My research is focused, but not restricted to the ecology of insect-plant interactions, plant defenses, extrafloral nectaries, ants, herbivores, pollinators, and insect behavior. Below is a list of projects I have worked on.

As Principal Investigator:
Optimal defense hyphothesis in Mimosa pudica Cornell University. 2021

Worked and analyzed data from Greenhouse experiments about the plant defensive response, secondary metabolites and its effect on leaf herbivory.

Results: one scientific publication in process.

Morphology, ultrastructure and function of extrafloral
nectaries in two cacti species Puebla, México.. 2017-2018

Analyzed the morphological and ultrastructural characteristics of extrafloral nectaries of Ferocactus recurvus and Opuntia streptacantha in Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley, México. Examined their function in association with ants and pollinators in the field. Funded by the Cactus and Succulents Society of America, USA.

Results: two scientific publications, one submitted and the other published as preprint. LINK HERE.

As Volunteer and Principal Investigator:
Plant-pollinator interaction networks Cornell University. 2021

Collected and identified insect pollinators in the botanic gardens and natural areas. Performed plant-pollinator interaction network analysis.

Results: one scientific publication in process.

As Research collaborator:
Evolution of defense against herbivores in plants:
an optimal model allocation and field study Hidalgo, México. 2012-2019

Conducted field work related to collect tissues for secondary metabolites analysis, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, measuring plant defensive traits and seed set of Opuntia robusta plants. Collaborators: Dr. Mariusz Janczur.

Results: four scientific publications in process.

Direct and indirect defenses against herbivores
in Myriocarpa longipes (URTICACEAE) Veracruz, México. 2019-2020

Conducted field work related to analyze the effect of ants and domatia position on herbivore damage of Myriocarpa longipes.Collaborators: Dr. Mariusz Janczur.

Results: one scientific publication. LINK HERE

Morphological and anatomical description of extrafloral nectaries of Opuntia robusta México. 2015

Conducted laboratory work using different microscopical techniques, such as TEM, SEM, and light. Research internship at Colegio de Postgraduados.

Results: one scientific publication. LINK HERE