I’m currently a second year graduate student in the Ecology, Evolution and Behavior program. My research focuses mainly on testing diversification hypotheses in the Guiana Shield. Located in South America, north of the Amazon and east of the Andes, the Guiana Shield is a discontinuous ecosystem of flattop mountains (Tepuis), which were formed about 90 million years ago after several periods of erosion. Because these mountains are thought to be largely isolated from the lowlands (they reach altitudes of 3000m and have vertical cliffs that can be 1000m long), and are also thought to have been forest refuges during glacial cycles, this is a unique system for testing diversification hypotheses. My research will be aimed towards one of the most diverse frog families in the region, Hylidae (Treefrogs), but will also focus on comparative phylogeography of different groups such as reptiles, and bromeliads (plants).

I’m originally from Caracas, Venezuela, where I completed my undergraduate studies at Universidad Simon Bolivar.