Research
Science Village Community
The Science Village provides a place for professional botanists to perform their research and to interact with the large community of members, volunteers, general public, and staff that composes Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. This team of scientists includes Fairchild researchers, Florida International University faculty, post-doctoral fellows, graduate students, and laboratory volunteers.
Administrative Staff
Rose Ricks:
Science Village Assistant
Email: rricks@fairchildgarden.org
Phone: 305-667-1651 x 3520
Researchers
Carl E. Lewis, PhD:
Director of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Email: clewis@fairchildgarden.org
Phone: 305-667-1651 x 3333
Systematics, molecular phylogenetics, micropropagation, orchids, palms
Brett Jestrow, PhD:
Herbarium Curator
Email: bjestrow@fairchildgarden.org
Phone: 305-667-1651 x 3427
Systematics, molecular phylogenetics, micromorphology and anatomy, plant exploration, Caribbean plants
Jason Downing, PhD:
Orchid Biologist
Email: jdowning@fairchildgarden.org
Email: jdown003@fiu.edu
Phone: 305-667-1651 x 3354
Plant micropropagation, conservation ecology, molecular systematics, mycorrhiza, genetic diversity
Jennifer Possley, MS:
Field Biologist
Email: jpossley@fairchildgarden.org
Phone: 305-667-1651 x 3514
Natural areas management, ferns, restoration ecology, GIS, invasive species, threatened species
Jimmy Lange, BS:
Field Biologist
Email: jlange@fairchildgarden.org
Phone: 305-667-1651 x 3515
Conservation ecology, impacts of sea level rise on plant communities of south Florida, restoration ecology, field botany, GIS mapping of rare plants and habitats
Kenneth J. Feeley, PhD:
Ecology and biogeography of tropical forests, effect of climatic change in tropical forest structure, empirical modeling techniques
Hong Liu, PhD:
Associate Professor at Florida International University, Department of Earth and the Environment
Email: hliu@fiu.edu
Phone: 305-667-1651 x 3517
Orchid conservation, population biology, plant-animal interactions, reproductive biology, invasive species, China plants, restoration ecology
Javier Francisco-Ortega, PhD:
Professor at Florida International University, Department of Biological Sciences
Email: ortegaj@fiu.edu
Phone: 305-667-1651 x 3512
Systematics, molecular phylogenetics, cycads, palms, botanical history, threatened species, island plants