Coral Reef Fish Ecology

Biography

Rivera-Higueras is a marine ecologist whose research focuses on understanding the hidden diversity and ecological processes that sustain coral reef ecosystems. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. at the Marine Science Institute at The University of Texas at Austin, where she studies the diversity, distribution, and ecological roles of cryptobenthic reef fishes across the Great Caribbean. Her work aims to disentangle how core ecological processes shape marine biodiversity.

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She developed this research foundation during her master’s degree, where she investigated the ecological impacts of invasive lionfish on reef fish communities in Veracruz. Her work revealed the vulnerability and ecological importance of cryptobenthic and endemic reef fishes, highlighting their essential role in ecosystem processes. This experience shaped her long-term commitment to studying cryptobenthic reef fish communities and advancing knowledge that supports the conservation and management of coral reef ecosystems.