Dr. Alan Masters
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
Field Trip 2: The Caribbean Slope Part 2
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
Field Trip 2: The Caribbean Slope
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 Wet Forest to Dry Forest: Getting to Santa Rosa National Park
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
The last days at Corcovado: Hike to Llorona and Visit to Isla del Caño
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
Learning Tropical Ecology in the best classroom (Part 2 - Visit to Paradise)
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
Learning Tropical Ecology in the best classroom (Part 1)
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
Spring 2018 Tropical Ecology & Conservation Program has Started
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
Celebrating the Independence of Costa Rica
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
The end of the journey
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
Student's Projects, Independent Research in Tropical Ecology (Part 3)
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