March is Women’s History Month. With the many strides women have made, we chatted with a few of our women in science at the Garden about their careers, inspirations, and advice.
Get to know the women of the Latin America Science & Conservation team department!
The Garden’s Latin American research is both deep and extensive, spanning over 100 years. It began as early expeditions in the 1900s, where the primary goal was to seek unique orchids that could be brought to St. Louis to enrich the Garden’s living collections. These initiatives grew, especially from the 1970s to the 2000s, and the Garden became a hub for botanical research in Latin America with dozens of staff and projects active across the continent. Now, our mission is evolving once again as we aim to use our expertise and efforts to understand, protect, and restore plants and vital ecosystems.
What do you do at the Garden?
My research focuses on understanding plant diversity and discovering new species in Latin American tropical forests, with emphasis on the study of the genus Anthurium (commonly known as “flamingo flower”). I’m also deeply committed to training the next generation of plant scientists by providing students with research internships and mentoring.
What’s been a highlight of your career?
Getting to explore new countries while studying their vast plant diversity.
Who’s been an inspiration to you?
Without a doubt, Marie Skłodowska-Curie, a pioneer woman scientist, Nobel Prize winner and widely acclaimed for her own scientific achievements. Madame Curie is an example of how women can overcome and triumph over any barriers placed on them either during their personal lives and scientific careers.
Parting message to girls and women?
Do whatever makes you happy.
What do you do at the Garden?
Director of the Flora Mesoamericana project. Botanist collecting and teaching about plants with colleagues in Ecuador.
What’s been a highlight of your career?
Organizer and leading author in a publication in the journal Science that provides information on all known plants in the Americas.
Who’s been an inspiration to you?
Botanically my female inspiration is the late Dr. Vicki Funk. Vicki gave me invaluable support and botanical inspiration since I participated in a workshop she organized back in 1989.
Parting message to girls and women?
Don’t let anyone tell you that “this” is not a girl/woman job. Fight for you rights and equality!
What do you do at the Garden?
I have worked in the Science & Conservation/Research Division of the Garden for over 42 years and my roles have varied greatly during that time. Currently, I spend most of my time working for the Flora Mesoamericana, studying Central American members of various families of plants without a living specialist (the “orphans”) and writing descriptions and identification keys to be published in the Flora. For that Flora I have worked on the mint, buckthorn and Barbados cherry families and am currently working on the mahogany family.
What’s been a highlight of your career?
I was a co-editor of the Flora de Nicaragua and worked on that project for 19 years in various roles. Publication of that Flora in 2001 was a definite highlight for me!
Who’s been an inspiration to you?
My sister. She is two years older than me and we share some learning disabilities. Watching her navigate them was inspirational. She has always been supportive of me and has given me the confidence to try things that are challenging.
Parting message to girls and women?
Be curious and there is usually more than one way to get to where you want to go. Do it your way and enjoy the ride.
What do you do at the Garden?
I am plant systematist, my study group is the moonseed plant family, which are climbing plants with diverse uses across its geographical distribution.
What’s been a highlight of your career?
Working at the Garden is such a privilege that there has been many highlights in my career along the years.
Who’s been an inspiration to you?
I have a few who have shown focus and dedication to the field.
Parting message to girls and women?
Stay focused on your goals and don’t give up when difficulties arise.
What do you do at the Garden?
Project manager of the Garden’s program in Peru, also writing results of scientific projects and discovering new species for science.
What’s been a highlight of your career?
Work as part of the Garden’s team in Peru, which is an institution of international prestige.
Who’s been an inspiration to you?
Marie Curie, because she developed in a time that was difficult for women to do science and had no limits.
Parting message to girls and women?
That they continue to advance in science, that they believe in themselves and that there are no limits.
What do you do at the Garden?
Soy administradora e investigadora del Programa MBG en Bolivia, me especializo en la realización de inventarios florísticos usando parcelas permanentes y temporales, así como en taxonomía neotropical.
I am an administrator and researcher of the Garden’s Program in Bolivia, I specialize in conducting floristic inventories using permanent and temporary plots, as well as in Neotropical taxonomy.
What’s been a highlight of your career?
Trabajar 20 años continuos en una de las áreas mas diversas del mundo que esta ubicada en Bolivia, esta es el Parque Nacional Madidi y sus alrededores.
Working 20 continuous years in one of the most diverse areas in the world that is located in Bolivia, this is the Madidi National Park and its surroundings.
Who’s been an inspiration to you?
La escritora Jane Austen, porque pudo ver claramente la realidad de las mujeres en su época y retratarla de forma profunda en sus obras.
The writer Jane Austen, because she could clearly see the reality of women in her time and portray it in a profound way in her works.
Parting message to girls and women?
Las mujeres siempre hemos luchado por expresarnos de diferentes formas, así que sigue esforzándote sin desfallecer para expresar lo mejor de ti.
Women have always struggled to express ourselves in different ways, so keep striving without giving up to express the best of yourself.
Thanks, ladies! Stay tuned throughout the rest of Women’s History Month for more highlights from our women in science.
A. Robinson | Digital and Community Engagement Specialist
Thanks to contributing experts.
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