Monteverde
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CIEE Staff

Dr. Alan Masters

STEM Academic Director Costa Rica
Hometown: Monteverde, Costa Rica

Since 1993, I've been director of CIEE’s Tropical Ecology and Conservation summer study abroad program. While originally a lepidopterist, I've studied over 22 species of mimetic butterflies in Monteverde: what makes them taste bad and what that means to predation risk. Since teaching with CIEE, my interests include not only plant-animal interactions but all facets of tropical diversity and conservation.

I have an M.S. and Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Florida and a B.S. from Illinois State University. I've lived in Monteverde for over 20 years.

Posts

From CIEE

Field Trip 2: The Caribbean Slope Part 2

By Dr. Alan Masters at CIEE

For the second part of the field trip we have two more places to visit Parismina and Bocas del Toro in Panama. The main objective of the visit to Parismina... keep reading

From CIEE

Field Trip 2: The Caribbean Slope

By Dr. Alan Masters at CIEE

After spending a few weeks in Monteverde it was time for us to leave on our second field trip, this time we will be traveling along the Caribbean slope of... keep reading

From CIEE

From Wet Forest to Dry Forest: Getting to Santa Rosa National Park

By Dr. Alan Masters at CIEE

We left Corcovado behind and it is time to move on the Pacific slope going from wet to dry forest. Our final destination is Santa Rosa National Park, located on... keep reading

From CIEE

The last days at Corcovado: Hike to Llorona and Visit to Isla del Caño

By Dr. Alan Masters at CIEE

Corcovado has been an amazing place to be, after spending a few days learning about the species of plants and animals found in this Wet Forest it was time for... keep reading

From CIEE

Learning Tropical Ecology in the best classroom (Part 2 - Visit to Paradise)

By Dr. Alan Masters at CIEE

After visiting the Sierpe Mangroves we move to our next destination, Corcovado National Park. After a 1 hour boat ride along the Pacific Coast we arrive to the place that... keep reading

From CIEE

Learning Tropical Ecology in the best classroom (Part 1)

By Dr. Alan Masters at CIEE

After spending a couple days in the city it is time to start our first field trip and learn about tropical ecology in the best way possible, visiting many different... keep reading

From CIEE

Spring 2018 Tropical Ecology & Conservation Program has Started

By Dr. Alan Masters at CIEE

The Tropical Ecology & Conservation Spring 2018 cohort has arrive to Costa Rica. Eighteen enthusiastic students arrive to San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, eager to learn about biology... keep reading

From CIEE

Celebrating the Independence of Costa Rica

By Dr. Alan Masters at CIEE

On Friday September 15th Costa Rica celebrated 196 years of Independent life. In a country with no army and a great education system this holiday means a big celebration for... keep reading

From CIEE

The end of the journey

By Dr. Alan Masters at CIEE

The Tropical Ecology & Conservation Summer 2017 program has come to a end. For 2 months the students experienced the life of a Tropical biologist exploring the different ecosystems of... keep reading

From CIEE

Student's Projects, Independent Research in Tropical Ecology (Part 3)

By Dr. Alan Masters at CIEE

The Independent Research is coming to an end, and the students are finishing their data collection and coming to great conclusions with the data they are finding. Christine Bradley from... keep reading

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