Lourdes Mederos, a public relations specialist at UF/IFAS Communications, has made the sun and fun of South Florida her passion. Hiking, kayaking and finding new adventures makes life that much sweeter especially when she can share a good story.

Posts by Lourdes Mederos:

• UF scientist to investigate cost-effective methods to combat nematode pests, diseases in turfgrass
• UF/IFAS Study: Termite queen and king are the best parents in the world, until they’re not
• Nov. 5 Art in the Garden offers native plant sale, 4-H youth activities, gardening demonstrations, art workshop and more
• MEDIA ALERT: NOV. 5 dormitory groundbreaking celebrates gift, successes of first Black female entomology student at UF
• A UF/IFAS assistant professor and award-winning engineer uses artificial intelligence to conserve water
• Graduate dormitory housing is focus of UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center groundbreaking, fundraiser, Nov. 5
• Director of UF/IFAS Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory leads a team of scientists on the frontlines of mosquito research from Florida
• What to know about mosquitoes and hurricane recovery
• UF/IFAS St. Lucie Ag-Extension Fall Festival offers plants, petting zoo, programs and more
• This UF/IFAS assistant professor and 2022 Extension Specialist of the Year is at the forefront cultivating sustainable lettuce varieties for Florida

• UF/IFAS Extension Collier offers Spanish classes for commercial pesticide, fertilizer licensing required by FDACS
• Hispanic Heritage Profile: Meet Luz Bahder
• Nonnative lizard that appears to walk on water thrives in Florida
• UF/IFAS appoints internationally acclaimed scientist to lead new Invasion Science Research Institute
• UF/IFAS study sheds light on termite colony longevity and reproductive strategies over decades
• Find Your Frugal: Six tips to save money at the farmers market
• MEDIA ALERT: August 18 honey taste-testing event with UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie, partners, to commemorate World Honey Bee Day
• UF/IFAS scientist develops detection method for lethal palm disease that saves time, money, property
• Find Your Frugal: Low-cost, free summer family fun ideas
• Learn signs of algae blooms from UF/IFAS expert at free virtual webinar Aug. 2

• MEDIA ALERT: Miami Dade HS interns explore urban food production with partners, historic Red Rooster Overtown
• Find Your Frugal: More ways to curb school supply costs
• Find Your Frugal: Six ways to save on school supplies
• Find Your Frugal: Five ways to save on banking, avoid fees
• Find Your Frugal: Five tips to getting, keeping credit
• UF/IFAS research on crocodiles provides key insights on wildlife aging
• Find Your Frugal: Five ways to save on auto expenses
• June 25: Join UF/IFAS to support conservation of imperiled crocodile species
• Find Your Frugal: Five tips to help you save on hurricane preparedness expenses
• UF/IFAS, Mississippi State seek input to assess potential expansion of U.S. passion fruit industry

• What is your termite risk in Florida? UF/IFAS scientists explain - it depends where you live
• Starting May 2: UF/IFAS program connects small-scale growers, entrepreneurs with digital marketing tools
• Free UF/IFAS Extension webinars for South Florida landscapes address challenges, offer tips
• ​UF/IFAS expert: Don’t disturb bats during maternity season​
• UF/IFAS scientists record first case of harmful bacteria in ubiquitous weed throughout U.S.
• A lifetime passion for livestock attracts new agent to UF/IFAS Extension Highlands County
• UF/IFAS expert explains what to expect when midges invade your pond, lake
• Water Conservation Month approaching: UF/IFAS expert explains why saving water matters
• Termite season: UF/IFAS scientist answers common questions, corrects misconceptions
• Women in Science: A conversation with the UF/IFAS scientist behind the Smartt Lab

• UF/IFAS scientist shares how love for learning led to lifetime of teaching, international work
• UF/IFAS Extension, College of Medicine, local partners join to provide farmworker health fair
• UF/IFAS Turfgrass Field Day and Expo brings trends, research to South Florida counties
• UF/IFAS scientist battles ‘hidden enemies’ in South Florida’s soil
• UF/IFAS, SFWMD ask residents to identify, report invasive snakes
• Termite season is coming: Local UF scientist explains what to know at free March 1 webinar
• A silver anniversary celebrates a golden UF/IFAS Extension idea
• Mosquitoes that transmit West Nile virus love to bite non-native lizards: What’s next?
• Internationally acclaimed scientist to lead UF/IFAS Everglades Research and Education Center
• Need help with palm trees? Meet the UF/IFAS experts in Orlando, Feb. 25

• UF/IFAS receives nearly $1 million grant to engage more low-income students in geomatics
• Horseshoe crabs need your love, South Florida. Join the Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch on Feb. 12
• USDA Grant To Enhance UF/IFAS Vanilla Research, Promote Domestic Industry
• UF/IFAS experts address palm pest spreading into two additional South Florida counties- February 9
• UF/IFAS Extension offers free webinar on virus killing St. Augustinegrass – January 18
• Hibiscus flowers not flowering? Scout for the hibiscus bud weevil, UF IFAS scientists suggest
• Holidays are primetime for pork, the protein that packs a punch with Florida goodness
• One Night in the Tropics paves the way for new UF/IFAS graduate housing
• Can antiviral agents help immune systems fight mosquito-borne dengue?
• UF/IFAS study: Forget the queen, kill the brood to eliminate subterranean termite colonies

• University of Florida faculty joins national team awarded $7.5M USDA-NIFA grant
• New fungus brings truffle-like fungi, wilting leaves, unpleasant smell in potted Boston Ferns
• UF/IFAS awarded grant to boost shellfish aquaculture industry, water quality initiatives
• Insecticide targeting juvenile mosquitoes can enhance Zika transmissions
• Fighting the tegu spread, protecting Florida’s wildlife, natural areas through sustained multiagency efforts
• Community moved to sponsor UF/IFAS graduate housing, tomorrow’s scientists
• Using 1.68M termites, UF/IFAS students show how only a few need to feed on baits to eliminate the colony
• Hurricane Heroes: Jonathan Crane
• Celebrating Hispanic Heritage through the legacy of a 2021 Great Immigrant at UF/IFAS
• Fall in Florida is primetime for growing lettuce at home hydroponically, UF/IFAS explains

• New 4-H youth development agent returns home just in time for National 4-H Week
• Termite study: Scientists zero in on how termites coordinate mating behavior for colony success
• Vero Beach 4-H youth wins dairy calf to raise, promotes sustainability message
• Communicating relevant, real-time red tide events, Florida Sea Grant report explains
• UF/IFAS scientists tapped to join national research effort advancing phosphorus sustainability, funded by NSF
• UF/IFAS scientist reaches turning point on palm disease research
• UF/IFAS researchers explain science behind genetically modified mosquitoes
• Starting September 20, learn sustainable urban food production tips in South Florida with UF/IFAS
• Majority of Florida mosquito species are understudied, UF/IFAS survey illustrates
• UF/IFAS scientist publishes new data on insect causing lethal disease in palm trees

• Mark your calendars for One Night in the Tropics on November 6 - A UF/IFAS event for graduate housing
• Back by popular demand: UF/IFAS Extension Broward Urban Sustainable Food Production Short Course
• Come across this giant whip scorpion in your area? UF/IFAS expert explains what to expect
• Free Youth Fishing Clinic set, August 5, let your 8- to 14-year-old get hooked with skills
• Papaya consumer popularity prompts UF/IFAS trial for commercial expansion
• UF/IFAS appoints visionary leader as director of Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center
• UF/IFAS study validates disputed control efforts for invasive mosquito outbreak in California
• UF/IFAS study links soil fertility, nutrient loss in organic soils to activity of archaeal microbes
• Container mosquitoes on your property? UF/IFAS scientists help you identify
• Fall may be prime for specialty pumpkins, but June is just right for growing calabaza

• UF/IFAS, Miami chocolatier cook up winning recipes with Florida-grown vanilla
• UF/IFAS Tropical Fruit Tuesdays sows what you need to grow, maintain tropical fruit trees
• UF/IFAS study connects how health status of American Crocodiles is influenced by salinity levels in Florida Everglades
• UF/IFAS connects small scale growers with post-Covid-19 digital marketing options
• New director takes lifetime work in Ag, 4-H to the next level at UF/IFAS Extension Highlands County
• UF/IFAS, Australia formalize to collaborate on fruit, crop research
• UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County announces new director
• Let simple Florida Friendly Landscape™ practices attract wildlife into your backyard - A citizen science opportunity
• Let simple Florida Friendly Landscape™ practices attract wildlife into your backyard - A citizen science opportunity
• Let simple Florida Friendly Landscape™ practices attract wildlife into your backyard - A citizen science opportunity

• Many UF/IFAS Extension offices branch out with options to commemorate National Arbor Day
• Want to grow your own vegetable garden? New UF/IFAS guide helps estimate costs, savings
• UF/IFAS Study: Does paternal health status in mosquitoes influence maternal offspring results?
• Cultivating better Florida mangoes - UF/IFAS scientists sequence DNA to support, grow a domestic industry
• Should your passion for pumpkins include the calabaza? UF/IFAS scientists laying the groundwork for chefs, growers, consumers
• Zika-infected mosquitoes harboring insecticide-resistance, UF/IFAS study shows
• UF/IFAS Florida Sea Grant survey seeks public input on existing Florida red tide communications
• UF scientists predict potential spread of disease vector mosquito new to Florida
• Public input needed for Southeast Coral Reef Ecosystem Conservation Area
• As Florida enters termite swarm season, UF/IFAS scientists tell consumers what to know

• UF/IFAS scientists provide insight on HEMP mites for growers
• UF/IFAS indigo field trials yield success as synthetic dyes lose appeal
• Barn owl conservation efforts in South Florida -- a soaring success for species, growers, environment
• Shellfish may improve water quality in north Florida estuary
• Looking to grow heart-healthy dragon fruit? UF/IFAS scientists offer latest insights on pests, beneficial insects
• Philanthropy on Gator Nation Giving Day helps South Florida’s UF graduate students
• USDA/NIFA grant looks at mitigating climate change impacts on Florida grasslands
• Can sargassum seaweed’s brown pungent properties serve as a green solution to topsoil?
• UF study on termites’ evolution tells us they are much more than wood-eating roaches
• Eco-friendly resolutions to top off your 2021 list if you live on Florida's east coast

• Top five eco-friendly resolutions for 2021 just for Southeast Florida
• Cracking the code on growing vanilla: DNA mystery uncovered by latest UF/IFAS research in South Florida
• Pondering adding passion fruit to your edible home landscape? UF/IFAS offers troubleshooting tips, tricks
• Latest non-native lizard to expand in Florida, UF/IFAS scientists warn
• Applications online to join UF/IFAS Extension Broward County Master Gardener Volunteer Program, Scholarship Program Introduced
• Florida Sea Grant leads call to action on Greater Amberjack, public input needed
• UF/IFAS Extension Farm Labor Education program goes online in English and Spanish
• Could the Miracle Fruit be for South Florida? New study uncovers data showing how bountiful it can grow in the subtropics
• Blue-green algal blooms polluting your ponds? UF/IFAS scientists empower communities with resources
• UF scientists show how long toxins produced by HABs of blue-green algae remain in the air

• Florida Sea Grant, DOH launch outreach to help dog owners protect pets from becoming a blue-green algae fatality statistic
• UF/IFAS Extension works with FDACS to help farmworkers stay safe from COVID
• UF/IFAS scientists to develop methodology for measuring crop evapotranspiration using sensors, drones, artificial intelligence
• UF/IFAS entomologists give reason to celebrate rice in Florida
• New food and resource economics researcher hopes to bring a competitive edge to growers in south Florida
• How toxic is the air from red tide today? FWC grants UF scientists $200K to develop new technology
• UF/IFAS scientists on the lookout for Nile monitors seek assistance from Boca Raton residents
• Helping Treasure Coast residents clean up their credit file, goal of UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie workshop
• UF/IFAS study finds mosquitoes bite manatees, making them vulnerable to mosquito-borne diseases
• UF/IFAS scientists to shed light on aquatic symbiosis with a squid

• UF/IFAS scientist in search of effective control of mosquito that spreads West Nile virus in south Florida
• St. Lucie atala butterfly conservation program awarded national designation
• Sea turtle nests and hurricanes, here is what UF /IFAS experts want you to know
• Celebrating avocados July 31st? UF/IFAS researchers making great strides on saving the Florida avocado industry
• FFWCC awards UF/IFAS Florida Sea Grant $92K to create communication plan alerting public of expected Florida red tide events
• With COVID case concerns in key southeast industries, Department of Health, UF/IFAS Extension amplify workplace safety outreach
• UF/IFAS scientist discovers parasite introduced by invasive pythons is threatening Florida’s native snakes
• UF/IFAS Extension Broward series promotes sustainability and community resilience through urban food production
• Summer camps canceled in Palm Beach County? 4-H Offers Camp to Go kits
• UF/IFAS scientists assess iNaturalist’s data quality of termite records

• UF/IFAS Extension Broward 4-H granted $10K from Glick Philanthropies to expand nutrition, gardening project for residents amid COVID-19
• UF/IFAS awarded $850K USDA grant to lead multistate research, study disease resistance in lettuce, boost cultivar production
• Is indoor farming a solution? UF/IFAS scientists explain
• UF/IFAS appoints interim director of Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center to support team’s urban initiatives, successes
• UF/IFAS scientists on the lookout for Argentine tegus, Nile monitors, seeking assistance from south Florida residents
• UF/IFAS scientists learn ‘threatened’ wood storks are showing flexible traits
• With Extension connections – alternative markets taking shape
• In Florida two invasive termite species are mating due to sex pheromone confusion
• 4-H hatches virtual learning ‘egg-sperience’ at Palm Beach schools
• Cafe Latino: A UF/IFAS Extension resource for Hispanics during COVID-19

• Extension dropbox, online services offer solutions to consumer concerns
• Master Gardener training cultivates new volunteers through virtual learning
• UF/IFAS Spotlights: Marjorie Moore, An Agent of Change
• Termite season is coming in Florida : Be proactive to protect your home, trees
• UF/IFAS Industrial Hemp Pilot Project Continues to Take Root, Successes in 2019 Set Course for Continued, Expanded Research in 2020
• UF/IFAS, EFNEP Build Food Security Through Education, Demonstrations, Mobile Food Pantry
• Get in Touch with Nature on April 19: Join the BioBlitz at Long Key Natural Area & Nature Center in Davie
• Looking to Become an Ambassador, Guardian of Florida’s Coastline? Florida Master Naturalist Course Ready to Take New Members
• Navigating Majors, College Choices Through Experience: UF/IFAS CALS Tools Offer Aid
• UF/IFAS Scientists Generating Recipe for Growing Vanilla in South Florida

• Researching the Next Niche Crop in South Florida: New Breeds of Pumpkins, Calabazas Making Headway
• There’s Plenty to See, Do, Learn: UF Open House on Dec. 4 Invites Community to Engage with Science
• South Florida Community, UF/IFAS TREC Celebrate 90 Years of Milestones for Agricultural Sustainability
• Florida Chapter of ISA Infuses UF/IFAS Arboriculture Research with $320K in Grants
• UF/IFAS Extension Broward Family Nutrition Program Recognized For Impact to Community’s Health by Broward County Commissioners
• Spooky Insect Facts Unveil How Cannibalism Is All About Recycling
• UF/IFAS, United States Coast Guard Take Steps to Bridging the Gap During Disaster Recovery
• Get in Touch with Nature, Work with Scientists on November 2: Bill Keith Preserve Park in Fort Lauderdale Is Where to Connect
• There’s Plenty to See, Do, Learn at Everglades Research and Education Center: Nov. 7 Open House Joins Community with Faculty, Scientists and Research
• Learn about Butterfly Gardens, Florida Friendly Landscaping™, How to Incorporate Art into Green Space At UF/IFAS Extension Art in the Garden on November 16

• UF/IFAS TREC Plant Diagnostic Clinic: Keeping Florida’s Diverse Horticulture Industry Healthy
• UF/IFAS Researchers Take Lethal Bronzing Research to the Masses
• UF/IFAS Researchers Continue Work on Saving Guacamole's Key Ingredient
• A Glimpse at Emergency Operations Center with UF/IFAS Extension Agent
• UF/IFAS TREC Celebrates 90 Years of Innovative Research for Florida Agriculture
• Considering Iguana Meat as Protein? Consider Food Safety First
• Back to School Sports Survival Tip #1: Include A Water Jug for Hydration
• Ready to Lead Haiti’s Agricultural Sector, Scholars Prepare to Head Home with UF Master’s Degrees
• Preventing Summer Slide Made Easy: How Youth Engaged in UF/IFAS 4-H Marine Science Camp
• What's the Likelihood of a 'Crawl' Situation? UF Experts Dispel Alligator Attack Misconceptions

Blog Series:

• Find Your Frugal
• Vanilla at TREC
• Hispanic Heritage