I spent a week with a diverse group of scientists at Las Cruces Biological Station. It was a rewarding feeling experience, to be back again at the same place where I worked as part of an OTS REU 2018 summer experience. During our time together, on the first day my fellow students and I had the privilege be able to see amazing and unique species.
As the week continued, we met two passionate scientists, Erin Kuprewicz and Carlos Garcia Robledo both of University of Connecticut (UConn). We got divided in two groups to do groups projects and independent projects, where I had the opportunity to work with Erin on how the Central American agouti (Dasyprocta punctata) enhances seed survival and germination by measuring soil conditions and distance that they disperse the seeds as part of their behavior to protect the seeds from predators.
It was a unique experience to not only to learn how to plan and implement research projects in such a week, but also experience a unique place with an amazing people like Costa Rica. To other student scientists out there: I encourage you all to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity in the future. I cannot overstate how great it is to be part of such a wonderful community as OTS!!
-Jaime A. Botet Rodríguez, University of Puerto Rico
OTS Field Ecology 2020-1 