Bio

Hey! This is Lina, I was born in the city of Granada- Nicaragua. I obtained my undergraduate degree at  the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua (UNAN-Managua), and It was during my undergraduate studies that my fascination with plants bloomed, which has since become the primary focus of my research. My undergraduate dissertation marked a significant point in my academic journey. Collaborating with international researchers and the University of Oxford, I embarked on the pioneering quest to create Nicaragua's first palynological reference. This project resulted in the development of the first Pollen Atlas for plants belonging to the Dry Tropical Forest from the Central and Pacific regions of Nicaragua. Furthermore, I engaged with local communities, delving into their deep-seated connection with nature and their invaluable knowledge of local plant uses. I also worked as a Botany Specialist in various Environmental Impact Assessments for diverse projects spanning Nicaragua's Pacific and Atlantic regions. 

I joined Florida Tech in 2022 to begin my PhD. In Biological Sciences. Having dedicated most of my time to studying the flora of the Dry Tropical Forest, now I eagerly embrace the exciting opportunity to explore the lush Rainforests of the Amazon. This new opportunity presents an exhilarating challenge as I immerse myself in getting to know the astonishing and diverse flora of this region. My research at Florida Tech is focused on determining how land use patterns, such as the timing, duration, and frequency of human occupation, have resulted in ecological changes in Western Amazonia during the last 2000 years. I hope to unravel the region's land use history by contrasting paleoecological proxies with historical narratives of human occupation, such as those from the well-known Francisco de Orellana expedition and other early European explorers, as well as other important periods of Amazon occupation history, such as the Jesuit years and the Rubber boom.

My aspiration is for my work to enrich our comprehension of Amazon rainforest habitation and land use patterns while contributing to the historical narrative of my study area. I hold a particular interest for indigenous communities, whose livelihoods hinge upon the preservation of historical narratives centred around Amazonian indigenous populations and their enduring bond with the ecosystem across time. Moreover, I am eager to explore the interplay between human- environment, and how this intricate relationship may have shaped the current distribution of valuable plant species in Amazonia. 

email: lcabrera2022@my.fit.edu