Laura Melissa Guzman

Laura Melissa Guzman is an assistant professor of entomology at Cornell University, known for her contributions to the understanding of insect biodiversity and ecology. In a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, she co-authored research that significantly revised the estimated number of insect species on Earth, suggesting that there may be between 14 million to 20 million species, far surpassing the previous consensus of six million. Guzman's work emphasizes the importance of documenting and protecting these diverse species, many of which play critical roles in ecosystems.