Eugenio Valderrama, PhD

Eugenio is interested in the processes that led to the high species richness in the Neotropical region, particularly in Colombia and the Northern Andes region. Addressing these processes integrating phylogenetics, comparative methods, phylogeography, systematics and plant taxonomy has been the focus of his research. The ginger family and its relatives are his study group and he is also interested in teaching and public outreach activities.

Eugenio is currently a postdoctoral associate in the Specht Lab studying the evolution of pollination syndromes of the Neotropical Costus L. species in a project encompassing taxonomy, phylogenomics and comparative methods. Also, he is interested in the evolutionary history and taxonomy of Renealmia L.f. genus in the Neotropics and particularly in his native Colombia.