Co author of 

Heat-Induced Hatching: Clarifying Effects of Hydration and Heating Rate on Behavioral Thermal Tolerance of Red-Eyed Treefrog Embryos 

Estefany Caroline Guevara-Molina and othersIntegrative Organismal Biology, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2025, obaf023, https://doi.org/10.1093/iob/obaf023

Having received her doctorate from the University of São Paulo in Brazil, Estefany’s research often examines how organisms respond to environmental changes, such as heat stress and dehydration, and how these responses are related to their behavior and physiology. For example, her work has included studies on the effects of heat and hydration on and the behavioral thermoregulation of bullfrogs. 

At IOB we like to spotlight not only the papers we publish but also the scientists behind those papers.

Below, Estefany answered several questions about her scientific journey to being Doctor Guevara-Molina. 

Tell us a bit about your early interest in the sciences. Looking back, do you have a first experience or “aha” moment in school where you knew you wanted to pursue being a scientist? 

Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve always been interested in science in general. I remember that back in school, I created something like a foundation with a group of friends—we used to give talks about climate change on the streets of my city. We were even  interviewed on the radio!

When I started studying biology at university, I have to be honest, during my first year, I couldn’t find much inspiration. But that changed in my second year, when I took a class on chordate zoology. That’s when I fell in love with herpetology, and especially with amphibians. That moment marked the beginning of my passion for these fascinating organisms, and I started going on field trips with friends to observe them in the wild.

I’m from Colombia, from a city called Armenia, in the department of Quindío—a region surrounded by rich Andean forests. Over the years, I’ve had the chance to observe many species in these ecosystems. I truly believe that it was during that university class, however, when I realized I wanted to dedicate my life to science and research, with these incredible anurans as my study model.

What do you feel were some of the surprising things you’ve learned along the way? 

I continue to be amazed by amphibian biology—especially their reproductive strategies and parental care. In Colombia, particularly in the Andes, there’s a fascinating family of frogs commonly known as glass frogs (Family Centrolenidae). I had the chance to observe several species, and they’re incredibly interesting in terms of reproductive ecology, parental care, and general behavior. I was constantly fascinated by everything I was learning about them.

Later on, I was truly blown away by the research on Agalychnis callidryas embryos, especially regarding adaptive plasticity, led by my advisor Karen Warkentin. Being able to contribute to the science of these embryos has felt amazing—they never stop surprising me. I think one of the most beautiful things about being a biologist is that science will never, ever stop astonishing us. There’s always something new to learn.

Were there any misconceptions you had about your field and how did actually being in the program for your doctorate change those? 

At some point, I did question whether I’d have the financial resources to pursue graduate studies. I never doubted my desire to study and learn—that motivation has always been there, even during hard times. But when it came to funding, I used to think that only those with money could truly move forward.

I was wrong. I completed my master’s and I’m now finishing my PhD in Brazil—an incredible country that, for the past eight years, has given me opportunities, funding, and invaluable learning experiences. Being trained here has taught me that what we truly need is movement—movement toward our dreams. We need to stay focused and keep going.

What are some of your goals (research and otherwise) for the future? 

I’d love to continue doing research. As scientists, we’re always driven by the questions we want to answer—and my PhD has left me with so many questions I’m eager to explore. I also hope to collaborate with young researchers and support them the way my mentors supported me.

“I remember one of my university professors used to say that “knowledge is collective”, and I truly believe that. That’s also why I enjoy teaching—I’d like to gain more experience in it and contribute to learning communities in meaningful ways.”

They say we learn best from our perceived failures. Can you detail for us a bit about project or experiment that at the time you felt failed, yet when you think of it now, you learned from? (and what did you learn?) 

I believe that an experiment that doesn’t give us the answer we hoped for shouldn’t be considered a failure. I see it as a lesson learned. Ever since I started doing research, I’ve encountered obstacles—some we overcome, some we adapt to, and others simply teach us something valuable.

During my master’s, for example, I realized there were important variables I didn’t control for, that I lacked experience in data analysis, and that I still had a lot to learn about experimental design. So, I tried to grow in those areas during my PhD—both through scientific writing, which is a constant learning process, and by improving my experimental design.

I learned to listen, to observe through the experiences of others, to identify what I could apply and grow from. Most importantly, I stopped being afraid to share my ideas and started trusting my abilities a bit more.

Who were some of your mentors over the years and what are some of the things they imparted to you? 

I’ve learned something valuable from each of my mentors. My first mentor, Dr. Fernando Vargas Salinas, introduced me to the world of herpetology and scientific research. I remember our first publication together like it was yesterday: we were in the field at night, recording amplexus and egg attendance in Nymphargus grandisonae, the frog species I worked with for my undergraduate project. As he filmed, he turned to me and said, “Caro, we’ve got a publication,” because that behavior hadn’t been reported for the species before. I was just fascinated and thrilled about what was to come.

Later, during my master’s, I had two mentors: Dr. Fernando Ribeiro Gomes and Dr. Agustín Camacho Guerrero. They made it possible for me to come to Brazil, and I learned so much from both of them—especially about scientific writing, experimental design, and identifying the areas I needed to strengthen as I continued my academic journey.

In my PhD, Dr. Fernando Ribeiro Gomes continued as my mentor, now alongside Dr. Karen Warkentin. I see the PhD as a very special and challenging time in my life, and they always guided me with respect, kindness, care, and empathy. Fernando taught me the value of patience and consistency in the process, and Karen taught me to never lose the sense of wonder in what we do. I carry lessons from each of them with me.

I’ve also learned from other mentors along the way—during research stays, committee meetings, and from reviewers. I’m deeply grateful to each one of them.

If you had to offer any advice to scientists starting out, what would it be? 

It’s very easy to doubt yourself. My advice is: keep going, and don’t stop believing in your abilities. Love science, but don’t forget to live beyond it.

Many times, we forget that there’s a world outside of academia—and it’s easy to lose ourselves in the process. So, love what you do, give it your best, but don’t forget to live.

Connect with Estefany:

• Instagram: @e_carolinegm
• Twitter / X: @scarolinem
• ResearchGate: Estefany Guevara Molina

& Be sure to support SICB’s student scholarship Fine Art America fund by purchasing the cover of this paper on items such as totes, yoga mats, notebooks and more