Irma Alejandra Soto Werschitz Biologist; July 23, 1972 (Mexico DF, Mexico); Married; One daughter; Mexican. Teacher and Researcher Laboratorio de Zoología Aplicada [Laboratory of Applied Zoology], Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida 5101, Venezuela. Phone: +58 0274 2401304; Fax: +58 0274 2401286; alesoto@ula.ve, alewerschitz@gmail.com, http://www.saber.ula.ve/handle/123456789/8317 EDUCATION 2000. Instituto de Ecología AC, Xalapa, Mexico Magister in Sciences, major in wild fauna management. Average score 9.36/10.00 1999. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Mexico DF, Biologist, major in Animal Ecology. Average score 8.58/10.00. Revalidated by the Universidad de Los Andes, Merida, Venezuela, in 2009 SELECTED PUBLICATIONS 2016 Ramoni-Perazzi P., Rengifo C. & I. A. SOTO-WERSCHITZ. Further records for the Swainson’s Hawk Buteo swainsoni in Venezuela. Revista Venezolana de Ornitología 6: 29–31, 2016. 2014 Ramoni-Perazzi P., I. A. SOTO-WERSCHITZ, G. Bianchi-Pérez, J. Jones, D. Ruíz-Ramoni, M. Molina & M. Muñoz Romo. Noteworthy records for the avifauna of Cordillera de Merida, Venezuela. Cotinga. 36:1–10. --------Ramoni-Perazzi, P., Ruiz-Ramoni, D., Muñoz-Romo, M., Thielen Engelbertz, D. R. & I. A. SOTO-WERSCHITZ. Some Considerations on the Conservation status of the Giant fruit-eating Bat, Artibeus amplus (Phyllostomidae: Stenodermatinae). Interciencia, 39(5), 354-356. 2012 Llambí C.L.D., I.A. SOTO WERSCHITZ, et al. [Ecology, hydrology and soils of Paramo]. Editorial Proyecto Páramo Andino, CONDESAN. ISBN 9-789942115492. Ecuador, Quito. 238 pp. 2009 Ramoni-Perazzi, P. Guillermo Bianchi-Ballesteros, Luis Daniel Otero, I.A. SOTO WERSCHITZ & Guillermo Bianchi-Pérez. Giant Cowbird (Molothrus oryzivora) as brood parasite of the Green Jay (Cyanocorax yncas) in the Venezuelan Andes. Ornitología Neotropical 20:305-309. 2007 Ramoni Perazzi, P., I. A. SOTO-WERSCHITZ & L. Almeida. First Record of variegated flycatcher (Empidonomus v. varius) and further records of house sparrow (Passer domesticus) for los Roques, Archipielgao, Venezuela. Journal of Caribbean Ornithology. 20:47-49. 2000 SOTO-WERSCHITZ I. A., S. Mandujano & S. Gallina. [Spatial behavior of the Texan white tailed deer females with and without offsprings during breeding season] VII Simposium on deers in Mexico ISBN: 968-36-8169-7. Mexico D.F. AWARDS AND HONORS 2016 Certificate of Appreciation from Universidad de Los Andes for 10 service years. 2015 [Stimulus Program to Innovation and Research] from National Observatory for Sciences, Technology and Research (Spanish acronym PEII-ONCTI). Researcher A-1. 2014 [Direct Support to Research Groups] from Universidad de Los Andes. 2013 [Stimulus Program to Innovation and Research] from National Observatory for Sciences, Technology and Research (Spanish acronym PEII-ONCTI). Researcher A-1. --------[Stimulus Program to Researcher] from Universidad de Los Andes. 2012 [Direct Support to Research Groups] from Universidad de Los Andes. 2011 [Stimulus Program to Innovation and Research] from National Observatory for Sciences, Technology and Research (Spanish acronym PEII-ONCTI). Researcher A. --------[Stimulus Program to Researcher] from Universidad de Los Andes. 2010 [Direct Support to Research Groups] from Universidad de Los Andes. 2009 “Cum Laude” in Biology from Universidad de Los Andes. 2006 Certificate of Appreciation from Merida Botanical Garden, Sciences Faculty, Universidad de Los Andes. 2005 Certificate of Appreciation from Universidad Experimental Libertador, Master on Biology Teaching Subprogram. RESEARCH EXPERIENCE At Laboratorio de Zoología Aplicada [Laboratory of Applied Zoology], currently (with several collaborators): (i) Ecology and distribution of birds in Venezuelan Andes; (ii) Ecology and distribution of Venezuelan non-volant small mammals; (iii) Ecology, distribution and conservation of frugivorous bats, particularly of the genus Artibeus. At Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Ecológicas [Institute of environmental sciences and ecological], from 2006 to 2016 (with several collaborators): (i) Capacitation coordinator [Andean Paramo Project: Conservation of the diversity of the paramo in Northern and Central Andes] PNUMA-FNAM; (ii) IP Projetc 2011: Ecology of carnivore Nasuella meridensis (Carnívora: Procyonidae); (iii) Data-Analysis 2009–2011. LEAF Project: From Landscape to Ecosystem: Across- scales functioning in Changing Environments. Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (AIA CRN II-5); Co-responsible 2009. GLORIA: [Determination of the vulnerability of the High Andes vegetation in Venezuela in front of World Climatic changes through long-term monitoring]; (iv) Educational projects for spreading the knowledge ecological in communities and ecologic education with participation of rural and urban communities of the Merida State. At Merida’s Botanical Garden, from 2001 to 2006 (with several collaborators): (i) Educative coordinator: 6 projects in the Garden and surrounding communities. (ii) Development of zoological and botanical activities; (iii) Attention to more than 35 000 people; (iv) Advice to schools for the development of activities in the classroom. Master Research: Instituto de Ecología AC, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico, 2000, (research adviser: PhD in Sciences(Biology) Salvador Mandujano Rodríguez): Radiotelemetry of Texan white tailed deer females during breeding season. Undergraduate Research: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, 1999 (research adviser: PhD Fernando Cervantes Reza and PhD Arturo Caso): Radiotelemetry of white-nosed coati females during breeding season. Other experience: (i) With wild cats (ocelot, jaguarondi) in Tamaulipas, México with PhD in Wildlife Ecology Arturo Caso. Radiotelemetry experience. Courses more relevant: (i) Order Integral of the half urban. [Centre inter-American of development and research environmental and Territorial] CIDIAT Centro Interamericano de Desarrollo e Investigación Ambiental y Territorial. Merida, Venezuela. Intensive course. 60 hours, Rating 18/20. Postgraduate master in management of resources natural renewable and environment. (ii) International course on theory and practice of techniques applied to the conservation and management of wildlife. Colegio de Postgraduados. Monterrey, new Leon, Mexico. Rating: 10/10 program of master's degree. Handling and administration of life wild. 1998. (iii) Management and conservation of terrestrial vertebrates. Institute of Ecology A.C. Xalapa, Veracruz and laboratory of the desert, reservation of the biosphere Mapimi, Durango, Mexico. Rating: 9.5/10.0. Graduate of master's and PhD in ecology and management of resources natural. 80 hours 1997; (iv) Ecology of Desert Island Mammals (Grand Canyon University y Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C. La Paz, Baja California Sur, México. 1996); (v) Identification and interpretation of traces of wild mammals. Instituto de Ecología, A.C. Xalapa, Veracruz, México. 1996. CURRENT (MAIN) RESEARCH INTEREST I am interested in ecology, conservation and management of wildlife. My background is in the behavioral ecology of mammals (carnivore and ungulates -home range, core areas, habitat utilization and reproductive strategies of females-) and ecology and distribution of birds, non- volant small mammals, ecology, distribution and conservation of frugivorous bats. I work in environmental education and public activities for reconciling interests among wildlife, and people. TEACHING EXPERIENCE 2016 to present Teacher [Animal Biology] Biology students, Universidad de Los Andes. -------Teacher [Plant ecology] Geography students, Geography graduate School, Universidad de Los Andes. 2014 Invited teacher [Course on Ecology and Natural Renewable Resources Principles] Management of Natural Renewable Resources and Environment Master Program, Universidad de Los Andes. 2011 Invited teacher [Paramo ecology] CONDESAN-Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Ecológicas, Universidad de Los Andes. --------Invited teacher [Advanced course on plant ecology] Biology students, Universidad de Los Andes. 2009 Teacher [Paramo ecology] Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Ecológicas, Universidad de Los Andes. 2004. Invited researcher [V Workshop for scientific and technological information management] FUNDACITE - Merida and Universidad de Los Andes. 2003 Teacher [Introduction to birds] Intendend to general public. Jardín Botánico de Merida. Venezuela. --------Invited teacher [Course on preservation and conservation of the heritage: Biological classification] Graduate School of Humanities and Education of Universidad de Los Andes --------Invited teacher [Course on preservation and conservation of the heritage: the importance of scientific collections in museums, classification and taxonomy] Graduate School of Humanities and Education of Universidad de Los Andes. --------Invited researcher [IV Workshop for scientific and technological information management] FUNDACITE - Merida and Universidad de Los Andes. 2001 Full time teacher. Biology of secondary school. La Salle School. Merida, Venezuela. --------Full time teacher. Biology and health education of secondary school. Centro Educacional de la Asociación de Profesores de la Universidad de los Andes CEAPULA (Ministerio de Educación –No. 3098). Merida, Venezuela. 1994 Teacher. [Course on human evolution]. Intendend for elementary school teachers. Museo de Historia Natural de la Ciudad de Mexico. Mexico D.F. --------Teacher. [Evolution: Mecanisms and evidences of the evolutionary process]. Intendend for elementary school teachers. Museo de Historia Natural de la Ciudad de Mexico. Mexico D.F. PRESENTATIONS 2012 Ramoni-Perazzi, P. & A. SOTO-WERSCHITZ. [Modelling of habitat availability for Lesbia nuna (Trochilidae) in Venezuela]. [II Venezuelan Ornithological Congres] Universidad del Zulia. Maracaibo, Venezuela. 2008 Ramoni-Perazzi, P., L. Almeida, I.A. SOTO-WERSCHITZ & G.G. Meier. On the Presence of the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) in Los Roques Archipelago, Venezuela. International Invasive Bird Conference. Australia. 2006 León Vargas Y., J.C. Gaviria R. & I.A. SOTO-WERSCHITZ. [Sowing environmental values from the Botanical Garden of Merida, Venezuela].[IX Latin American Congres on Botanics] Dominican Republic. 2005 Gaviria R. J.C., León Vargas Y. & I.A. SOTO-WERSCHITZ. [SELVA Project: Sowing Environmental Values in the City of Merida]. [Symposium City]. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias Humanas HUMANIC de la Universidad de Los Andes. Merida, Venezuela. 2003 SOTO-WERSCHITZ A., J. C. Gaviria Rincón & Y. León Vargas. [The Botanical Garden of Merida: a tool for fauna conservation] [XV Congress of Botany] Merida, Venezuela. -------SOTO-WERSCHITZ A., J. C. Gaviria Rincón & Y. León Vargas. [Teachings skills in Botany through the education program A Garden in your City] [XV Congress of Botany] Merida, Venezuela. 2002 Ramoni-Perazzi P., I.A. SOTO-WERSCHITZ & C. Gottberg. [Phylogenetic signal and vocalizations of the genus Pharomachrus (Aves: Trogoniformes: Trogonidae)]. [LII Annual Convention of the Venezuelan Association for Science Advance] Barquisimeto, Lara, Venezuela. 2000 SOTO-WERSCHITZ A., S. Mandujano & S. Gallina. [Spatial behavior of the Texan white tailed deer females with and without offsprings during the breeding season][VII Simposium on deers in Mexico] Mexico D.F. --------SOTO-WERSCHITZ I.A., S. Mandujano & S. Gallina. [Individual variation in homerange and habitat use of texan white tailed deer females during breeding season] [V National Congress of Mastozoology] Merida, Yucatán, Mexico. --------SOTO-WERSCHITZ I.A. [Spatial behavior of Texan white tailed deer females durin breeding season] Invited conference. Instituto de Ecología A.C. Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico. 1999 Ramoni-Perazzi P., V. Sosa, M. M. Ojeda & I.A. SOTO-WERSCHITZ. [An integrated approach for the establishment of conservation priority areas in Tropical Mexico: an example using birds as indicator group] VI Neotropical Ornithological Congress, Monterrey, Mexico. 1998 Caso-Aguilar A., M. E. Tewes & I.A. SOTO-WERSCHITZ. [Effect of the alteration of the natural hábitat due to clearing on three species of wild carnivores in Tamaulipas, Mexico]. [IV National Congress of Mastozoology]. Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico. 1997 Caso-Aguilar A., A. SOTO-WERSCHITZ, F. A. Cervantes & M. E. Tewes. Selected ecological patterns of the coatimundi in Tamaulipas, Mexico. Seventh International Theriological Congress (ITC). Acapulco, Mexico. FUNDING 2014-Present PI of the Project: [CREATING ConSCIENCES]. Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Ecológicas-FUNDACITE Merida. 2011 PI of the Project (co-responsibles: P. Ramoni, R. Dulhoste & T. Schwarzkopf): [Habitat use by Nasuella meridensis (Carnívora: Procyonidae) in San José del Sur paramo, Merida, Venezuela] Scientific, Humanistic, Tecnological and Artistic Development Council of Universidad de Los Andes CDCHT-ULA C-1713-10-01-D. 2011-2013. ------- Co-responsible (responsibles: P. Ramoni & R. Dulhoste): [Estimation of the relative abundance and habitat use of the Andean coatí (Nasuella olivacea) in San José del Sur paramo, Merida State]. Provita: Threatened Species Initiative. -------PI of the Project (co-responsible: T Schwarzkopf): [Knowledge for action: Research and ecologic education with participation of rural and urban communities of the Merida State] Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Ecológicas. Facultad de Ciencias-ULA. 2006 – 2012 Capacitation coordinator: [Andean Paramo Project: Conservation of the diversity of the paramo in Northern and Central Andes] PNUMA-FNAM. Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Ecológicas. Facultad de Ciencias-ULA. 2006 PI of the Project: [Housing improvement and promotion of the touristic development in Santa Rosa community, Merida Venezuela]. FUNDACITE-Merida. 2005 – 2006 PI of the Project: [Environmental Education] Mérida’s Technological Park CVI-PIC-C- 01-05, Merida, Venezuela. 2005 PI of the Project (co-responsibles: Y. León, J. Gaviria): [SELVA Project: Sowing Environmental Values] Institutional Cooperative Projects CDCHTA-ULA PIC, Merida, Venezuela. 2002-2004 PI of the Project: [Educative Program: A garden in my city!].[Botanical Garden of Merida Foundation, Merida, Venezuela. 2001-2002 PI of the Project: [Diffusion and Research of the Fauna in Botanical Garden of Merida] - DIFAB. Botanical Garden of Merida Center, Universidad de Los Andes, Merida, Venezuela. 1998-2000 PI of the Project: [Behavior strategies of the Texan white tailed deer females during breeding season] Ducks Unlimited of Mexico (DUMAC). 1997-2000 Beneficiary: Master’s Studies Grant. National Council of Science and Technology of Mexico (CONACYT 225260-5-2480PB. 1997-2000). 1997-1999 Beneficiary: Master Postgraduate Program. Fish and WildLife Services U.S.A. 1995-1997 PI of the Project: [Homerange of the female of the coati (Nasua narica) during breeding season in Tamaulipas, Mexico]. [Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico Foundation: Undergraduate Thesis Funds]. JOURNAL REVIEWER EXPERIENCE 2012 Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad. Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico. 2009 Revista de Ciencia y Tecnología de América / Journal of Science and Technology of the Americas / Revista de Ciência e Tecnologia das Americas. INTERCIENCIA. Venezuela. LANGUAGES Spanish: fluent reading, writing, speaking and listening. English: fluent reading, medium listening, basic speaking and writing. Italian: Medium reading. Portuguese: Medium reading. COMPUTING SKILLS Manejo de los Programas: ArcView y ArcInfo. Trypoli 2 (Laundré 1990), CALHOME (California Home Range; Kie et al. 1994). Microsof Office (word, excel, acces, power point). Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Ilustrator. OTHERS I dedicated a great portion of my professional time to academic outreach activities, for example organizing more than 20 courses, workshops and related activities intended for elementary school students, social communicators, Government agencies members or rural communities among others, both in Venezuela and Mexico. I have also been editor of rural communities’ newspapers. I have mentored the community service of 10 graduate students.