Latin American Fellowship

Chair

Members

  • Jonathan L. Dunnum
  • Kristina A. Ernest
  • Thomas E. Lacher
  • Mariana F. Nery
  • Margaret A. O'Connell
  • Morty Ortega
  • Jorge A. Salazar-Bravo
  • Sergio A. Solari
  • Pablo Teta

History and Mission

The Latin American Fellowship Committee grants two awards:

  1.  The Latin American Student Field Research award supports field projects by Latin American graduate students (details below). Each of five awardees will receive $1,500. The deadline for applications is 1 March. Details are provided in this pdf file.
  2. The Oliver P. Pearson award supports a young professional who holds an academic position in a Latin American institution within 5 years of receiving a Ph.D. or equivalent degree (details below). A single $5,000 award is granted each year. In addition, up to $2,000 is offered for the recipient to attend the ASM meetings of the year following the award. The deadline for each application is 1 March. Details are provided in this pdf file.

2019 Latin American Student Field Research Awards

The Latin American Student Field Research Award is made annually to support research projects in Latin America by graduate students. Eligible students must be citizens of Latin American countries, and their projects must be field-oriented investigations of natural history, conservation, ecology, systematics, wildlife biology, biogeography, or behavior.

This year, we selected 5 applicants.  Each of these students will receive a $1500 award:

  • Daily Martínez Borrego (Cuba). Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Conservación, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos. Cryptic species delimitation in the Mexican harvest mouse Reithrodontomys mexicanus (Rodentia: Cricetidae) in México. PhD. Student
  • David Villalobos Chaves (Costa Rica). University of Washington, Department of biology. Feeding performance and resource partitioning among Costa Rican Cricetid rodents. PhD. student
  • Melissa Micaelsa Arias (Ecuador). Goetschel University of Oxford, Department of Zoology. Addressing the illegal trade in jaguar body parts: an evidence-based approach to inform conservation actions.PhD. student.
  • Omar Daniel León-Alvarado (Colombia). Universida de Federal de Santa Maria. Phylogenetic relationships of nectar-feeding bats (Phyllostomidae: Lonchophyllinae). MS. Student.
  • Paula Iturralde (Ecuador). Polit Universidad de Costa Rica, Recinto de Golfito. Vocal adaptations of insectivorous bats in response to shifts on temperature and humidity. PhD. Student.

2019 Oliver P. Pearson Award Recipient

The Oliver P. Pearson award supports a young professional in Latin America within 5 years of receiving a Ph.D. or equivalent degree, who currently hold an academic or curatorial position in Latin America.  Oliver Pearson conducted field work in Latin America over many years, and was a strong supporter of mammalogists of all ages and professional stages.  This award honors his commitment to the development of Latin American mammalogists.  The awardee receives $5,000 to help establish or consolidate their research programs, and up to $2,000 for travel to the mammal meetings the year following the award.

Dr. Renan Maestri is originally from Brazil, where he completed a bachelor degree in Biological Sciences with emphasis in evolution at the Regional University of Chapecó, Chapecó SC, Brazil. He then continued his studies at the University of Alto Uruguai, Erechim RS, Brazil Thesis: Species composition, spatial autocorrelation. Obtaining a Ph.D. in Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, UFRGS, Porto Alegre RS, Brazil in 2017. Congratulations to Dr Renan Maestri!

LATIN AMERICAN STUDENT FIELD RESEARCH AWARD

(deadline for the receipt of application materials: 1 March)

The Latin American Student Field Research Award is made annually to support field research projects by Latin Americans in Latin America. Eligible students must be :

  • Citizens of Latin American countries (excluding Puerto Rico)
  • Currently enrolled in a graduate program.

Projects must be field-oriented investigations of natural history, conservation, ecology, systematics, wildlife biology, biogeography, or behavior of mammals. The selection committee, whose membership reflects these diverse fields and has field experience in Latin America, considers each of these areas of research equally important.

Application materials include a 2-page application and one letters of recommendation from persons familiar with your scientific background and current academic program, one of which must be from your graduate advisor. All application materials must be submitted via webform in files attached. Acceptable formats include pdf (preferred) and Word (doc and rtf files). Letters scanned in jpg format also are acceptable. Although we encourage applications and letters in English, documents written in Spanish or Portuguese are acceptable. Detailed instructions are provided in this pdf file

Your application consists of a 2-page document (pdf or Word formats preferred) as outlined below.

Page 1 must include the following information:

  • Project title
  • Personal Information
    • Name:
    • Full address:
    • Home phone:
    • Business phone:
    • Fax:
    • E-mail address:
    • Country of Citizenship:
  • Education
    • a) Undergraduate College/University: Dates Attended: Undergraduate Degree, Major
    • b) Earlier Graduate Program (if applicable): University: Dates Attended: Degree, Major 
    • c) Current Graduate Program: University: Since: Degree, Major:
  • References
    • Name of Graduate Advisor
    • Name of additional Reference
  • Has this proposal also been submitted to the Grants-in-Aid Committee? Yes ___ No ___
  • Briefly describe how you intend to spend the money if you are awarded the fellowship

Page 2 is the description of your project. Follow the guidelines below:

Please provide a one-page description of the background, significance, methods, and expected outcome of the research you propose to support if awarded the fellowship.

This form must be accompanied by two letters of recommendation from persons familiar with your scientific background and current academic program, one of which must be from your graduate advisor. The application and letters of recommendation must be received by the Chair no later than March 1 to be considered. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that letters are received by the deadline. Applications should be submitted by the posted deadline via a webform found here.

To be considered, all application materials must be submitted by 1 March via webform accessible here.

OLIVER P. PEARSON AWARD

(deadline for the receipt of application materials: 1 March)

This award honors Oliver P. Pearson’s remarkable six decades of work in Latin America and his steadfast support for Latin American mammalogists of all ages and degrees of professional development. The award offers financial support to young professional mammalogists who hold academic or curatorial positions in Latin America, to help them establish or consolidate their research programs. A single award in the sum of $5,000 will be given each year. Up to an additional $2,000 is offered for the recipient to attend the mammal meetings of the year following the award. The funds may be used to carry out fieldwork, purchase supplies or specialized equipment, attend scientific meetings, visit collections or other academic institutions, and other research-related activities.

Applicants may be of any nationality. At the time of application, he or she must have the following qualifications:

  • a Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree conferred within the previous 5 years
  • an academic (post-doctoral, teaching, curatorial, or other comparable research-oriented) position in a Latin American institution
  • membership in the American Society of Mammalogists

Acceptable formats for application materials include pdf (preferred) and Word (doc and rtf files). Letters scanned in jpeg format are also acceptable. Applications should include the following elements:

  • A one-page statement that describes
  • the nature and responsibilities of his or her academic position
  • professional interests and goals for the next few years
  • detailed justification documenting how and why the award would benefit the applicant’s research program.
     
  • A curriculum vitae
  • Copy of one published or accepted research paper.
  • Two letters of recommendation from established professionals familiar with the applicant, based either in Latin America or abroad.

To be considered, all application materials must be submitted by 1 March through a webform accessible here. Details are provided in this pdf file.

The recipients will be announced at the Annual Banquet of the American Society of Mammalogists, but awardees need not be present to receive the award.

OLIVER P. PEARSON AWARD

To support a young professional who holds an academic position in a Latin American institution within 5 years of receiving a Ph.D. or equivalent degree

 

2000-2009

  • 2004—Ulyses Pardiñas, Centro Nacional Patagónico, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
  • 2005—Yuri Leite, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
  • 2006—Luis Fernando Aquirre, Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia
  • 2007—Eduardo Secchi, Departamento de Oceanografia, Fundação Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Rio Grande, Brazil
  • 2008—Juan Opazo, Instituto de Ecología y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile

2010+

  • 2010—Ana Paula Cutrera, National University of Mar del Plata, Argentina
  • 2011—Sergio Solari, Universidad de Antioquia, Colombia
  • 2012—María Encarnación (“Pati”) Pérez, CONICET
  • 2013—Mariana Muñoz-Romo, Universidad de Los Andes in Mérida, Venezuela
  • 2014—Hugo Mantilla-Meluk,  Quindío University
  • 2015—Mariana Freitas Nery, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Brazil
  • 2016—Pablo Vicente Teta, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Argentina
  • 2017—Eliécer Gutiérrez, Departmento de Zoologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasilia
  • 2018—José F. González-Maya, ProCat Columbia
  • 2019—Renan Maestri, Department of Ecology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

LATIN AMERICAN STUDENT FIELD RESEARCH AWARD

To support field research projects by Latin Americans in Latin America. Eligible students must be citizens of Latin American countries (excluding Puerto Rico) and currently enrolled in a graduate program

 

1990-1999

  • 1997—Maria Laura Lázaro (University of Uraguay )
  • 1998—Carlos Eduardo Ritti Filho (Instituto Nacional da Pesquisas da Amazônia)
  • 1999—Anja Brunet (University of Minnesota )

2000-2009

  • 2000—Cynthia Steiner (University Montpellier, France)
  • 2001—Gerardo Suzán (University New Mexico)
  • 2002—Adriana Ruiz E. (Universidad de Los Andes, Merida, Venezuela); 
  • 2002—Pablo Jarrin ( Boston University)
  • 2003—Matías Mora (Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, UNMdP, from Argentina); 
  • 2003—Gloriana Chaverri (Boston University )
  • 2004—Bernal Rodríguez (Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, from Costa Rica); 
  • 2004—María Viteri (from Ecuador, University of Idaho)
  • 2005—Adriana Bravo (from Peru, Louisiana State University);
  • 2005—Lucía Luna (from Peru, University of Michigan);
  • 2005—Heliot Zarza (from Mexico, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México)
  • 2006—Lida Elena Pimper (University of Buenos Aires);
  • 2006—Horacio Bárcenas (National University of Mexico);
  • 2006—Ivanna Tomasco (Universidad de la Republica de Uruguay);
  • 2006—Laura May-Collado (Florida International University);
  • 2006—Miguel Pinto (Texas Tech University)
  • 2007—Jesús Fernández (Louisiana State University);
  • 2007—Noé de la Sancha (Texas Tech University);
  • 2007—Ignacio Benitez Moreno (Pontificia Universidade Católica de Rio Grande do Sul);
  • 2007—Maria Abarca Medina (Instituto Venezolano de Investigacion Científica);
  • 2007—María Clara Arteaga (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México)
  • 2008—José Santos (from Brazil, University of California, Berkeley);
  • 2008—Lidia Franco (from Colombia, Universidad Austral de Chile),
  • 2008—Maron Galliez (Universidad Federal de Rio de Janeiro, Brazil);
  • 2008—Romina Pavé (Universidad del Litoral, Argentina); 
  • 2008—Silvina Bisceglia (Argentina, Universidad de Buenos Aires)
  • 2009—Laura Torres Morales (Instituto de Ecología, Vera Cruz, México);
  • 2009—María Paula Tujague (National University of La Plata, Argentina);
  • 2009—Gabriela Verónica García (Universidad de Buenos Aires);
  • 2009—Vanina Alejandra Fernández (Universidad de Buenos Aires)

2010+

  • 2010—Nicté Ordóñez-Garza (Texas Tech University);
  • 2010—Cristina Jasso del Toro (National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM);
  • 2010—Rosa Raquel Jessen (The University of Arizona, Tuscon);
  • 2010—Mariano Soley (City University of New York)
  • 2011—Francisca Astorga (Universidad Andrés Bello, Chile);
  • 2011—Loreto Correa (Universidad Austral de Chile);
  • 2011—Juan Diaz-Nieto (University of Minnesota);
  • 2011—Francisco Fonturbel (Universidad de Chile);
  • 2011—Bianca Montero (North Dakota State University)
  • 2013—Emma Gomez-Ruiz (Mexico);
  • 2013—Romina Pfoh (Argentina);
  • 2013—Mariel Ruiz-Blanco (Argentina)
  • 2014—Carola Cañón Valenzuela (from Chile; University of la Plata, Argentina) 
  • 2014—Melquisedec (Melqui) Gamba-Rios (from Colombia; University of Tennessee)
  • 2014—Constanza Pasian (from Argentina; National University of Córdoba, Argentina)
  • 2014—Willy Pineda Lizano (from Costa Rica; Technological Institute of Costa Rica)
  • 2014—Julio Torres (from Paraguay; National University of la Plata, Argentina)
  • 2015—Esteban Brenes-Mora (from Costa Rica; Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, Costa Rica)
  • 2015—Cintya A. Segura-Trujillo (from México; Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, México)
  • 2015—María Sol Gennuso (from Argentina; National University of Northeastern, Argentina)
  • 2015—Silvina Beatriz Bongiovanni (from Argentina; Universidad de San Juan, Argentina)
  • 2015—José Fernando Moreira Ramírez (from Guatemala; El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, México)
  • 2016—Mario Fernando Garces Restrepo (from Colombia; University of Wisconsin)
  • 2016—Antonella Panebianco (from Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires)
  • 2016—Edson Fiedler de Abreu Junior (from Brazil; Universidade de São Paulo)
  • 2016—Daniela Arenas-Viveros (from Colombia; Texas Tech University)
  • 2016—Carlos Carrion (from Ecuador; University of New Mexico)
  • 2017—Laura Abondano (from Columbia; Unviersity of Texas at Austin)
  • 2017—Germán Botto Nuñez (from Uruguay, Montana State University)
  • 2017—Antonela Marozzi (from Argentina; CONICET)
  • 2017—Ricardo Sampaio (from Brazil; Unviersity of Sao Paulo)
  • 2017—Amdand Vicente-Santos (from Costa Rica; Emory Unviersity)
  • 2018—Tania Marisol Gonzalez (from Colombia; UNAL)
  • 2018—Zaira Yaneth Gonzalez Saucedo (from México; UNAM)
  • 2018—Juan Manuel Martinez Ceron (from Colombia; Universidad EAFIT)
  • 2018—Ingrid de Mattos (from Brazil; Universidade de Brasília)
  • 2018—Andrea del Pilar Tarquino-Carbonell (Argentina; GiB- IADIZA- CCT). 
  • 2019—Daily Martínez Borrego (from Cuba, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos)
  • 2019—David Villalobos Chaves (from Costa Rica, University of Washington)
  • 2019—Melissa Micaelsa Arias (from Ecuador, Goetschel University of Oxford)
  • 2019—Omar Daniel León-Alvarado (from Colombia, Universida de Federal de Santa Maria)
  • 2019—Paula Iturralde (from Ecuador, Polit Universidad de Costa Rica)