Former Postdoctoral Researcher from the ‘Camelids’ Project Appointed Vice rector for Research and Innovation
February 25, 2026
Alejandra María Toro Ospina, animal scientist and PhD in Genetics and Animal Breeding, has been appointed Vice-rector for Research and Innovation at the Universidad de la Amazonia in Colombia. Dr. Toro Ospina was a postdoctoral researcher in the Nexus III project, ‘Integrating genomics, phenotyping, and nutrition strategies to enhance alpaca fiber quality and survival in the Peruvian highlands’ (Camelids), from February 2024 to July 2025. In this role, she made significant contributions to connecting the project’s genomic, phenotypic, and field components. She coordinated genomic and phenotypic data collection across several alpaca populations in the Arequipa region, contributed to data analysis, and supported the development of an integrated genomic and fiber quality database that includes more than 600 animals and over 593,000 genomic markers per animal.
Dr. Toro Ospina also trained UNSA faculty, students, and alpaca producers in phenotypic recording, sample collection, and the use of genomic tools to inform breeding decisions. Her contributions helped lay the foundation for the genomic evaluation program at the CIBCI Experimental Station in Sumbay, Arequipa, strengthened the development of the alpaca fiber phenotyping laboratory at UNSA, and contributed to scientific manuscripts and conference presentations derived from the project.
Upon her appointment on January 16, Dr. Toro Ospina reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening knowledge generation, scientific research, and innovation at the Universidad de la Amazonia, with the goal of advancing sustainable development and generating meaningful social and territorial impact across the Amazon region.
Contact Details
- ROSA E COSSIO
- rosaecossio@gmail.com
- 765-494-0721
