Masters Students

Sebastián Martínez

Masters Student

js.martinez1234[at]uniandes.edu.co

My research interests center on evolutionary ecology and species delimitation within an integrative taxonomy framework, supported by ecophysiological approaches, with a particular emphasis on the thermal ecology of Neotropical organisms. I am interested in understanding how genetic patterns and physiological traits shape intraspecific variation, and how these traits influence species’ capacity to persist and adapt across environmental gradients. To address these questions, I employ an integrative computational biology approach that combines biostatistics, genomic data analyses, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

María Elisa Mendiwelso

Masters Student

me.mendiwelso[at]uniandes.edu.co

My research lies at the intersection of natural history, ecology, evolutionary biology, and computational biology, with a particular focus on Neotropical birds. I am especially interested in understanding how ecological traits, life-history strategies, and environmental conditions influence contaminant exposure and accumulation, and how these processes have changed over time. I also use quantitative, genetic, and genomic approaches, including genome assembly and demographic inference, to investigate the evolutionary history, adaptation, and diversification of species.

Juan Daniel Rodríguez

Masters Student

j.rodriguez94[at]uniandes.edu.co

My research focuses on the evolutionary processes that generate and maintain biological diversity. I am particularly interested in how geological history and environmental pressures interact to drive adaptation and the evolution of ecological and behavioral traits in tropical organisms. By integrating genomics, phylogenomics, bioinformatics, and ecology, I aim to identify the mechanisms underlying adaptation, trait evolution, and diversification, and to better understand the evolutionary history of tropical biodiversity.

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Undergraduate Students

Catalina Montoya

Undergraduate Student

c.montoyab[at]uniandes.edu.co

My research focuses on the genomic basis of phenotypic evolution. I am particularly interested in understanding the genetic changes associated with the loss of flight in steamer ducks (Tachyeres) from southern South America using comparative genomics. I also contribute to an interdisciplinary project that brings together scientists, local communities, and other stakeholders to advance the development and implementation of solutions to the challenges posed by invasive hippopotamus populations in Colombia.

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Lab Alumni

Former Postdocs

​Dr. Andrés M. Cuervo Google Scholar | Website 

Dr. Andrés Quiñones Google Scholar | Website 

Dr. Glenn Seeholzer Google Scholar

Former Ph.D. Students

Jorge E. Avendaño. Ph.D. Biology, 2021. Plumage evolution in Neotropical finches: An evolutionary and behavioral approach. Google Scholar 

Mileidy Betancourth-Cundar. Ph.D. Biology, 2022. Unraveling territorial behavior in Neotropical poison frogs: an integrative natural history approach. Google Scholar 

Camila Gómez. Ph.D. Biology, 2018. Ecological and evolutionary processes that shape the long-distance migrations of birds. Coadvised with Dr. Keith A. Hobson. Google Scholar | Website   ​

Oscar A. Laverde. Ph.D. Biology, 2016. Visual and acoustic communication signals in birds: taxonomy, evolution and transfer between signals mediated by sensory drive. Website

Miguel Moreno-Palacios. Ph.D. Biology, 2025. Climatic asynchrony and speciation: the evolution of breeding cycles and its role on population differentiation in Neotropical birds. Google Scholar | Website

Catalina Palacios. Ph.D. Biology, 2020. Evolution, speciation, and genomics of the Andean hummingbirds Coeligena bonapartei and Coeligena helianthea. Google Scholar

Paulo C. Pulgarín, Ph.D. Biology, 2018. Bird-parasite interactions in tropical forests: an ecological and evolutionary perspective. ​​Google Scholar | Website

Juan Camilo Ríos-Orjuela. Ph.D. Biology, 2026. Adaptive relationship between ecological niche specialization and skeletal muscular system morphology in hummingbirds (Trochilidae). Google Scholar | Website

Former Masters Students

Jorge E. Avendaño. M.Sc. Biology, 2010. Molecular phylogenetics, phylogeography, geographic variation, and species limits in the Chlorospingus ophthalmicus complex (Aves, Emberizidae).

Jessica Burbano. M.Sc. Biology, 2026. Niche conservatism mediates the response of montane birds to global warming​.

Ghislaine Cárdenas. M.Sc. Biology, 2013. Female mate choice in a lek mating system: Assessing behavioral correlates of mating success. Coadvised by Dr. Bette Loiselle, University of Florida.

Lina María Caro. M.Sc. Biology, 2010. Ecological speciation in an elevational gradient in a tropical passerine bird: a morphological, genetic, and behavioral approach.

Laura Natalia Céspedes. M. Sc. Biology, 2018. Extensive hybridization between two Andean warbler species with little divergence in mtDNA. Coadvised with Andrés M. Cuervo.

Perla Catalina Chaparro. M.Sc. Biology, 2013. A theoretical approach to understanding mate-searching behavior in females. Coadvised by Dr. Juan M. Cordovez, Universidad de los Andes.

Mateo Dávila, M.Sc. Biology, 2020. How do opposing pressures of sexual and natural selection in continental and insular settings shape the evolution of coloration in a tropical gecko? Coadvised by Dr. Diego Cisneros, Universidad San Francisco de Quito. 

Andrés Felipe Diaz, M. Sc. Biology, 2023. Phylogeography of a sex-limited polymorphism: Disentangling phenotypic variation in the Tourmaline Sunangel, Heliangelus exortis.

Nelson Falcón, M. Sc. Biology, 2024. Beyond classic troglomorphic traits: Assessing convergence in body shape and sensory structures in Colombian trichomycterid catfishes. Coadvised by Dr. Jorge Molina, Universidad de los Andes.

Alexander Florez. M.Sc. Biology, 2012. Four pulses of diversification and differential migration rates across the Andes explain the structuring of genetic diversity in an assemblage of Neotropical lowland birds.

Silvana García. M.Sc. Biology, 2010. Testing the divergence-with-gene-flow model of ecological speciation in two species of Andean hummingbirds.

Valentina Gómez. M.Sc. Biology, 2014. A behavioral polymorphism as an intermediate stage in the evolution of divergent forms: partial migration in New World flycatchers (Aves, Tyrannidae).

Juan Pablo Gómez. M.Sc. Biology, 2009. A phylogenetic approach to disentangling the role of competition and habitat filtering in community assembly in Neotropical forest birds.

Natalia Gutiérrez. M.Sc. Biology, 2013. Testing adaptive hypotheses at a continental level: phylogeography, hemoglobins and morphology of Torrent Ducks in replicate elevational gradients across latitudes. Coadvised by Dr. Kevin McCracken, University of Alaska. 

María Lozano. M.Sc. Biology, 2013. Combining phylogeography and the geography of adaptation to understand population history: Ruddy Ducks in the New World. Coadvised by Dr. Kevin McCracken, University of Alaska.

María Alejandra Meneses. M.Sc. Biology, 2022. Exploring the potential implications of variation in optical density for the coevolution of avian visual systems and color signals. Coadvised by Dr. Natasha Bloch.

Paola Montoya. M.Sc. Biology, 2018. Why did some animals participate in the Great American Biotic Interchange and others did not? The influence of dispersal ability and niche breadth. Coadvised by Dr. Andrew Crawford.

Andrea Morales. M.Sc. Biology, 2010. Origin and dynamics of a hybrid zone between Ramphocelus tanagers (Thraupidae) in Colombia.

Paula Navarro, M. Sc. Biology, 2026. Temperature variability and the evolution of life-history traits in tropical vertebrates.

Ángela P. Navas. M.Sc. Biology, 2010. Testing the influence of isolation and adaptive evolution on genetic and phenotypic differentiation in a Neotropical montane bird.

David Ocampo, M.Sc. Biology, 2015. Evolution of avian eggshell function and structure: evidence for adaptation across elevational gradients? Coadvised by Dr. Gustavo Londoño, Universidad ICESI.

Carlos A. Pedraza. M.Sc. Biology, 2011. The influence of Quaternary climate fluctuations on spatial distribution patterns of lowland avian species in northern South America.

Simón Quintero. M.Sc. Biology, 2014. Disentangling the direct and indirect effects of latitude on geographic range size among New World heliothermic lizards.

Juan Camilo Ríos. M.Sc. Biology, 2026. Why not look like an adult? A global comparative analysis of delayed plumage maturation in passerine birds.

Jorge L. Romero. M. Sc. Biology, 2019. Bacterial evolution under optimal conditions: A new method for the development of long term evolutionary experiments with E. coli. Coadivised by Dr. Juan Manuel Pedraza.

Katherin Sánchez, M.Sc. Biology, 2025. High vocal diversity and absence of spatial structuring in the songs of Rufous-collared Sparrows (Zonotrichia capensis) within a tropical megacity.

Camilo Sanín. M.Sc. Biology, 2010. Contribution of differential diversification rates to current broad-scale patterns of species richness in South American birds. Coadvised by Dr. Iván Jiménez, Missouri Botanical Garden.

Elkin A. Tenorio. M.Sc. Biology, 2013. Effect of dispersal abilities and climatic niche breadth on avian diversification rates.

Eugenio Valderrama. M.Sc. Biology, 2010. Phylogeography and historical landscape genetics of a Neotropical montane forest bird: the influence of the complex topography and dynamic history of the Andes on evolutionary differentiation.
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Former Undergraduates (main advisor)

Jorge Mario Cárdenas. B.Sc. Biology, 2008. Identificación y caracterización de las isoenzimas de la LDH (Lactato Deshidrogenasa) durante el desarrollo tardío en alevinos de Onchorhynchus mykiss en variedades importadas.

Laura Natalia Céspedes. B.Sc. Biology, 2014. Colorful tropical birds are more colorful at higher elevations: A role for predation? Coadvised by Oscar Laverde.

Juan Camilo Chaves. B.Sc. Biology, 2008. Species limits in the Myrmeciza laemosticta complex (Aves: Passeriformes: Thamnophilidae).

Andrés Del Risco. B.Sc. Biology, 2010. ¿Evolución de aves diurnas a partir de ancestros nocturnos? Implicaciones de un reanálisis de la filogenia de los Caprimulgiformes y Apodiformes.

Alexander Florez. B.Sc. Biology, 2009. Reconstructing the phylogeny of “Buarremon” brush-finches and near relatives (Aves, Emberizidae) based on individual gene trees: a multilocus approach.

Javier A. Gómez, B. Sc. Biology, 2017. Ausencia de monofília recíproca y variación geográfica en la estructura poblacional en dos aves andinas con alta diversidad fenotípica (Myioborus ornatus y Myioborus melanocephalus, Parulidae).

Diana Patricia Martinez. B.Sc. Biology, 2008. Distribución histórica de aves de tierras bajas de Colombia modelada con referencia a cambios climáticos: una prueba de la hipótesis de los refugios del Pleistoceno.

Carolina Montealegre. B.Sc. Biology. 2009. Patrones de diversidad en ensamblajes de aves en dos bosques de niebla de la Cordillera Occidental de Colombia.

María Alejandra Meneses. B.Sc. Biology. 2018. Plumage convergence in tyrant flycatchers: A tetrachromatic view

Ángela P. Navas. B.Sc. Biology, 2008. Phylogeography and patterns of genetic and morphological variation in Diglossa albilatera (Aves: Thraupidae): Testing the influence of isolation and adaptive evolution on population differentiation.

Pablo J. Negret. B.Sc. Biology, 2010. Acercamiento ecológico y filogenético a los modos de especiación en el género Tangara (Aves, Thraupidae).

Ignacio Quintero. B.Sc. Biology, 2011. Asynchrony of seasons: population differentiation resulting from geographic variation in avian reproductive phenology?

Juliana Sandoval. B.Sc. Biology, 2016. Is the largest river valley west of the Andes a driver of diversification in Neotropical lowland birds?. Coadvised by Juan Pablo Gómez.

Nubia Suárez. B.Sc. Biology, 2010. Comunidades de aves de alta montaña en el Parque Nacional Natural El Cocuy. 

Eugenio Valderrama. B.Sc. Biology, 2008. Filogeografía de Premnoplex brunnescens (Aves, Furnariidae), una especie neotropical de tierras altas. 

Korik Vargas. B.Sc. Biology, 2007. Evaluación del estado taxonómico del cucarachero de Nicéforo Thryothorus nicefori (Aves: Troglodytidae) mediante métodos morfológicos y genéticos.

Francisco J. Velásquez. B.Sc. Biology, 2008. Patrones de diversificación y diferenciación genética en Myadestes ralloides (Passeriformes, Turdidae) a lo largo del complejo andino. 

Former Undergraduates (coadvisor)

Nohora Viviana Alarcón. B.Sc. Biology, 2012. Evaluación del efecto de factores locales y del paisaje sobre la comunidad de aves en cercas vivas en un paisaje ganadero en la Orinoquía colombiana. Director: Dr. Luis Miguel Renjifo.

Angela María Amaya. B.Sc. Biology, 2009. Efecto del retamo espinoso sobre las aves de borde en un bosque altoandino. Director: Dr. Luis Miguel Renjifo. 

Santiago Ávila. BSc. Biology, 2020. Exploring the genetic basis of melanic coloration in Diglossa flowerpiercers (Thraupidae) Director: Jorge E. Avendaño.

Andrea C. Baquero. B.Sc. Biology, 2008. Divergence of adaptive phenotypic traits and mate recognition systems (song and color) in response to recent anthropogenic habitat changes in an oceanic island (Sao Tomé, Gulf of Guinea) endemic passerine (Speirops lugubris). Director: Dr. Martim Pinheiro de Melo.

Diego Beltrán. B.Sc. Biology, 2016. Color reflectance in two iridescent Andean hummingbirds and its nanostructural basis. Director: Dr. Juan Luis Parra.

Santiago Bateman. B.Sc. Biology, 2009. Aspectos de la interacción planta-colibrí del bosque de niebla de la Laguna de Pedro Palo. Director: Aquiles Gutiérrez.

Paula Cardozo. B.Sc. Biology, 2019. Geographic distribution and land transformation in the wintering grounds of the Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata): Is deforestation associated with population decline? Director: Dr. Camila Gómez.

María Isabel Castaño. B.Sc. Biology, 2018. Home-range size of an Andean Bird: Assessing the role of physical condition. Director: Jorge E. Avendaño.

L. Santiago Castillo. B.Sc. Biology, 2008. Importancia del banco de semillas y de la dispersión post-disturbio en la regeneración de plantas en claros naturales de un bosque amazónico colombiano. Director: Dr. Pablo Stevenson. 

María Alejandra Chadid. B.Sc. Biology, 2010. Comunidades de aves residentes en cinco humedales con diferentes tipos de manejo en la Sabana de Bogotá, Colombia. Director: Juan Pablo Gómez.

Andrés Felipe Díaz. B.Sc. Biology, 2020. Effects of molt on hovering kinematics of hummingbirds. Director: Dr. Alejandro Rico.

María Camila Esteban. B. Sc. Biology, 2017. Is prevalence of blood parasites in birds related to host ecological traits? An assemblage-wide study in northern Colombia. Director: Paulo Pulgarín.

María Camila Esteban. B. Sc. Microbiology, 2019. Are blood parasite infections associated with the immune and energetic condition of a migratory passerine bird?. Director: Paulo Pulgarín.

Alejandro Fajardo. B.Sc. Biology, 2011. An application of evolutionary game theory: cooperation during intraspecific fights. Director: Dr. Juan Manuel Cordovez, codirector Dr. José Ricardo Arteaga.

Juan Sebastían Flórez, B. Sc. Biology, 2018, Universidad Industrial de Santander. ¿Cuántas veces colonizaron las cuevas las especies de bagres cavernícolas (Trichomycterus spp.) de Santander? Advisor: Dr. Mauricio Torres, coadvisor: Dr. Carlos DoNascimiento.

Lucía Gaitán. B.Sc. Biology, 2010. Avifauna y certificación ambiental - un estudio de caso en Santander (Colombia). Director: Dr. Andrés Guhl.

Laura N. Galindo. B.Sc. Biology, 2009. Efecto de la restauración hidrogeomorfológica sobre la riqueza y abundancia de la avifauna en tres sectores del humedal La Conejera, Bogotá. Director:  Efraín Ruiz.

J. Sebastián Gonzalez. B.Sc. Biology, 2015.  Effects of elevation, spatial scale and data sources on the phylogenetic structure of hummingbird communities.  Directors: Dr. Juan Luis Parra, Dr. Catherine Graham. 

Daniel A. Gutiérrez. B.Sc. Biology, 2022. Seasonal variation in the nasty-neighbor effect in a Neotropical songbird​. Director: Dr. Jorge Avendaño.

Natalia Gutiérrez. B.Sc. Biology, 2009. Patrones históricos y geográficos de la diversificación de un complejo de aves (Parulidae: Basileuterus) del bosque montano neotropical. Director: Andrés M. Cuervo. 

Melissa Hernández. B.Sc. Biology, 2020. Rasgos predictores de la personalidad y posibles consecuencias para el comportamiento migratorio del Zorzal Carigrís (Catharus minimus). Director: Dr. Camila Gómez.

Santiago Herrera. B.Sc. Biology, 2020. Ciencia participativa como una alternativa para estudiar migración altitudinal en aves neotropicales. Director: Dr. Camila Gómez.

Astrid P. Ibáñez. B.Sc. Biology, 2017. Unveiling the migratory strategy of the Gray-Cheeked Thrush (Catharus minimus) through analyses of diet during spring stopover. Director: Camila Gómez.

María Lozano. B.Sc. Biology, 2010. Intraspecific variation and the origin and maintenance of the disjunct distribution of the Blossomcrown Anthocephala floriceps (Aves, Trochilidae). Director: Alejandro Rico. 

María Laura Mahecha. B.Sc. Biology, 2020. Diet influences metabolic rates in Neotropical birds. Director: Dr. Camila Gómez, Codirector: Dr. Gustavo Londoño.

Juan Diego Martínez. B.Sc. Biology, 2015. Critical thermal limits of Poecilia caucana (Steindachner, 1880) (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae). Director: Dr. Mauricio Torres.

Bryan E. Mateus. B.Sc. Biology, 2023. Divergence in beak morphology, foraging behavior and diet among migratory and year-round resident Fork-talied Flycatchers (Tyrannus savana). Director: Dr. Valentina Gómez.

Iliana R. Medina. B.Sc. Biology, 2008. Differential evolution of color pattern elements in the aposematic frog Oophaga histrionica. Director: Dr. Adolfo Amézquita.

María Elisa Mendiwelso. B.Sc. Biology, 2023. The hidden world of egg coloration: exploring the drivers of variation in UV reflectance. Director: David Ocampo.

Elena Montes. B.Sc. Biology, 2008. Evaluación de la efectividad de las cercas vivas como mecanismo de conservación de la avifauna del Neotrópico. Director: Dr. Luis Miguel Renjifo.

Juliana Novoa. B.Sc. Biology, 2024. Exploring the link between morphological bill traits and infestation by ectosymbionts in hummingbirds (Trochilidae). Director: Juliana Soto-Patiño.

Andrés Palomino. B.Sc. Biology, 2007. Biogeografía de los peces de los Andes de Colombia. Director: Dr. Santiago Madriñán.

Néstor A. Peralta. B.Sc. Biology, 2010. Influencia de la temperatura ambiental sobre los comportamientos de incubación en una comunidad de aves Passeriformes: retroalimentación al modelo de Conway & Martin (2000). Director: Gustavo A. Londoño.

Viviana Quiroga. B.Sc. Biology, 2011. Algunos aspectos de la calidad del agua de los humedales de la sabana de Bogotá y su relación con la diversidad de aves acuáticas. Director: Loreta Rosselli.

Juliana Rodríguez. B.Sc. Biology, 2020. Vocal behavior and microgeographical variation in song types in a Neotropical songbird. Director: Jorge E. Avendaño.

Maria Paula Rodríguez. B.Sc. Biology, 2022. An integrative analysis of genetic and phenotypic variation of the Chlorospingus flavopectus complex: How many species exist in South America? Director: Jorge E. Avendaño.

Luis Alfonso Rojas. B.Sc. Biology, 2010. Habitat use and its influence on the phylogenetic structure of Neotropical avian assemblages. Director: Juan Pablo Gómez.

Laura Natalia Romero. B.Sc. Biology, 2009. Efectos de la temperatura en la determinación del sexo de los neonatos y validación del método de sliding landmarks para determinar el sexo con base en morfometría en la tortuga Dermochelys coriacea. Director: Dr. Nicole Valenzuela.

Camilo Sanín. B.Sc. Biology, 2009: Paraphyly of Cinclodes fuscus (Aves: Passeriformes: Furnariidae): Implications for taxonomy and biogeography. Director: Dr. Terry Chesser. 

Lina María Valencia. B.Sc. Biology, 2009. Phylogeography of Brown Spider Monkeys (Ateles hybridus): Testing the riverine barrier hypothesis. Director: Dr. Andrés Link. 

Universidad de los Andes | Vigilada Mineducación | Reconocimiento como Universidad: Decreto 1297 del 30 de mayo de 1964 | Reconocimiento personería jurídica: Resolución 28 del 23 de febrero de 1949 Minjusticia.  ​