Research and professional interests
Highly accomplished and results-driven Marine Ecologist and Environmental Scientist with over 25 years of successful academic research, coral reef conservation and ecosystem rehabilitation leadership. Leverages finely-honed interpersonal and time management skills to successfully manage teaching and academic counceling, academic research activities, community-based entrepreneurship, and small environmental consulting business development. Energetic and goal-oriented, with a genuine passion for applying science for seeking solutions to environmental problems. Achieves research and costumer goals and objectives. Successful grants writer. Astute communicator and presenter.
Coral reef researchUnderstanding coral reef population, community and ecosystem responses to disturbance, with special interest in transitional dynamics associated to human-driven and climate change-related impacts. Addressing the role of terrestrial-marine connectivity in coastal ecosystem processes.
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- Applied Marine Ecology - Coral reef & seagrass transitional dynamics; Habitat homogenization; Human impacts
- Marine Biology - Natural history of marine ecosystems; Fish & invertebrate biology
- Ecological Rehabilitation - Coral propagation; Coral reef restoration; Rehabilitation of novel ecosystems
- Environmental Impacts - Study designs; Advanced statistical analyses; Marine mitigation
- Water Quality Analyses - Sampling designs; Microbiological analyses; Sediments; Hydroacoustics
- Climate Change Impacts - Multi-disciplinary research approaches; Sclerochronology; Paleo-climate
- Environmental Consulting - Policy; Permitting; Environmental Impacts Analyses; Compliance
- Natural Resource Management - Applied management-oriented research; Community-based participation
Coral bleaching and diseaseWhich are the long-term ecological consequences of coral bleaching and coral disease impacts, with particular interest in the dynamics of the stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD)?
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fish dynamicsWhich are the long-term impacts of coral reef and seagrass degradation on fish assemblages? What is the role of coral reef ecological rehabilitation on the recovery of fish communities?
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Ramicrusta textilis researchUnderstanding the ecological interactions between red encrusting algae Ramicrusta textilis (Peyssonneliacea, Rhodophyta) and corals, with emphasis on coral survival, growth, recruitment dynamics, bioerosion, herbivory, and fish assemblages.
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Halophila stipulacea research What are the mechanisms involved in the rapid expansion of the invasive Sea vine, Halophila stipulacea, across the Caribbean? Which are the long-term consequences of habitat homogenization on benthic invertebrate and demersal fish assemblages?
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OUR GOALCaribbean coral reefs, seagrasses and fish assemblages are declining. People are feeling in despair and hopeless. We're changing that. |
First Let'sDiscover
Question-driven applied research seeking solutions to multiple problems. Network with multiple institutions, government agencies, NGOs, and private stakeholders. Engage graduate and undergraduate students, and community-based volunteers.
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Now let's WORKConserve
Be part of the change you want see.. (Bob Marley) - Hope can only be achieved through active participation. Foster ecological rehabilitation and the integration of science-based and ecosystem-based solutions to environmental problems through interdisciplinary research.
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IT'S UP TO USChange
Change can be achieved through hands on participation and education (i.e., community outreach, technical training, scientific presentations, academic courses, participation in public forums). Integrate the public as possible in conservation and science.
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