ABOUT ME

I'm a professor of ecology, international studies and sustainability at Saint Louis University. I have traveled extensively through North, Central and South America. I have spent nights and days in extremely uncomfortable places (the Toronto airport while going through renovations is particularly nasty).

Interests

As a professional ecologist I spend a lot of time in related work, mainly reading a lot of ecology, reviewing other peoples' work, grants, manuscripts, etc. But what I really enjoy is being a mentor and advisor to students that wish to continue into ecology, conservation, and related fields. It keeps me alive and on my toes.
I spend my free time enjoying activities that keep me engaged. Good music, good food, good wine. I enjoy people that are deep and like to share their experiences.

• dining
• wine
• gardening
• reading
• music
• jazz
• blues
• ecology
• teaching

Music, Movies, and Books

Latin dance music (El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Celia Cruz, Ruben Baldes, Willie Colón). Music with a conscience (Silvio Rodriguez, Haciendo Punto en Otro Son, Soledad Bravo).

Right now: Calle 13!!! They have merge the best of two very different music worlds. The beat and rithems of raggeton and the intelligence and heart of nueva trova.

Also classical rock: Pink Floyd, Rush, AC/DC

Books: Just about everything in the Latin American school known as realismo magico (magical realism), epitomized by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
Also science fiction a la Isaac Asimov, Ursula K La Guin,
I also like science popularizing non-fiction with Stephen J Gould as my all time favorite.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I have come close to death twice in my life. Once due to a near-miss with a fer-de-lance snake in NIcaragua; once from a bacterial infection in a hospital. The first make you feel alive; the second makes you want to live.

I've lived with Mayangna and Miskito people in Nicaragua's Bosawas bioreserve. I've hiked Machu Pichu. Swam with sharks in Bora Bora. Been molested by a southern ray in Belize (yes, you read right).

I guess, I have been lucky.

Teach, Learn, Share

Some of the best places in St. Louis are places to learn and share. I'm an ecologist and statistician. St. Louis is a great place for teaching, learning and sharing. It hosts the best botanical garden in the US, the Missouri Botanical Garden, and Americas #1 zoo according to Zagat (and is FREE!).

Lots of great little local places to eat. Lots of microbreweries. Great town to listen, and learn, blues and jazz.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belize, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, French Polynesia, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, United States