Conversation with University of Puerto Rico-Utuado Researcher: Dr. Mariangie Ramos

Tell us a little about your path into your current field. Who and/or what inspired you to pursue science more generally? 

My path to pursue science was paved by both me and my sisters’ upbringings and my mentors. I grew up in Utuado, Puerto Rico, a rural town in the central mountain region of Puerto Rico. This area is characterized by beautiful green mountains, waterfalls and coffee farms. These natural surroundings inspired my childhood games and later, my teen convictions to protect nature and help disadvantaged communities. My grandfather taught me about tropical crops and how to care for animals. My grandmother and my mom showed me, through their example, to be part of our community and take care of those in need. 

When choosing a college major, my sisters inspired me to conduct my undergraduate degree in biology. They were both majoring in biology, and family reunions had become full of science discussions. Fun!! Following their advice, I started participating in research projects since my freshman year at the University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras (UPR). During my first two years, I conducted research under the guidance of Dr. Rafael Joglar and his graduate students. I learned a lot about coqui frogs, a small tree frog that is very dear to all Puerto Ricans. An ethnobotany course offered by the Organization of Tropical Studies in Costa Rica, awoke my interest in tropical agriculture. On my return to the UPR, I started working in natural product chemistry under the guidance of Dr. Abimael Rodriguez. Inspired by the recent master of science work of my sister Olgaly, I was interested in identifying natural repellents for the banana weevil. Also, I was inspired by a growing number of young people starting organic farms in Puerto Rico and a new farmers market that had started in the San Juan Metro Area. 

For my doctoral studies, I studied entomology and agroforestry at the joint Ph.D. program of the University of Idaho and CATIE, Costa Rica. I was lucky to have Dr. Nilsa Bosque-Perez as a mentor. She trained me to be a better scientist and educator and was always available when I needed her. My years in Costa Rica taught me about agroforestry research and the interdisciplinary dimensions of sustainable development. I learned about participatory-action research and the importance of collaborating with stakeholders. I also met my husband, colleague and best-friend, Felipe. Since I started working at UPR-Utuado (UPRU), I have collaborated with farmers and organizations to advance sustainable agriculture on our island. My daily motivation to continue this path are students, farmers and my twins, Kai and Mayara.  

How has the NIFA funding shaped your professional development as a scientist? 

NIFA funding has been very important in my professional development. During my first year at UPRU, I attended a NIFA grantsmanship workshop in Kansas City. This workshop motivated me to write proposals and search for external funding to support my research and education objectives. My first project funding came from the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program. With this funding, we conducted valuable research for farmers that were interested in implementing organic agriculture practices in their coffee farms. This knowledge has also helped us manage our certified organic coffee plot at UPRU. Also, I have conducted research in organic vegetable pest management with the support of NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative programs.  

In addition, NIFA funding has helped us improve the quality of agricultural education at UPRU. With funding from NIFA’s Insular Areas Programs, we have developed new educational experiences for students. We improved existing courses with new equipment and distance education technologies. We created new courses and experiential learning opportunities. Also, we have been trained in new areas and technologies, such as molecular identification of insect pests. Executing these projects has also helped our small rural campus to improve its capacity to manage external funding and have more faculty applying for grants. 

Catch us up on a recent NIFA-funded project you are working on or just completed?  

I am excited to be working on three NIFA-funded projects with Dr. Andre Sanfiorenzo. We are training new tree specialists in Puerto Rico. Formal training in arboriculture was lacking on our island. Through the project, we developed new coursework in arboriculture (six courses) for UPRU students and a certificate program to retrain agricultural workers. Training modules include both face-to face and online activities. We are teaching arboriculture skills both for urban settings and for agroforestry systems, such as shaded coffee plantations. Our first cohort of associate’s degree students started in June 2024. 

I am also collaborating with chemist Dr. Vilmari Lopez on an interdisciplinary project about chemistry and horticulture education using medicinal plants. As part of this project, we have established a medicinal plant garden at UPRU and received training in medicinal plants. We are developing new courses about horticulture and human health and medicinal plant chemistry. In addition, medicinal plant workshops are being held at UPRU. The workshops are open to the community and cover medicinal plants of cultural importance to our island. We expect that, through this project, students will be more motivated to learn about the chemistry of medicinal plants. 

What advice to you have for current students who may be interested in pursuing a similar career path? 

I would advise them to first enjoy and observe nature. Go hiking. Plant an edible garden. Look what is hidden under the rocks. I would invite them to collaborate with farmer organizations. Learn from experience about farmers and their farms. Hear about their dreams and struggles. At their undergraduate institution, start participating in research and service projects. It is important to get good grades, but a lot is also learned in research labs and Extension projects. Also, I would recommend that they read scientific literature. Talk about the findings with your peers. Develop new hypotheses. I would motivate them to participate in a summer research internship at another institution, especially if you come from a small campus like UPRU. I would prompt them to conduct graduate studies in entomology or any discipline that they are passionate about. Finally, I would tell them to let their scientific curiosity free and be openly passionate about it. In their path, they will likely find others that share their love of science. Collectively, they will contribute to advance our knowledge on how to make our world a better place for all.