Sandra grew up in Colombia where she studied Biology at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Her graduate studies where in the Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics program at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Her research includes studies on bird ecology, ethnobotany, forest regeneration, and conservation biology. Sandra has taught at local universities and overseas and implemented informal education programs with schools and youth organizations. At the Missouri Botanical Garden she supported research conducted in Latin America and the establishment of the REU-Research Experiences for Undergraduates program. She joined the Danforth Center in 2014. Sandra enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and dancing.