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Research Grants

This page is used to provide your assessment scores for each application. Please use the rubric below the application details to enter your name, your scores, and any notes on the application.

Adaptative Generalization to Pollination by Bats and Hummingbirds in Ring-gentians (Symbolanthus) in Colombia

Project summary:

I propose to visit herbaria in Colombia to study herbarium specimens of Symbolanthus species, collect DNA samples, and take measurements of the flowers. I will also do field collections of species in the Andes and characterize their flowers, observe pollination, and test pollen deposition. These data will be used to determine which floral characteristics such as nectar production, anthesis time, and corolla shape evolved together to form pollination syndromes adapted to hummingbird and bat pollination.

First Name:

Maria Belen Alvestegui Montalvo

bb7n4@umsystem.edu

Highest degree:

Master in Science

Year obtained:

2021

Applicant Status:

Current student

United States of America

Flowering plants

Relevant publications (minimum 1, maximum 4):

Alvestegui, B.*, Molina, J.*, Allogio, J., Burkhalter, J., and Struwe, L. (In preparation) Revision of ring-gentians (Symbolanthus, Gentianaceae) of northern Andes and Central America with a synopsis of the genus. PhytoKeys
* shared first authorship

Henderson, D., Sedio, B. E., Tello, J. S., Cayola, L., Fuentes, A. F., Alvestegui, B., Muchhala, N., and Myers, J. A. Ecological metabolomics of tropical tree communities across an elevational gradient: Implications for chemically mediated biotic interactions and species diversity. Ecology. Available in: BioRxiv, 2023.10.04.560880; https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.10.04.560880

Alvestegui, B., Tello, J.S., Fuentes, A.F., Cayola, L., Loza, M.I., and Muchhala, N. (In preparation) Species with zygomorphic flowers persist at lower abundances in megadiverse communities.

Alvestegui, B., Espejo, M. & Cortes-Romay, R. (Submitted) First record of Black-and-chestnut eagle Spizaetus isidori on dirt road in the Yungas region of Bolivia. Short Communication. Neotropical Ornithology

Scoring Rubric

Your name:

c1. Scientific Merit

 

  • Scientific impact of the study in the proposed taxonomic group or the flora and funga of a geographic region – up to 10 points

  • Contribution to the generation of novel systematic/taxonomic/floristic data – up to 5 points

  • Quality and significance of questions being addressed – up to 10 points

  • Adequacy of methods for testing the research question (data collection/analysis/use of different tools) – up to 10 points

This proposal scores:

/35

C2. Community Building

 

  • Applicant’s potential for completing goals of the proposal within the time frame, and of professional success (based on CV, considering career stage) – up to 10 points

  • Explicit inclusion of (a) the use and generation of collections, and (b) conferring with taxonomic/nomenclatural experts – up to 10 points

  • Perceived need where more points are given for applicants from low- or middle-income countries – up to 5 points

This proposal scores:

/25

C3. Broader Impacts

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  • The proposal will yield durable benefits and be disseminated through publications (e.g., taxonomic revisions, checklists, new data provided for existing databases, websites) – up to 20 points

  • The proposal involves taxonomic training, fieldwork, and herbarium visits  – up to 10 points

  • The proposal involves outreach, mentoring, and mobility exchange  – up to 10 points

This proposal scores:

/40

Applicant Details

email:

Country:

Target organism/s:

Previous publications

Budget (USD):

2000

University of Missouri-St. Louis

Affiliation:

Grant Assessment

Last Name:

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Has the applicant applied for an IAPT Research Grant previously?

Year of previous application:

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