I am an ecologist interested in understanding the strategies and mechanisms used by plants to cope with stressors, primarily drought and heat. Using plant hydraulics, gas exchange, and thermotolerance techniques, I have studied the influence of land use, drought, heat, cold, and alternative water sources (e.g., fog and dew) on plants. My work has spanned various environments (i.e., deserts to tropical rainforests, urban areas) and ecological scales (individual, community, and ecosystem). Additionally, I worked with meta-analysis and mathematical models during my PhD, which provided me with new perspectives and insights on this topic. I am also strongly motivated to engage in outreach work, mentoring, and teaching. I have had many positive experiences in my PhD and in my postdoc, such as in the STEMCAP (STEM Community Alliance Program - workshops for incarcerated youth), SRI (Scientific Research Initiative), and fieldwork assistant supervision (University of California in Berkeley). As the first person in my family to be awarded a university degree, I aim to inspire and support other low-income students, especially girls and underprivileged students. I wish everybody could access higher education.