MBC is currently supported by a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant with FIU, USDA, NYBG, and FTBG to support Zamia research in the Caribbean. Part of the grant supported the hiring of a student intern.  Nicholas Espinosa, a student at Florida International University and an alumnus from the Fairchild Challenge program, was hired to help with the research.

Nicolas Espinosa rotated among the institutions and worked approximately one month at each location learning the specifics of horticulture, herbaria, and microscopy. Nicholas learned how to care for a living collection, press and mount herbarium specimens, and prepare slides (see more about Nicolas’ work at MBC).

Nicholas was proud to announce during his lecture that he would be majoring in Biology after his time interning.  He deeply enjoyed learning about the different aspects of botany.