B.S. Biology, Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Lima Peru
M.S. Zoology and Animal Behavior, North Carolina State University
Ph.D. Biology (Ecology and Conservation), University of Washington

• BES 312 Ecology
• BES 316 Field Methods in Ecology
• BES 301 Science, Methods and Practice
• BCORE 104 Urban Birds: Natural history of birds and other wldlife
• BIS 480 Study Abroad -Peru

My teaching is focused on the theory and application of topics in ecology (tropical and temperate systems), conservation, ornithology, natural history, human connections with the environment and field biology. In my courses, I provide opportunities for my students to develop an understanding of the processes and mechanisms that explain the interactions of species with their environments and other species, including the critical role that humans have on them. I integrate the use of critical analysis of scientific studies and the evidence that support hypothesis about species and ecosystems, with the students’ appreciation and connections with the mechanisms that allow life in the planet. I encourage student engagement, by providing opportunities for students to explore in their own interests related to the class and always incorporate the impact that natural sciences have in other disciplines or vice versa. Students in my classes not only learned from the information and exercises I provide, but also from extensive literature searches that support their learning.

Assignments in my courses involved the production of strong evidence-based work and the production of reports that accurately communicate science to a large range of public audiences. In some of my pre-major courses, I introduce the use of creative ways to learn and communicate science. My students use their creative and artistic skills or gain new ones to demonstrate what they learn on the topics covered in class. For example, my students have produced board games, videos, songs, children’s books, murals, and others.

In addition, I co-direct a field course that gives undergrads from all UW campuses hands-on experiences in field research and explorations of the biodiversity and conservation issues in the Andes and Amazon in Peru.

I am a tropical ecologist with a research interest in predator ecology, community ecology and tropical conservation. My research has involved the study of birds of prey in tropical rainforest of Peru, Ecuador and Panama. I am interested in the use of habitat by rainforest raptors and the mechanisms of coexistence of species. In particular, I have worked with Black-and-chestnut Eagles, Harpy Eagles, Laughing Falcons, Crested Caracaras, and more recently with 5 species of Forest-falcons. My studies have involved the understanding of the natural history of forest raptors, surveying birds of prey in different habitats, monitoring of forest-falcons with the use of radio-telemetry and determining their patterns of habitat use and how human activities are influencing the movements and distribution of forest raptors. I am also involved on the monitoring of bird populations in response of habitat changes in Southeastern Peru, and I also monitor bird populations in the restored North creek wetlands at the UW Bothell . My conservation work has involved social research, conservation education, as well as building capacity in conservation and field ecology in Peru and Panama, and the PNW. I am currently involved in a collaboration with Raptors Northwest, where we survey winter raptors in the Skagit flats, WA.

I collaborate with colleagues in multiple disciplines in which art and creativity intersect with natural history:

• Lessons from Urban Indigenous Immigrants
• Three Communities, One River