Maria C. Vallejo-Pareja

TESI Graduate Assistant

Maria C. Vallejo-Pareja is a biologist with a background in vertebrate paleontology. She is a Ph.D. candidate in the department of biology and the Florida Museum of Natural History who is interested in the fossil record, evolution, and distribution of small vertebrates. With a particular focus on frogs and toads, Maria’s research focuses on the evolution of fossil frog communities in Florida and Central America using comparisons with living species and 3D imaging methods like CT scans.

Maria is committed to the communication of science and making it more inclusive and equitable. In her role, she will be working with the Scientist in Every Florida School team to help coordinate the AI Learning in K-12 with Fossil Sharks Professional Development Program, which helps Florida teachers use paleontology to introduce artificial intelligence into their classrooms.