Dr. Alex Racelis is Assistant Professor of Environmental Science in the Department of Biology at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.   His research interests include invasive species ecology and management, tropical and subtropical ecology, and the study of linked-social ecological systems such as urban and agroecosystems. Dr. Racelis has recently initiated a teaching and research emphasis in Agroecology at UTPA, and is the director of two programs: The CENA Program is an education program that emphasizes Curriculum, Experiential Learning, and Networking in Agroecology; the SOAR Partnership (Subtropical Organic Agriculture Research Partnership) is a participatory action research program partnering with local organic and sustainable growers to examine applied ecological aspects and challenges that limit the competitiveness of organic agriculturalists in South Texas.