Profile

• Time Zone

  Pacific

  
  
• Organization

  University of California - Riverside

  
  
• Role

  Scientist Mentor: I will mentor teams of students online

  
  
• Research Interests (300 words)

  I am currently a Ph.D. student at the University of California, Riverside. I research cultural and biological aspects of plant-based abortions in Michoacán, Mexico. Michoacán is home to nine pueblos magicos (magical towns) of 121 in all of Mexico. The practice of plant-based abortions comes from indigenous knowledge in these pueblos magicos.
  This work focuses on the current movement for reproductive rights and justice for gender violence, known as La Marea Verde.
  
  Before my time at Riverside, I studied the cultural and local economic value of an invasive plant (Southern Cattail) in Lake Patzcuaro, Michoacán, Mexico. Patzcuaro is also one of the many pueblos magicos in Mexico. The invasive reed surrounding Lake Patzcuaro has been routinely removed using machinery. After my research, it was clear that this invasive reed has a big cultural and local economic purpose for many people in Lake Patzcuaro.
  
  TLDR: Research interests include --> Ethnobotany, medicinal plant use, reproductive rights, Mexico

  
  
• Do you have previous experience in mentorship or educational outreach? Please list here (200 words)

  (1) ALAS Mentorship Program: Mentor 2016-2018
  
  -Mentored to 3-4 undergraduate students.
  
  -This program aims to provide additional support to low-income, undocumented, or other underrepresented students.
  
  
  
  (2) Chicano Link Peer Mentor Program for 2021- 2022
  
  - mentored an undergraduate student in the process of applying to graduate school (now a future San Francisco State Masters student!)
  
  
  
  (3) Ezcurra Lab Mentoring
  
  - Danna Castro Rueda = undergraduate researcher
  
  - Ally Richards = masters student to now PhD student
  
  - Hilda Maldonado = undergraduate researcher
  
  
  (4) PlantingScience based on NSF grant work 2021-Present
  
  -Master Plant Science Team (MPST) program
  
  -Mentor for middle to high school students
  
  (5) Graduate Student Mentorship Program at UCR
  -Mentor 3 incoming graduate students

  
  
• Which of the following best describes your career stage?

  Graduate Student

  
  
• Profile Question 1

  What is the coolest thing you have discovered or learned about plants?

  
  
• Answer the question you selected for profile question 1 here (300 words):

  The coolest thing I have learned about plants is that some plants have evolved to produce chemical compounds that they use to defend themselves against herbivores, insects, other plants, and diseases. I think it's amazing how when triggered plants know to produce toxic compounds to produce defenses.

  
  
• Profile Question 2

  Can you describe your attitude toward science when you were in high school?

  
  
• Answer the question you selected for profile question 2 here (300 words):

  In high school I was in love with the sciences, I took Anatomy & Physiology, Biology, Chemistry, Marine Biology, and Earth Science. These were always my favorite types of classes. I was so certain I would go on to become a Marine Biologist. Every day I read books about marine ecosystems and animals and carried around a book with information on marine organisms.

  
  
• Profile Question 3

  What is tough about being a scientist?

  
  
• Answer the question you selected for profile question 3 here (300 words):

  I think the toughest part for me is when your research plans do not work out and often times you fail repeatedly in order to reach success. It can be a painful process, but if your research is something you love it will always be worth it.

  
  
• Help represent the outreach efforts of your societies. Please click all those organizations you are a member of:

  Botanical Society of America
  Ecological Society of America
  Society for Economic Botany
  Society of Ethnobiology

  
  
• How did you hear about PlantingScience?

  Partner Organization E-mail
  Through the Society for Economic Botany

  
  
• Preferred Investigation Themes

  Celery Challenge (plant anatomy, osmosis and diffusion)
  What about Pollen? (pollen and pollination)
  Agronomy Feeds the World (where does food come from?)
  Tree-mendous Trees

  
  
• Challenge, ELL, Honors

  Academically Challenged
  ELL - English language learners
  Honors or AP - Advanced Placement

  
  
• In addition to English, I am comfortable communicating with students in the following languages:

  Spanish

  
  
• Videoconference Ability

  Yes

  
  
• Capacity: How many teams at a time are you comfortable working with?

  2

  
  

Recent Posts

Kate, Lucy, Audrey Guadalupe Maldonado Andrade Apr 19, 2023

Hi everyone! 

I just wanted to check in and see how your plants are going. :)

 

Max, Max, Henry Guadalupe Maldonado Andrade Apr 19, 2023

Hi Max,

Please upload as a jpeg or pdf. I look forward to seeing the update! 

 

Kate, Lucy, Audrey Guadalupe Maldonado Andrade Mar 28, 2023

Hello Lucy! 

Cling wrap/plastic film is great for retaining moisture and heat, but I think it could help to poke some holes to allow for air. Since we also don't want fungus and such to form.