I obtained my degrees in Biology and MSc at the University of Antioquia. During my studies, I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Gabriel Bedoya-Berrío and Dr. Andrés Ruiz-Linares in the field of anthropological genetics of Colombian populations. During that stage of my academic career, I concentrated on understanding the evolution of native Colombians and a human isolated population in northwestern Colombia, integrating both molecular and historical data.

I obtained my PhD degree in Conservation Genetics from the University of New Orleans. My research there, under the direction of Dr. Nicola Anthony, focused on the evolutionary dynamics of nuclear translocations of mitochondrial DNA (NUMTs) in African great apes and their potential as cladistic markers.

I currently hold a faculty position at the University of Antioquia, where I lead the Animal Genetics Lab. My professional interests include conservation genetics of wildlife in the Neotropics, with a particular focus on the great diversity of Colombian primates. I integrate genetic tools and field data to assess processes of diversification, diagnose problems in conservation and use this information to inform conservation decisions. I have also collaborated with projects in population genetics and molecular taxonomy of mammals, fishes, birds, butterflies and plants.

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