I am a proud native of Mexico City, born and raised in Iztapalapa, a district known for its rich cultural heritage and its unique high crime and poverty challenges. I completed my undergraduate and graduate studies at UNAM, the National University of Mexico, and defended my PhD while pregnant with my first child. Living in the species rich area of semiarid central Mexico gives you an incredible perspective of plant biodiversity. For my first postdoc, I had the privilege of joining the prestigious Victoria Sosa Lab, spending several years immersed in research in the breathtaking highland cloud forests of Veracruz, Mexico. During this time, my second child was born. In a bold move, my family and I packed all our belongings into a Toyota Corolla and, and in 2014 drove north to relocate to Tucson, Arizona, where I began a new chapter in the Sonoran Desert as a postdoc at the Wiens Lab at the University of Arizona. Later, I joined the Arizona Genomics Institute, led by Rod Wing, expanding my expertise in genomics research.

After these enriching postdoc experiences, I returned to Mexico to join LANGEBIO (the National Laboratory of Genomics for Biodiversity) as a junior scientist. Finally, by the end of 2020, during the challenges of the pandemic, I fulfilled a lifelong dream by joining the Desert Botanical Garden as the New World Succulents Research Scientist—a role I consider the best job in the world!

Diana began her PhD journey in 2022, focusing on the fascinating world of agave. Her research emphasizes the domestication and biodiversity of spirit-producing agaves, specifically Agave angustifolia and Agave tequilana. Beyond her academic pursuits, Diana is an avid gamer. She also spends hours listening to true crime podcasts and tending to her garden, which is home to a variety of edible plants. Diana grows these edible plants in her garden to cook a variety of delicious dishes.

In 2024, Ryan completed his Master’s at Arizona State University. His thesis research focused on applying prioritization analyses from decision science to the conservation of Sonoran Desert Cactaceae (research advisors: Dr. Tania Hernández-Hernández, Dr. Gwen Iacona, and Dr. Kathleen Pigg) (journal publication forthcoming). His academic focuses include plant conservation, vascular plant taxonomy, decision science, and ecology. As of 2025, he is working as a botanist with the New Hampshire Natural Heritage Bureau, a state government agency committed to the protection of native plants. Ryan loves running, hiking, and camping. He is also and avid consumer of sci-fi and fantasy, history podcasts, and CBS Survivor.

Piero is an undergraduate student of Agro-Genomic Science at UNAM, ENES Leon Campus, Mexico. He is currently working on his thesis and last year research project at the DBG, as a collaboration for the Saguaro Vulnerability Project. The focus of Piero's research is bioinformatics in population genomics and his goal is to develop in landscape genomics as an applicant of the Masters in plant biology and conservation. Currently based in Phoenix, Arizona, he enjoys hiking, desert views, videogames and surfskating.

​I am Michelle, a graduate of UNAM León with a degree in Agrogenomic Sciences, and I also have a technical degree in Food Science from IPN. I am interested in population genomics and studying evolution. Understanding the dynamics of life and its environment is something that sparks my curiosity and fascinates me. Furthermore, I like reading novels, watching movies, and cooking in my free time. I like being with my family, it is the most important thing in my life.

Eddy joined the lab in 2020 for his bachelor's thesis in Agrigenomic Sciences at UNAM, where he studied the genetics of the Agave angustifolia complex. He recently received two master's degrees from Uppsala University (Sweden) and Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich (Germany). Eddy is interested in the evolution of plant physiology and is passionate about science communication and illustration. His experience includes population genetics, epigenetics, quantitative biology and adaptation genetics. Eddy strongly believes in the power of bringing kids closer to science, so they join our fight for a better tomorrow. As part of his hobbies, he likes experimenting in the kitchen, reading manga, producing music and painting.

Michiel (Mich) Pillet is the Program Officer for the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Cactus and Succulent Plants Specialist Group hosted by the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at The University of Arizona in Tucson, a member of the IUCN SSC Succulent Plant Illegal Trade Task Force, a member of the Cactus and Succulent Society of America Conservation Committee, and the Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society Conservation Committee Chair. Dedicated to cactus conservation, he studies the impact of climate change on cacti. In 2021, he opened a conservation-focused cactus nursery, Prickly Prospects, which focuses on ethical propagation of the most endangered species.

Jacob is a PhD student at the University of New Mexico. His interests include desert plants from both the Sonoran Desert in Arizona and the Chihuahuan Desert in New Mexico. His contributions in the Hernandez lab include a passion for saguaro cactus conservation and a curiosity about the early life of the saguaro and what the seedlings of this great plant can withstand. He is also interested in the desert grasslands of New Mexico and how drought effect the plant life in this ecosystem. Outside of his research, Jacob is an avid weightlifter, as he played football at Rhodes College during his undergrad. Jacob began collaborating with the Hernandez lab in late 2024 and is thrilled to get started and to contribute his expertise to further the understanding of the mighty saguaro, and how to best conserve this species.

Tram completed her PhD in Genomics and Genetics at the University of Montpellier and the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD) in France in 2023. In 2024, she started a postdoctoral position at the School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, where she is currently working on genotype imputation. She has joined the HernándezLab since the end of 2024. Her research interests include the genomic adaptation of plants in response to environmental changes and predicting their future trajectories. She is also interested in genetic diversity and evolution of different species, including both plants and animals. Outside of work, she likes swimming and solving puzzle games.

Marilyn is a biologist from Oaxaca, Mexico. In 2022, she joined Tecnológico Superior de Irapuato after completing a postdoctoral position at the National Laboratory of Genomics for Biodiversity (Langebio). Her research primarily focuses on the evolution of plants, with a particular interest in Mexican flora. Recently, she has been dedicating her investigations to spatial phylogenetics and conservation. Marilyn currently resides in Irapuato, Guanajuato. In her free time, she enjoys reading, going on field trips, and spending time with her pets.

During the last 30 years I have studied a diverse set of biological problems in northwestern Mexico. These problems range from documenting the biodiversity of the state of Sonora to exploring population genetic questions using molecular markers in plants. I also have studied reproductive systems in desert plants as well as the ecological consequences of the introduction of the invasive buffelgrass in northwestern Mexico. During the last 10 years I have studied the ecological impact of mining activities in the state of Sonora and the potential of native plants in the remediation of mine waste.

Crystal Zhou lives and breathes terroir. As a researcher, organizer, and artist working towards a diverse and biodiverse climate future, she has found the most hope in the resilience of farming communities, the intergenerational exchange of ecological knowledge, and the deep-rooted connections between people, land, and culture. Through her work, she uplifts community-led solutions that center sustainability, justice, and collective care, believing that transformative change begins with those who have long stewarded the land. As she returns to Phoenix after studying Black Studies and Classical Languages at Middlebury College, she is participating in a variety of local projects as an educator and sommelier. Drawing on a relationship with land cultivated through the Knoll in Vermont, Snail Farm in Danyang, and her grandmother's garden in Sichuan, she welcomes the opportunity to put down roots in Phoenix once again and cultivate new growth. Crystal is incredibly excited to serve as a coordinator for the Saguaro Nursery initiative and connect with Saguaro enthusiasts like herself from all across the valley.

I grew up in the Pacific Northwest. I got my BA in Biology from Whitman College. I received my MS in Plant Ecology from Western Washington University in the late 70s. I moved to Arizona in 1982. I recently retired and joined the DBG volunteer program in October 2024. I was lucky enough to catch on with Dr. Hernandez at the beginning of the Saguaro Seed Bank program. I am happy to be using my training again for a worthy project.

I am a masters student obtaining a degree in Plant Biology and Conservation at ASU with a partnership at Desert Botanical Gardens. My thesis will involve studying the mortality rates and health conditions of Saguaros found in the urban sprawl of the Phoenix metropolitan area, as there is concern throughout the community on their status. I first got involved with Desert Botanical Gardens as a teenager with the Teens in the Garden program back in 2015. Since then I have studied plants at Northern Arizona University, and decided to come back to Tempe for graduate school. I have also held seasonal positions at DBG's butterfly pavilion as the nursery lead. Working with the garden has been a great opportunity for learning about all of the research being conducted by the staff. It is a great community of passionate scientists and educators who share a love for the unique flora of the Sonoran Desert!

Send us an email to inquire about open positions and volunteering opportunities in our lab.