Overview

Growing up in Puerto Rico, the misuse and abuse that results in the deterioration of coastal resources was evident since childhood.  Practically raised on the family beach house on the southeastern shore of the island, I observed activity that negatively affected the coast.  Every passing year, I would observe the decline of beautiful corals, urchins, turtles and reef fish that I called my very own.     

The lack of education to comprehend the mechanics and biological effects associated with this destruction, the inability to create public awareness, and the lack of a medium to communicate these problems to the scientific community ignited my interests in advocating for the conservation of marine systems.  As a result, I pursued a BS in Environmental Science at the University of Puerto Rico and a Masters degree in Marine Biology at San Francisco State University . I am currently pursuing my doctoral degree at Washington State University Vancouver.         

 

 

My research entails the areas of marine ecology and conservation biology. As a researcher, I have worked with both terrestrial and marine systems in New Mexico, Puerto Rico, Indo-Pacific and Hawaii.  My research has included the study of invertebrate marine systematics and ecology, conservation of endangered, threatened and sensitive species and the study of the population dynamics of coastal fishes in order to enhance marine reserves.  

My current research at Washington State University , focuses on the use of Geographic Information Systems and NOAAS archived remote sensing imagery in mapping and delineating essential habitats and fish-habitat associations across a scale consistent with the ecological processes at hand. Characterization of benthic habitats is of essential importance when considering the effectiveness and implementation of marine reserves as a fisheries management.                                                     

This research will allow for a habitat-based ecological assessment consistent with patterns of habitat used by reef fish in an existing MPA network in Hawaii .  These efforts will be highly relevant to the understanding of ecological mechanisms and monitoring efforts directed towards enhancing marine reserve function.