Jimena Golcher-Benavides

Dr. Jimena Golcher-Benavides is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. Her research focuses on biodiversity conservation, particularly in freshwater fishes, combining approaches from fisheries science, ecology, and evolutionary biology. She teaches courses including Aquatic Ecosystems and mentors undergraduate students in fieldwork and laboratory research.

Education: Ph.D. in Ecology (University of Wyoming, 2021), M.Sc. in Biological Sciences (University of Konstanz, Germany, 2015), B.S. in Biological Sciences (UNA, Costa Rica, 2011).

Research Interests: Origins of freshwater biodiversity, evolutionary drivers in fish communities, conservation genomics, and molecular ecology. Current projects investigate rapid diversification in African cichlids and invasive carp population dynamics in the Mississippi River Basin.

Recent Work: Her lab uses environmental DNA (eDNA), behavioral observations, and comparative anatomy to study species diversity. Collaborations include work in Lake Tanganyika (Tanzania) and Costa Rica, emphasizing field-based research and undergraduate involvement.

Professional Experience: Previously served as a fisheries researcher at Iowa State University and conducted postdoctoral research on invasive carp in the Mississippi River Basin. Taught at Lees-McRae College in North Carolina and collaborated on projects with The Nature Conservancy and Tanzanian Fisheries Institute.

Teaching Philosophy: Advocates for experience-based learning in science education, integrating fieldwork and lab techniques into undergraduate training. Develops curricula using R programming for data analysis and visualization in ecology.