She is a broadly trained ecologist with a strong interest in amphibian systems and freshwater habitats, and works mainly in ephemeral streams and ponds studying the impacts of environmental stressors on species interactions. Her current research at Oregon State University quantifies behavioral and physiological plasticity in larval amphibians in response to environmental stress and the indirect effects on aquatic communities. Dr. Garcia received her doctorate in 2002 under Dr. Andrew Sih at the University of Kentucky comparing trait interactions in closely related salamander species, and completed an NSF postdoctoral fellowship in 2006 with Dr. Andrew Blaustein at Oregon State University.