I am a tropical plant community ecologist working at the interface of plant-microbial dynamics. My research integrates large-scale field, greenhouse, and laboratory experiments with molecular techniques to address questions fundamental to understanding the distribution and maintenance of biodiversity in tropical forests. I completed my undergraduate degree in Biology at Universidad de los Andes in Colombia, I did a Masters at the same university and then I obtained my Ph.D. in a joint program between Université Montpellier in France, and Universidad de Los Andes. After, I joined the scientific community at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama, where I had two postdoctoral appointments.

Tweets by CamiloZalamea

I am a biologist/microbiologist with experience in tropical aquatic fungi, wood density and anatomy, host-microbial interactions in the skin of tropical frogs, and plant-microbial interactions. After getting my Master’s degree from Universidad de Los Andes in Bogotá – Colombia, my curiosity and passion for tropical ecology have invited me to explore different research areas working in three different countries in South and Central America: Panama, French Guiana and Colombia. I have spent the last 8 years (2012-2019) living in Panamá and working with tropical seed-associated microbes.

Postdoctoral Researcher:

Dr. Lindsay McCulloch

I am a tropical ecologist interested in how plant-microbial interactions influence ecosystem-level properties and function, such as biodiversity and biogeochemical cycling. My previous work has focused on nutrient-acquiring plant-microbial interactions, such as nitrogen-fixing bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi. This work included greenhouse and field-manipulative experiments, as well as large-scale observational studies. I received my undergraduate degree in Environmental Biology and Geography from Colgate University, followed by my Masters and Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Brown University. My first postdoctoral position was funded by NOAA’s Climate and Global Change Fellowship and I was hosted at Harvard University.

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Graduate Students:

Gabriela Quesada-Ávila

PhD Student

I am a Costa Rican tropical biologist graduated from the Universidad Nacional of Costa Rica. My main research interests are the ecology and dynamics of complex plant and soil interactions in tropical ecosystems. As a PhD student in Dr. Zalamea’s lab, I would like to deepen into the mechanisms behind plant-soil-microorganisms interactions and how they are translated into the adaptation and survival of plant communities and their implications on the ecosystem level. When I’m not studying biotic interactions, I enjoy martial arts, painting, hiking, and other outdoor activities. I am honored and excited to be part of the Zalamea Lab! 

Nathali Jiménez

PhD Student

I am a Colombian biologist with concentrations in molecular biology and biotechnology. Throughout my career I have found great passion in microbiology, especially in its applications in agriculture, restoration ecology and bioremediation. As a master’s student in Dr. Zalamea’s Lab I hope to further understand the complex plant-microbe interactions, as a basis for developing applications that can help us face challenges related to climate change, anthropogenic disturbances, and food safety issues. I consider myself a loving, kind, empathetic person and a responsible and committed professional who is always trying to give her best to achieve her own goals and help others. Apart from science I enjoy practicing different arts and crafts, cooking, baking, and learning from different cultures
and languages.

Sofia E. Ocampo

MS Student

I am an American-Nicaraguan plant ecologist interested in the biodiversity of non-pathogenic fungal endophytes in natural ecosystems, especially root endophytes (mycorrhizae). I study this system with the hope that this information can be integrated into disturbance mitigation of threatened ecosystems. 

I am from Miami, FL, where I also did my undergraduate degree at FIU. In my time at FIU, my professors were some of my biggest cheerleaders and provided me with many of the opportunities I had. I plan on becoming a professor so that I might be able to help students the same way mine helped me. In my time at USF I hope to better my teaching skills through TAing labs and mentorship of undergrads. 

In my free time I enjoy playing video games and reading fantasy books!

Daniella Fuller

MS Student

I am a biologist with an interest in plant ecology. I am specifically drawn to the microbes that interact with plants in all stages of life, like bacteria and fungi. As a Masters student in the Zalamea lab, my research will consider the diverse and complex nature of plant-microbe interactions in hopes of addressing current topics such as forest restoration and diverse ecosystem-level understanding of tropical forests using the background I have in microbiology. I also hope to build my pedagogy skills as a TA at USF to apply toward my dream of becoming a professor. I am from Florida and received my undergraduate degree from USF. In my free time I love to play the guitar, piano, and draw.

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Alumni:

Daniela Varón

I am a Colombian biologist interested in the processes that maintain tropical forest diversity. Specifically, I am fascinated by  how microbial interactions with plants can influence forest dynamics in terms of plant function and species distributions.  My research involves field and/or greenhouse experiments and molecular ecology, including next-gen sequencing and culturing, to study microbial communities associated with plants.

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Field and laboratory technicians:

Jorge Mora

I am a costarican geographer who graduated from Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica. My main research interest is biogeography. I am interested in understanding how interactions between organism change, taking as a reference the location of these interactions. I have experience working with stingless bees ecology, monitoring biological corridors to understand the effectiveness of those spaces, and climbing trees to learn about canopy ecology. As part of Zalamea’s Lab, I hope to enhance my knowledge about seed-fungal interactions to understand how these relationships impact Neotropics’ biodiversity. Besides science, I like to practice cyclist, and Brazilian Jiujitsu, hike, read, and spend time drinking coffee or cooking with good talks.

Dennis Tenorio

My experience as a botanical technician in research projects in Costa Rica has added to my interest in the taxonomy and ecology of trees, especially in their early stages as seedlings and saplings. I am interested in the effect of fungi and bacteria on seedling physiology, focusing on the cotyledons and the strategies used by different families to survive in the early stages. I have a degree in Forestry Sciences from the National University of Costa Rica and in Anthropology from the University of Costa Rica, this leads me to an interest in ethnobotany and the anthropology of tropical forest conservation. I enjoy making music with friends, literature, Taekwondo, chess and clearly, the forest.

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Alice Balansard

Isabelle Moody

Alyssa Guarino

Alyxandra (Aly) Palumbo

Hansika Wadhwa

Laura Rodriguez

Caitlyn Coleman

Mae Horne

Nimrit Doad

Estefanía Osorio