis en andamiento (2022-2024). SWS RESEARCH GRANT 2023 ($1000)
- Carlos Hiram López López, co-directora, “Potencial bioactivo y medicinal de Nymphoides fallax”, Maestría en Ciencias Químico-Biológicas, UAQ, tesis en andamiento (2022-2024).
- Natalia Fourrey Arias, asesora, “Ensayos de germinación de Schoenoplectus californicus”, Maestría en Ciencias Biológicas, FCN-UAQ, tesis en andamiento (2022-2024).
Undergraduate
- Luis Olguín Chavez, directora, Aspectos reproductivos de la planta acuática distílica Nymphoides fallax Ornduff (Menyanthaceae). Licenciatura en Biología, FCN-UAQ, tesis concluida (2021-2022). SWS RESEARCH GRANT 2021 ($500)
- María Camila Forrero, co-directora, “Potencial de fitorremediación de la planta acuática Eleocharis acicularis (L.) Roem. & Schult (Cyperaceae) en diferentes ambientes químicos asociados a depósitos minerales en México”, Licenciatura en Geología, Universidad del Norte, Colombia, tesis concluida (2022-2023).
- María José Hernández de Santos, directora, “Análisis de ADN ambiental de un humedal temporal de tierras altas, Querétaro, México”, Licenciatura en Microbiología, FCN-UAQ, tesis en andamiento (2023-2024).
- José Andrés Valencia, asesora, “Ecological perspective for management of the invasive water hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes) in Mexico”, Licenciatura en Biología, FCN-UAQ, tesis en andamiento (2023-2024).
UAQ Social Program on Aquatic Plants coordinator
- Melanie Becerril, Biología, 2023
- María José Hernández de Santos, Microbiology, 2023
International Mentorship Program
- HumMentor Founder
- Organizadora de la convocatoria 2023-2024 del programa de mentoría científica SWS HumMentor, https://www.sws.org/hummentor/
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