Jonas Mendez-Reneau
Botany (B.Sc.)
Environmental, Evolutionary, and Population Biology (Ph.D.)
I am a botanist, evolutionary and population biologist using genomics and bioinformatic methods in order to characterize the evolutionary history and population dynamics of plant species and communities. I have used my approaches to collaborate with high impact projects that have direct environmental management applications. This has driven me to seek career opportunities where genomics and bioinformatics in ecology, evolutionary and population biology contexts can inform the management and conservation of native ecosystems in collaboration with academic and natural resource management institutions.
My research as a post-doctoral fellow in Dr. Christy Edwards' Lab with the Missouri Botanical Gardens is focused on studying and characterizing a broad range of plant species native to the Florida Subtropical Grasslands that have experienced significant reduction in the last century. Collaborating with Steve Orzell and Brett Budach at the Avon Park Airforce Range, we are interested in studying plants native to these largely overlooked ecosystems with unique dynamics driven by fire-regimes that have caused plants to evolve special adaptations to fires.
My dissertation resulted in the characterization of new species and hybrids in the fern genus Polypodium s.s. with a bioinformatics pipeline I designed to process target-capture DNA for phylogenetic and population analyses (SORTER github.com/JonasMendez/)
In collaboration with the Oahu Army Natural Resource Program and the Hawaii Forest Reserves, I characterized endemic populations, novel lineages, hybrids representing significant biodiversity.
Additionally I helped confirm the presence of a new species associated with P. vulgare in Asia, having direct implications for natural supplements products derived from it.
Other Collaborations:
Global Urban Evolution Project: Conducted population genomics analyses on a whole-genome dataset of over 1,000 White Clover individuals across 50 populations worldwide, resulting in a high impact Nature Ecology & Evolution publication.
Consortium for Plant Invasion Genomics: Used SORTER to identify lineage diversity of the world-wide invasive Salvinia molesta, testing progenitor hypotheses under an allopolyploid hybrid framework to characterize its diverse evolutionary history.
California Conservation Genomes Project: Working on the native cactus, Opuntia basillaris and subspecies, across southern California in a landscape-genomics framework to understand how populations are differentiated and adapted to their local environment as well as identify adaptive genes.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.