The Basics:
I am a full-time instructor at Universidad San Francisco de Quito and a Ph.D. student candidate in the School of Forestry, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences at the University of Florida.
What I’m doing in the REC Lab
I am researching social wildlife tourism interaction, specifically birdwatching and photography. My study is focused on the growing popularity of bird photography on digital platforms to uncover the motivations and perceptions behind this trend. To achieve this objective, I use a mixed-methods approach and gather data from birding communities in Northwestern Ecuador and Central Florida.
Who am I?
Education and Background
- Ph.D. Student Candidate in Ecotourism, School of Forest, Fisheries and Geomatics Sciences at the University of Florida, in progress
- Transfer Ph.D. Candidate in Parks Management & Conservation Department – Horticulture and Natural Resources from Kansas State University, 2018
- M.Sc. in Biodiversity Conservation in Tropical Areas from Universidad Menéndez-Pelayo UIMP (Spain), 2009
- B.Sc in Applied Ecology from Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Quito-Ecuador, 1998-2002
The Details
I am from Ecuador and have worn various professional hats in some of the most breathtaking regions, including the Galapagos, Andes, Cloud Forest, and Amazon. Observing birds and exploring uncharted territories are two of my greatest passions, and I never miss an opportunity to travel, especially with my family.
Recreation, Ecotourism, and Conservation Lab 