Education and professional experience:

- Duke University , ABD, Ph.D. Program in Ecology, August 2000 to present.

- Duke University , research associate, August 1999- August 2000.

- San Diego State University/UC Davis, Joint Doctoral Program, 1998-1999.

- Utah State University , Logan , M.A. in Range Sciences, 1995-1998.

- University of Helsinki , courses in Ecology of the Vegetation of Southeast Asia, Taxonomy and Biology of Mosses, and Biogeography of Southern South America, 1994.

- University of Wales , Bangor , courses in Vegetation Classification, Plant Community Ecology, and Population and Physiological Ecology, 1993.

 - Universidad Complutense de Madrid, B.A. in Biology (Botany), 1993. Licenciatura de Grado, 1994.

Awards:

- Biology grant-in-aid, Department of Biology, Duke University , three times, 2002-04.

- Fulbright Fellowship to pursue a M.A. degree in Utah State University, Logan, Rangeland Resources Department, September 1995 to February 1998.

- University of Helsinki Fellowship, Department of Botany, February 1994 to June 1994. Research with Professor T. Ahti in “Ecology, Physiology, and Taxonomy of Lichens.”

- ERASMUS Fellowship to attend the University of Wales , Bangor , School of Biological Sciences. October 1993 to February 1994. Project “Lichens and Pollution.”

Teaching Experience:

SDSU- Biology 215 - Biostatistics Lab. Two semesters. Provided methods and experience in defining and solving quantitative problems in the life and behavioral sciences. Emphasis on the design of experiments, and the application of a variety of techniques to the analysis of data. Lab includes explanation of theory and computer training.

Duke- Biology 110 - Ecology Lab. Three semesters. Physical, chemical, and biological processes that determine the distribution and abundance of plants and animals, emphasizing physiological responses, population dynamics, species interaction, biogeography, nutrient cycling, and energy flow through food webs.

Reviews for:

Biotropica

Journal of Ecology

Conference Presentations and Posters:

“Predicting tree seedling recruitment of resident and potential immigrant species under climate change.” Oral presentation. Ecological Society of America , 2005. Montreal , Canada .

“Interannual variability and tree species recruitment. Implications under global change.” Poster presentation. Winemiller Symposium, 2004. Columbia , MO.

“Regional and temporal variability on habitat suitability for seedling establishment.” Poster presentation.Ecological Society of America, 2004. Portland , OR .

“Role of climatic variability on tree species recruitment.” Poster presentation. Ecological Society of America , 2003. Savanna, GA.

“Role of environmental gradients on tree species recruitment. Comparisons within and between sites.” Poster presentation. Ecological Society of America , 2002. Tucson , AZ.

“ The role of seed fall patterns vs environmental resources in the spatial distribution of tree seedlings.” Poster presentation. Ecological Society of America , 2001. Madison , WI .

“Effects of seed rain and fecundity variability on the successional dynamics of neighboring communities.” Poster presentation. Ecological Society of America , 2000. Snowbird, UT.

“Long-term photosynthetic response of Southern California Chaparral to elevated CO 2 .” Poster presentation. Ecological Society of America , 1999. Spokane , WA .

“Successional History of a Curleaf Mountain Mahogany Stand: a Hypothesis.” Poster presentation. Shrublands Ecotones, 1998. Ephraim , UT.

“Environmental conditions affecting emergence and seedling establishment of the tree Cercocarpus ledifolius during the first growing season.” Ecological Society of America , 1998. Baltimore , MD.

“Contribución al conocimiento de la flora liquénica epífita de Barco de Ávila (Ávila, España).” Poster presentation. X Simposio Nacional de Botánica Criptogámica, 1994. Tenerife , Spain .