Dr. Ina Vandebroek joined the staff in the Department of Life Sciences as Senior Lecturer in 2021. Her research is grounded in Caribbean ethnobotany and developed in collaboration with local communities. Her projects revolve around the interconnectedness of Caribbean biological and cultural diversity. Ina has more than 22 years of experience in research and international cooperation projects in Bolivia, the Caribbean, and in New York City with the Caribbean diaspora. Ina's work also re-assesses the conservation status of endemic Jamaican plant species. Her research shows that, even in times of general loss of biological and cultural diversity worldwide, the use of wild and semi-domesticated plants remains popular in many local communities today and forms an integral part of their biocultural heritage. Ina has applied the results of her research to develop curricular materials and training activities for healthcare providers, to promote culturally-sensitive healthcare that makes space for patients' cultural knowledge, beliefs, and practices. She is fluent in Dutch, English, and Spanish.