Profile

• Time Zone

  Central

  
  
• Organization

  University of Missouri - St. Louis

  
  
• Role

  Scientist Mentor: I will mentor teams of students online

  
  
• Research Interests (300 words)

  Plant animal interactions, pollination, seed dispersal, plant reproductive phenology, plant breeding systems, tropical botany, conservation biology of endangered plant and animal species.

  
  
• 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 amazing stories of how plants reproduce and disperse their genes and their offspring, and how they manage to do it without being able to move and find each other, or track favorable environmental conditions. Plants display an astonishing diversity of adaptations for effective pollination and seed dispersal using whatever means are available to them: from wind, water, and gravity, to animals of all sizes and forms. I am always eager to share these stories with others, but also learn about new ones I have not yet heard about.

  
  
• Profile Question 2

  When and why did you decide to go into a science career?

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

  I have always been fascinated with nature and I knew I wanted to become a biologist since chilhood . It took me a long while to finally find out which field in biology I wanted to pursue, but it was on my third year of college when I learned about plants' amazing natural history and diversity of forms and ecological strategies. I have been studying plant reproductive ecology ever since, and I am especially interested in the evolution and ecology of plant animal mutualisms such as pollination and seed dispersal. I am working towards a PhD because that degree will allow me to get a job in science and contribute to shape our relationship with the environment through high quality research, education, and outreach.

  
  
• Profile Question 3

  Do you have advice for students about preparing for a science career?

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

  Ultimately, science is all about curiosity and wonder about the natural world although making a career in science nowadays requires a strong commitment, great dedication, and a ton of hard work. But if you can turn your love and admiration for nature into your main motivation and drive, then you will be more likely to maintain a positive attitude and work diligently towards achieving your scientific goals. So, if you are considering a career in science take your time to think carefully what truly motivates you to pursue a science path. Is it because you have been told by teachers and others that you are good at it? Or is it because you get very excited about making new discoveries, learn new things, face complex problems that require a lot of pondering and critical thinking? If you are comfortable with not knowing things or not understanding patterns and processes in nature because you will enjoy the intellectual challenge of unraveling those mysteries, then you will surely find joy and a sense of purpose in a science career. If so, give it your best shot because success won't come otherwise. Besides, more often than not doing science it's actually a lot of fun. Ask a scientist, they'll tell you.

  
  
• Availability

  I am NOT available, please temporarily remove me from the available mentor list

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

  1