Investigations into the ecology of vertebrates with focus on how animals respond to and manage the extreme seasonality of the seasonally dry tropical forest.

Dr. Daniel Beck, CWU Biology Professor
 

Dr. Daniel Beck, a terrestrial ecologist who specializes in reptiles, is the primary CWU mentor for projects investigating the ecology of vertebrates with focus on how animals respond to and manage the extreme seasonality of the dry tropical forest.

Dr. Andres Garcia Aguayo, Estación de Biología, Chamela, UNAM

Dr. Andres Garcia is one of Mexico’s top herpetologists, Dr. Garcia has contributed significantly to research on tropical dry forest conservation, and reptiles and amphibians of Mexico.  He and Dr. Beck (CWU) have maintained academic ties since they studied as students together at EBCh in the late-1980s.

Dr. Katherine Renton, UNAM Professor and Resident Biologist, Estación de Biología, Chamela

Dr. Katherine Renton is a resident researcher at EBCh who is renowned for her work on avian ecology and conservation (especially parrots) in tropical forests. She will mentor students on projects involving habitat variation in fruiting phenology, availability of nesting resources for primary and secondary cavity-nesters, and habitat use by avian communities. 

Investigations into the host-parasite relationships between Triatoma spp., the Trypanosomes they transmit, and the mammals that serve as hosts.

Dr. Gabrielle Stryker, CWU Biology Professor
 

CWU parasitologist Dr. Gabrielle Stryker, will be the primary CWU mentor for projects investigating the host-parasite relationships between Triatoma spp., the trypanosomes they transmit, and the mammals that serve as hosts.

Dr. Victor Manuel Sánchez Cordero, Director, Instituto de Biología Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)

Dr. Víctor Sánchez-Cordero Dávila and his students have published extensively on topics ranging from conservation biology, tropical dry forest ecology and Chagas disease. He and Dr. Stryker (CWU) are currently collaborating on using molecular techniques to identify trypanosome parasites in both Triatoma and their forest-dwelling mammalian hosts.

Research to advance road ecology in seasonally dry tropical forest by investigating effects of a major coastal highway on ecological connectivity of vertebrates. 

Dr. Kris Ernest, CWU Biology Professor
 

Dr. Kristina Ernest is an expert in road ecology.  For the SOBRE Mexico program, Dr. Ernest will work with Dr. Vega, applying findings from the I-90 expansion through the Cascade Mountains and innovative solutions being used (wildlife underpasses and overpasses) to allow wildlife re-connectivity.

Dr. Jorge Vega, UNAM Professor and Chief, Estación de Biología, Chamela

Dr. Jorge Vega Rivera’s research focuses on the ecology of terrestrial vertebrates, especially birds and conservation of tropical dry forest species and their habitats.  As chief of the field station, Dr. Vega Rivera will work with CWU professor Dr. Kristina Ernest to advise students on research projects associated with Advance road ecology in seasonally dry tropical forests by investigating effects of a major coastal highway on ecological connectivity of vertebrates.

Dr. Alison Scoville, CWU Biology Professor
 

Dr. Allison Scoville, a quantitative biologist, will guide experimental design and statistical analysis on all projects. Foreign mentors Garcia and Vega Rivera already have preliminary data sets on reptiles, amphibians, and road ecology that Dr. Scoville can oversee in analyzing with CWU students who wish to work on those projects.