Personal Information: Born 28 November 1959, Caracas, Venezuela. Languages: Spanish, Italian.

Research Interests : Avian systematics, phylogeography, geographic variation, and contact zones. Research focuses on molecular, morphologic, and/or vocal variation in birds, with a geographic emphasis on western North America. Projects (many collaborative) include studies on Steller's Jays (Cyanocitta stelleri), Gray Jays (Perisoreus canadensis), Western Scrub-Jays (Aphelocoma californica), vireos (Vireonidae), Horned Larks (Eremophila alpestris), Spotted Towhees (Pipilo maculatus), and Sage Sparrows (Amphispiza belli).

Honors: Elective Member, American Ornithologists' Union, 1999. Fellow, American Ornithologists' Union, 2005. Presidential Citation, American Ornithologists' Union, 2006.