Jonas Mendez-Reneau
Botany (B.Sc.)
Environmental, Evolutionary, and Population Biology (Ph.D.)
I’m a bioinformatics and evolutionary biology consultant specializing in systematics, genomics, and environmental applications. By combining evolutionary theory, botanical taxonomy, fieldwork, and customized bioinformatics pipelines, I help research labs, herbaria, botanical gardens, conservation groups, and environmental agencies gain insights into plant diversity, population dynamics, and invasive species management.
My Ph.D. dissertation focused on the evolution of the fern genus Polypodium s.s., where I elucidated allopolyploid hybridization and species diversification through phylogenomics, population genomics, biogeography, and ecology-based methods. I’ve also collaborated on high-impact projects such as:
-
GLUE (Global Urban Evolution Project): Conducted population genomics analyses on a whole-genome dataset of over 1,000 Trifolium repens (White Clover) individuals across 50 populations worldwide.
-
CPING (Consortium for Plant Invasion Genomics): Used my custom bioinformatics pipeline (SORTER) to identify lineage diversity of the invasive Salvinia molesta, testing progenitor hypotheses under an allopolyploid hybrid framework.
Alongside my analytical work, I have extensive field experience in Costa Rica, Hawai‘i, California, Oregon, and Louisiana, where I planned expeditions, secured permits, and gathered detailed ecological observations. This hands-on approach ensures that my genomic analyses are complemented by strong field-based context and data integrity.
I’m passionate about translating cutting-edge research into practical solutions to guide systematics projects, optimizing phylogenomic or population genomic studies, and advising on invasive species control. With this background I provide educational content at the intersection of botany, evolutionary biology, bioinformatics, and environmental management. If you’re seeking an interdisciplinary partner to tackle complex botanical or genomic challenges, I’d love to connect. You can email me at contact@endemicbio.info or connect via my social media.
Collaborative Team
Interested in working with us?
Join The Team!
Do your skills and expertise align with our goals?
We seek cross-disciplinary collaborators to include across various project contracts.
Email us to see if you would be a good fit for our team!
Please include your background, expertise, CV, and or Resume
Research Philosophy
Our research philosophy is rooted in integrating biological insights with computational techniques. We believe that the most meaningful advancements in bioinformatics arise from a close interplay between interdisciplinary biological hypotheses and computational methods.
Hypothesis-Driven Approaches
Our bioinformatics methods are guided by biological hypotheses and empirical observations. We leverage diverse biological datasets, when available, to draw holistic conclusions for our research questions. We prioritize understanding foundational biological theories (e.g., evolutionary, ecological) and tailoring our bioinformatic strategies to address these questions effectively. This approach allows for the accurate interpretation of data beyond the limitations of computationally expensive models, by validating our results with disparate biological datasets (e.g., morphology, ecology, biochemistry, geography, population variation).
We believe that data analyses are only as useful as the raw data being used. Therefore, we emphasize the need to develop highly curated datasets that are as accurate as possible before conducting analyses and modeling.
Innovation Through Collaborative and Ethical Research
We are dedicated to the principles of open science and believe that innovation is driven by interdisciplinary collaboration. Our research is made freely available to the research community, encouraging peer review to enhance the quality and impact of our work. This collaborative spirit not only enhances individual research projects but also contributes to the broader scientific community by facilitating the exchange of ideas and expertise. Above all, we uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct in our research. We ensure that our data handling practices reflect responsible dissemination and that our analyses are performed with scientific integrity and transparency.
Educational Philosophy
Our educational philosophy is dedicated to empowering the next generation of biologists by equipping them with the bioinformatics tools and knowledge necessary for cutting-edge research. We believe that a strong foundation in bioinformatics is essential for modern biological research, and our approach is tailored to meet the specific needs of biology students and researchers.
Empowering Biology Students and Scientists
Our tools and resources are specifically designed for biologists in order to enhance their ability to analyze complex biological data and advance their research capabilities. Being an effective biologist requires a broad and intensive understanding of several sub-fields (Evolution, Ecology, Genetics, Biogeography, Physiology, Development, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, etc..) with unique needs and challenges, and our bioinformatics tools and resources are developed with this in mind.
Advocacy for Early-Career Scientists and Biologists in Academia
-
Fair and Affordable Research Development: We strive to provide free systems and affordable services for meeting the research goals of early-career biologists, ensuring that everyone can access free educational and bioinformatic resources for their research.
-
Improving Compensation: Early career STEM academia jobs fail to match compensation rates with private sector jobs, even though academia demands a significant range of skills and duties (e.g. theoretical knowledge, research, technical skills, teaching, mentoring, publishing, travel, grant writing, and lab management, among others) usually requiring unpaid over-time work. We advocate for improved monetary compensation for biology graduates pursuing careers in academia, recognizing the critical contributions they make to scientific advancement.
-
Career Guidance: We offer career guidance for biologists, both within and outside of academia, helping them navigate their career paths and achieve their professional goals.
Accessible and Equitable Education
We believe in educational initiatives that are grounded in equity, practical application, and accessibility. We provide resources that are both easy to use and provide a path to gaining bioinformatics skills, ensuring that students can effectively integrate bioinformatics into their research without being overwhelmed by over-complex computational concepts. An inclusive and supportive educational environment is essential for empowering biology students to become proficient in bioinformatics to meet their research goals. Our philosophy reflects our commitment to nurturing the talents of early-career scientists, fostering collaboration, and advocating for fair and equitable treatment in the academic community.
Long-Term Vision
Making bioinformatics and biological knowledge accessible is integral to a diverse array of biological, ecological, and conservation research goals. Involvement of communities and entities interacting with local ecosystems and native species is critical to establishing sustainable systems that leverage the value of our research. We aim to raise awareness about the critical role that biodiversity and ecosystem conservation plays for our long-term sustainability on planet earth.
Democratizing Bioinformatics and Biological Knowledge
We are committed to democratizing the use of bioinformatics, ensuring that researchers from various disciplines, including biology, ecology, conservation, forestry, and agriculture have access to advanced computational tools. Additionally, we believe that research should be accessible to and benefit local communities in order to improve their understanding and management of native species and ecosystems.
Ecosystem Conservation and Management
We believe bioinformatics is foundational to the study and conservation of our planet's biodiversity. We seek to develop tools that enhance our protection and management of biodiversity. We support efforts to monitor, preserve, and restore native ecosystems within the context of local communities with variable agricultural, forestry, or other land uses. Our vision includes fostering partnerships across various sectors and communities to integrate bioinformatics with traditional ecological and conservation methods, creating comprehensive solutions for ecosystem management.
Bridging Computation, Sustainability, and Community Needs
We provide bioinformatics solutions that advance scientific research and promote the growth and sustainability of local ecosystems and economies. By fostering collaborations between scientists, conservationists, and community stakeholders, we aim to create sustainable approaches to environmental stewardship. We believe the power of interdisciplinary and community collaboration is key in driving innovation and solving complex environmental challenges.