Grizelle started working at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service, International Institute of Tropical Forestry (the Institute) in 2000.  At the Institute, she has served in roles as a Postdoctoral Scientist, Research Ecologist, Director of the Sabana Field Research Station, Research & Development Project Leader, Assistant Director for Research and currently serving as Institute Director (since 2022). 

She has helped guide the science, administration and communication of research related to Tropical Forests and Grasslands currently occurring in over 10 countries, and in collaboration with more than 45 Institutions and 150 scientists.  She represents the Institute in interactions with the Regions, Stations, and external partners, helping to shape the research agenda, budgetary decisions, safety procedures, communicating results to partners and the public and contributing to the coordination of national and international research efforts.  

Dr. González is member of the editorial boards of the Caribbean Journal of Science, the Caribbean Naturalist, Forests, and Frontiers in Forests and Global Change (section Forest Disturbance).  She has authored over 170 scientific publications and served as editor of special synthesis volumes on diverse topics such as earthworms of Latin America (Caribbean Journal of Science 42; 2006), ecological gradient analyses in a tropical landscape (Ecological Bulletins 54; 2013), tropical forest responses to a simulated hurricane experiment (Forest Ecology and Management 332; 2014), tropical forest responses to large-scale experiments (Bioscience 65; 2015), network collaborations on forest dynamics and regional forestry initiatives of the Caribbean Foresters (Caribbean Naturalist No. 1; 2016), and Tropical Forest Ecology and Management for the Anthropocene (Forests 2019). 

Grizelle is a supporter of arts and science collaborations, and believes science is central for the sustainable development, and resiliency of tropical America.  She became a certified forest therapist in August 2020.  

Dr. González holds a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado-Boulder in Biological Sciences; a M.Sc. Degree in Biology; and a B.Sc. in Biology from the University of Puerto Rico.