Plant evolutionary ecology, systematics & speciation
We infer phylogenies and use them as a framework to study processes that drive plant diversity using comparative methods, genomics, field and greenhouse experiments. Read more.
 
Current lab members 
N. Ivalú Cacho
(Principal Investigator)

I am a plant evolutionary biologist interested in the biogeography of lineage divergence and the evolution of adaptations promoting ecological specialization.
Brenda Hernández Hernández, Bren
(Masters student)

Brenda loves leaves, all shapes and kinds. She is also a fern lover and has an awesome blog here:

Brenda's blog    

Check it out!
Fernanda Rosales Ramos, Fer
(Undergraduate, honors thesis)

Fer is interested in all things pollination.  For her thesis, Fer studies pollination in Mexican mistletoes (Loranthaceae) that occur on our campus biological reserve of unique volcanic vegetation (REPSA).
Daniel José Zacatula, Daniel
(Undergraduate, senior thesis)

Daniel studied biology at ITVO in the city of Oaxaca. Daniel is studying patterns of pollen production in Caribbean Euphorbia tithymaloides. Daniel also has a passion for Oaxacan food (how could he not?!)
Itzel Piña de la Rosa, Itzel
(Undergraduate, senior thesis)

Itzel studies biology at the Faculty of Sciences and is interested in speciation. For her thesis, she is working with phenology and reward E. tithymaloides.

Marlene Vázquez Ibarra, Marlene
(Undergraduate, senior thesis)

Marlene studies biology at the Faculty of Sciences and is working on deciphering floral visitators of E. tithymaloides.
Clara López Marmolejo, Clara
(Undergraduate, intern)

Clara studies biology at the Faculty of Sciences and is working on hummingbird morphology in relation to E. tithymaloides.
Max Demián Medina, Max
(Undergraduate, intern)

Max is from Chihuahua, likes dogs, and is a great artist. In the lab, Max helps us design outreach materials, and also with all things in the lab, mainly DNA extractions.
Alumni
Veronica Alavez Salgado, Vero
(Undergraduate, honors thesis)

Vero is interested in interactions.  Vero studied herbivory and arthropods associated with morphologically divergent sister species of Viburnum in Chiapas.
Vero defended and graduated with honors in December 2019. Congrats, Vero!!
Ana Celeste Martínez, Celeste
(Applied statistics at IIMAS)

Celeste is a bee systematist. For her applied statistics graduate program thesis, she analyzed ecological data during an intership in the lab. She graduated in December 2019. Congrats Celeste!
María Monteverde
(Masters student)

For her masters, María studied geographical patterns in morphology
in Euphorbia tithymaloides.
Grizel Mota, Griz
(Undergraduate)

Griz is broadly interested in phylogenetic systematics, and will be working in expanding our sampling in Thelypodieae, one of the most diverse clades of mustards (Brassicaceae).
Ana Luz Mendoza, Ana Luz
(Visiting undergraduate student)

Ana Luz visitued us from BUAP (in Puebla) in the summer of 2018. During her tenure in the lab, Ana Luz helped estimate damage levels in the field experienced by morphologically diverent sister species of Viburnum in Chiapas, Mexico.
Ana Gabriela Martínez
Ana helped with lab logistics during 2017.

María Monteverde
(Undergraduate, honors thesis)

María defended and graduated with honors in December 2016, with a thesis on systematics of Streptanthus.
Arturo Cañongo
(Visiting undergraduate, 2016)

Arturo (from BUAP) is interested in plant anatomy and morphology. He is compiling databases on morphology of various plant groups we study in the lab, and collaborating with Dr. Laura Calvillo on leaf venation patterns across angiosperms.
   Come visit!

    We are located in gorgeous Mexico City

     Instituto de Biología, UNAM
     Departamento de Botánica A-204
     3er Circuito de Ciudad Universitaria
     Delegación Coyoacán, MEXICO, D.F. 04510

     Phone: + 52 (55) 5622 9125