Melqui has studied the ecology and conservation of bats for over 10 years. Originally from Colombia, Melqui conducted his undergraduate and most of his research work in Costa Rica. He recently completed his doctorate from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, where he investigated antipredator behaviors in bats and the implication of these behaviors in bat communication and sociality. He is a passionate ecologist interested in conservation and behavioral ecology. He has published work on topics including species distribution, habitat selection, and roost requirements for multiple bat species, with a particular emphasis in the neotropics. Melqui joined Bat Conservation International as a research fellow leading the Florida bonneted bat conservation program. In this role, he will lead BCI’s outreach and conservation activities in Florida related to Florida bonneted bats and address fundamental questions about roost ecology, habitat use, anthropogenic habituation and urban ecology of this endangered species.