ABOUT ME

• I am a botanist from Puerto Rico studying plant taxonomy, phylogenetics, ecology, and genomic evolution

• My botanical expertise is mainly focused on neotropical plants, in particular from the Caribbean region

• I am currently studying molecular phylogenetics and systematics of tropical mistletoes (Loranthaceae, Santalaceae, Viscaceae) and birdcatcher trees (Nyctaginaceae: Pisonieae)

Current Academic Affiliations

• Instructional Associate Professor of Biology and Herbarium Curator, University of Mississippi

• Research Associate, Botany Department, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution

Academic Degrees

• Doctorate in Biology, The Pennsylvania State University

• Masters in Biology, University of Puerto Rico Río Piedras

• Bachelor in Biology, University of Puerto Rico Río Piedras

• Associate Degree in Science, University of Puerto Rico Bayamón

Academic Distinctions

• Alfred P. Sloan Scholar

• Smithsonian Institution Peter Buck Postdoctoral Fellow (Botany Department, 2018-2020)

Academic Service

• Subject editor for the scientific journals Phytokeys, Biodiversity Data Journal, and the Journal of Plant Taxonomy and Geography (Webbia)

• Expertise on the taxonomy of parasitic plants, birdcatcher trees, and the flora of the West Indies

• Reviewer of research articles for several scientific journals

Research Experience

• Phylogenetic and bioinformatic analyses

  • Genome assembly and annotation, transcriptome processing for gene discovery and phylogenetics

• Herbarium management and databasing

• Field work to collect specimens, samples, living tissue, and seeds of plants

• Laboratory work processing samples for genomics (DNA, PCR, library building) and transcriptomics (RNA) studies

• Ecological studies on pollination, seed dispersal, and forest dynamics

• Taxonomic treatments and building interactive digital keys to recognize species

• Collaborations with scientists from other fields by providing samples or expertise

My scientific publications are listed in Google Scholar, Research Gate, and ORCID

Visit the Projects section for more details on my research activities

Send me an email using this contact form