Let's discover parasites of Puerto Rico!

Diana Perales Start Date: Oct 29, 2024 - End Date: Jan 26, 2025
  • Belo Horizonte, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil
  • Merida, Yucatan, Mexico

My Travel Story

by: Diana Perales Start Date: Oct 29, 2024 - End Date: Jan 26, 2025
Hello friends and supporters!

I’m thrilled to share that I’ve been accepted to present at two upcoming symposiums! As a passionate parasitologist, these events represent invaluable opportunities to connect with experts and share my work as I prepare to transition from my master’s program to a doctoral degree. However, funding is limited—my mentor’s funding has ended, and my university is currently unable to provide travel grants.

The first symposium is from November 27-29 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, where I’ll present research on turtle blood flukes and have the chance to meet Dr. Hudson Alves Pinto, a leading expert in parasitology. The second event will take place in Mérida, Yucatán, from January 20-24, 2025, where I’ll present a collaborative paper on zoonotic parasites from snails and fish, as well as findings from my thesis on fish-borne parasites discovered in molluscan surveys. These events are crucial for refining my research, gathering feedback before publication, and building relationships with peers in the field.

As a Puerto Rican with Peruvian roots, attending these symposiums is deeply meaningful to me as part of my commitment to representing women and underrepresented groups in science. Presenting in person allows me to highlight the parasitological diversity of Puerto Rico, advancing understanding of parasites' impacts on aquatic ecosystems.

Despite working as a zoology lab instructor at my university, my funding situation has become challenging due to a teaching section cancellation. That’s why I’m reaching out to ask for your support in raising $3,000 to cover travel, accommodations, and meals for both symposiums. As a thank you, I’m also open to helping with parasite identification services.

Thank you for considering this and for being part of my journey toward a career in parasitology!

Warm regards,
Diana M. B. Perales Macedo
  • Belo Horizonte, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil
  • Merida, Yucatan, Mexico

Updates

1

  • Another Day At The Lab!

    Another day at the lab!
    I'm already back at the lab to continue finishing a phylogenetic tree; let's see how it goes!