Malinda Barberio

Email: mbarberio <at> wisc.edu

I am especially interested in epiphytic plants, which can be defined as plants growing in tree canopies without roots in the soil. They are a largely understudied group most abundant in the tropics. My research will focus on neotropical epiphytes and their ability to absorb water through foliage. Additionally, I am interested in anatomical features such as trichomes and stomata in order to better understand their influence on water uptake. I hope that my research can better inform the community on the eco physiological properties of epiphytes while providing insights on the impacts of shifting climate and weather patterns to these species.