The representatives of the Ecuadorian university La Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo (ESPOCH) Dr. Verónica Caballero-Serrano (Assistant Professor – Researcher) and Dr. Juan Carlos Carrasco (Director - Career of Renewable Natural Resources), visited the Tropical Botany and Ethnobiology Lab (TRIBE). Our Ecuadorian colleagues participated in meetings with TRIBE and the Laboratory of Plant Tissue Cultures staff and students to present research activities and directions of research cooperation. We shared scientific knowledge and research experiences in tropical plant biodiversity, plant taxonomy and ethnobotany and practical research approaches to identify underutilized plant species with promising nutritive and medicinal properties. We discussed potential joint herbarium collections-based research, genetic characterization of plant resources, novel micropropagation methods, in vitro techniques, and research on the polyploidization of particular species. Dr. Carrasco participated as a guest lecturer in Tropical Dendrology course for students of Tropical Crop Management and Ecology, and Tropical Forestry and Agroforestry MSc. Study programs. It has been an honour to host our Ecuadorian colleagues, and we look forward to beginning our joint research activities.
