How do ecological communities recover from natural disturbances? What is the relationship between native and non-native biota for the maintenance of global diversity? These are some of the broad questions that have guided my research interests. My research combines field-based projects with some components of modelling. For that, I have worked on several ecosystems such as marine nearshore invertebrate communities and forests, from the tropics to the temperate zone, exploring aspects of disturbance ecology, invasion biology and biogeography. 

Currently, I am also the Assistant Director of the Temple Ambler Field Station, where some of our research has focused in understanding the resilience of temperate deciduous forest ecosystems to large-scale climate-driven disturbances, such as tornado storms. At the Field Station, one of our goals is to introduce a variety of outdoor experiential opportunities to students through field-based courses and internships. 

Learn more about me and my research at: https://sites.temple.edu/mbonfim/ 
Learn more about the Field Station, including opportunities of research internships for students at: https://ambler.temple.edu/fieldstation 
Follow the Field Station on social media! @TUfieldstation [twitter/ Instagram]