Research Interest


PhD Program in Ecology and Evolution
University of Illinois at Chicago






1) Plant-Mycorrhizal interactions:
    In the tropics the most common form of mycorrhizal association is the arbuscular mycorrhizae (AMF). Most of the plants in the forest form this mutualistic association from which both plants and fungi benefit. AMF are an important link between biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem and therefore the understanding of their role on maintaning plant population and communities is essential for the recovery of ecosystem functionality. My research goal is to find links between AMF richness, plant species coexistence and ecosystem functionality.



2) Tropical Restoration Ecology:
      Fragmented landscapes in the tropics are the result of deforestation and intense landuse in the tropics. Natural secondary succession in pastures are common part of tropical forested landscapes but this process is often constraint because of the inability of seeds to reach pasture. If seeds do reach pastures then nutrient and water resource may limit early seedling establishment. I am interested on tropical restoration efforts in tropical systems that mitigate for human disturbance. Some restoration efforts (such as the one taking place at Los Tuxtla), accelarate succession by planting native species in pasture that would otherwise take years to reach the pastures or that would probably never make it. In this context I am interested on the role of AMF on early seedling establishment in pastures and their role on plant coexistence. I will focus on belowground processes of forest recovery and their effect on structuring plant communities. AMF are essential for this recovery because they are the link between plants and soil resources.  
     I will begin my research at a restoration site in the Biological Station Los Tuxtla, Veracruz, Mexico. In collaboration with Hormoz Bassirirad´s lab and Gregory Mueller at the Chicago Field Museum I will approach this questions.
México, Los Tuxtla Restoration Site
AMF sampling site


Plots isolated from the cattle.


Me inside the plots.