José Vicente Montoya Ceballos, Ph.D.

As an aquatic ecologist working in community and ecosystem ecology, my research interests revolve around the study of the biodiversity, functionality, and provision of ecosystem services of tropical and subtropical aquatic ecosystems in large rivers, streams, lakes and wetlands. The ecology and trophic role of algae, zooplankton, meiofauna, benthos, and fishes of floodplain rivers and lakes of the Amazon and Orinoco, and the impacts of agriculture and climate change on the functionality of Andean streams are some of my current research topics.

A crucial aspect of my job as a professor is to instruct and mentor upcoming professionals. I am passionate about implementing innovative education methods and teaching theoretical and applied courses in aquatic sciences, ecology, and their combined importance to society. As an educator, my objective is to guide my students towards achieving personal and professional growth by fostering independence in research, enhancing collaborative work skills, and strengthening critical thinking, while actively promoting excellence and a world vision in all their chosen quests.