About
Robin P. Marquez is a Goldwater Scholar and Dr. Ronald E. McNair Scholar at the University of Central Florida whose current work includes entomology (with a particular interest in native bees and flower-visiting wasps), pollinator ecology, and disease ecology. As one of the few Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Certified Professionals based in Orange County, Florida, Robin has previously used his horticultural knowledge to conduct research and education in sustainable landscaping that conserves our precious natural resources and supports wildlife. In tandem, he is driven to improve the inclusion and accessibility of environmental education and community science (also called citizen science) initiatives. Robin is eager to continue honing his skills as a scientist, educator, and conservation leader.
Currently, Robin is a pollinator ecology Research Assistant for the University of Central Florida Urban Ecology Lab (faculty mentor Dr. Patrick Bohlen, Dept. of Biology), Assistant Curator for the University of Central Florida Collection of Arthropods (colloquially called the "Bug Closet"), and completing research-based coursework with the Fedorka Lab.
Robin is also a Senior Research Volunteer for Yale University, contributing to the study of climate change and pathogenic Vibrio bacteria in the gut microbiome of mottled ducks (mentor Dr. Andrea Ayala, Ogbunu Lab, Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology).
Robin's previous experience includes:
Currently, Robin is a pollinator ecology Research Assistant for the University of Central Florida Urban Ecology Lab (faculty mentor Dr. Patrick Bohlen, Dept. of Biology), Assistant Curator for the University of Central Florida Collection of Arthropods (colloquially called the "Bug Closet"), and completing research-based coursework with the Fedorka Lab.
Robin is also a Senior Research Volunteer for Yale University, contributing to the study of climate change and pathogenic Vibrio bacteria in the gut microbiome of mottled ducks (mentor Dr. Andrea Ayala, Ogbunu Lab, Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology).
Robin's previous experience includes:
- University of Michigan Summer Research Opportunity Program (U-M SROP): Studied the effects of herbicide (dicamba) drift on morning glory (Ipomoea) populations and arthropod communities (faculty mentor Dr. Regina Baucom, Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology).
- Valencia College: independent hydrology and microbiology research project in collaboration with the Valencia College VECTOR program and Friends of the Wekiva River (faculty mentors Dr. Rita Luther, Professor of Biology; and Prof. James Adamski, Professor of Geology and President of Friends of the Wekiva River).
- University of Central Florida Research Experience for Undergraduates - Conservation, Restoration, and Communication: investigated effects of compost on plants and pollinators in suburban native plant landscape designs (faculty mentor Dr. Patrick Bohlen, Dept. of Biology).
- Research Volunteer, Florida Department of Environmental Protection: investigated pollinator ecology in sustainable coastal landscaping at a field station in Titusville, Florida (Principal Investigator Emily Surmont)
Banner picture by deasy bamford on Unsplash
