About

I am an incoming PhD student at the Bernot lab at the University of Connecticut Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department. I am pursuing my undergraduate degree at the University of Puerto Rico - Humacao with a major in Wildlife Management. I have also received awards or recognition from Princeton University EEB department, the Ecological Society of America and SACNAS. I am a Doris Duke Conservation Scholars (DDCSP) Alumni at the Universitu of California Santa Cruz and I am passionate about mentoring and DEI.

I have participated in multiple summer research programs including DDCSP, the Zoo Miami REU program, and the Evolutionary Biology REU program at the University of Iowa. Equipped with a diverse set of research skills, I thrive in both data-driven and fieldwork environments. Proficient in R Statistical Software, Insight Maker, and various wet lab techniques including infrared spectroscopy and chromatography, I've engaged in a spectrum of research experiences that have shaped my academic and professional trajectory.

Committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in STEM, I've taken on leadership roles such as Founding President of the SACNAS UPRH Chapter and participation in initiatives like the UNIDE Student Advisory Board. Through endeavors like the LGBTQ+ STEM Cast podcast I cultivated supportive communities within academia that value diverse perspectives. I am passionate about suppoting students especially those coming from underrepresenetd backgrounds.

Research

University of Iowa REU 2023: Evaluating the Interaction Between Heat Stress Expected Under Climate Change and Nutrient Limitation in a Freshwater Snail 


Future climate predictions indicate a rise in temperature and due to eutrophication, there will be higher nutrient availability in lakes. In freshwater systems, consumers are often limited by Phosphorus (P) availability. Potamopyrgus antipodarum is a species of freshwater snail native to New Zealand and it is known to reproduce sexually and asexually. In this study, we aimed to examine the effects of both temperature-induced stress and P limitation on P. antipodarum. We mimicked future climate predictions by separating the snails into 2 temperature treatments (16°C and 24°C) and we manipulated the P availability by using a Low P and High P diet. Virtual Poster

Zoo Miami REU 2022: Human Voice Recognition in Exotic Cats


Vocal recognition has been previously examined in species such as gorillas, primates and cattle. Saito and Shinozuka previously demonstrated that domestic cats responded differently to their owner’s voice compared to unfamiliar voices. Very little is known about human voice recognition in members of the Felidae family. In this study we examined responses to auditory cues for three levels of familiarity (Familiar, less familiar and unfamiliar). We studied 5 individuals from 3 different species, Panthera tigris sumatrae, Acinonyx jubatus and Leptailurus serval.

Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Field Course


During the summer of 2021 I participated in the University of California Santa Cruz Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program immersive summer field course. I was selected for this nationally competitive program alongside 19 fellow scholars. During the summer we designed, implemented, and communicated the results of our own research projects across various natural reserves in California. We visited Blue Oak Ranch Reserve, Point Reyes Field Station, Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Lab, White Mountain Research Center, and Big Creek Reserve. Through the projects I developed a suite of scientific skills (statistics, experimental design, writing), and practiced other important skills in leadership and storytelling. We did a total of 4 research studies that concluded with a research presentation to hone our communication skills. My final project focused on the effects of fire and landslide disturbance on streambank plant communities after Big Surs Dolan Fire.

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}

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