Luis C. Romero

RESEARCH INTERESTS

• Developing horticulture and conservation practices for rare plants through tissue culture.
• In-situ and ex-situ plant conservation.
• Development of propagation and restoration techniques relating to native desert ecosystems.
• Ecosystems, ethnography, and botany of the southwest.
• Practical conservation science, education, and outreach.

PERSONAL STATEMENT

As Conservation Collections Research Assistant, I currently assist with curating, propagating, and preserving the Garden’s rare plant collection. I also assist in managing our seed bank that houses thousands of rare and common species. I work alongside volunteers, horticulturists, and research colleagues to engage with our research, conservation, and outreach efforts. I have a background in education, various aspects of biology, conservation, and laboratory techniques. My main area of interest is to help incorporate micropropagation techniques into our conservation efforts at the DBG and help develop better strategies for reintegrating and restoring our beautiful ecosystems in the U.S. Southwest.