UB-ERI Alumni: Advancing Conservation Everywhere
Over the past 15 years, UB-ERI has been a launch-pad for conservation professionals who now spearhead habitat restoration, climate-resilience planning, community engagement, and natural-capital valuation projects across Belize and abroad. Although their job titles and destinations have changed, each alumnus carries forward the Institute’s evidence-based approach and unwavering commitment to Belize’s natural heritage. Explore their stories below to see how the skills they honed with us continue to shape healthier ecosystems and stronger communities worldwide.
Dr Leandra Cho-Ricketts
Director, Marine Science Program
Executive Director, Belize Fund
Krystalee Suazo-Castillo
Finance Officer
Giselle Borland
Project Coordinator
National Coordinator, International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)
Pia Gregoire
Administrative/Marketing Officer
Neydar Campus
Communications Assistant
Kalene Eck
Fisheries Researcher
Ocean Voices Fellow, Ocean Voices Programme
Ivanna Blanco
Marine Biologist
Salvador Mesh
Forest Researcher
Landscape Technician, Friends for Conservation and Development
Shanelly Carrillo Balan
Forest Biologist
Forest Officer, Wildlife Program, Belize Forestry Department
Kathya Castaneda-Zetina
Training and Communications Officer
Project Manager, Ministry of Finance
Delwin Guevarra
Field Assistant
GIS Technician, CZMAI
Kevin Novelo
Marine Biologist
Conservation Science Manager, TASA
Chantae Guy Thiessen
Data Intern
Dr Elma Kay
Director, Terrestrial Science Program
Managing Director, Belize Maya Forest Trust
Nicole Weatherburne
Database Manager
Software Engineer, Dozuki
Ivanna Waight-Cho
Monitoring Officer
Terrestrial Biodiversity Officer, WWF
Denver Cayetano
Forest Biologist
PhD Student, University of Florida
Denham Chuc
Project Coordinator
Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
Rosalia Dominguez
Wildlife Biologist
MSc student, National Central University Taiwan
Calvin Gonzalez
Field Assistant
Michael Brakeman
Field Assistant
Conservation Ranger, WCS
Alexander Navarro
Field Technician
Scuba Instructor, Blue Ventures
Arturo Ramos
Field Operations Manager
Christopher Estrada
Field Assistant
Jonathan Fajans
Dive Safety Officer
Tysha Daniels
UB Information Technology Intern
Ian Sangster
Finance Officer
Gabriela Ugarte
Coastal Resilience Research Assistant
Monitoring & Evaluation Officer, Belize Fund
Bart Harmsen
Research Fellow
Consultant, UNDP
Celso Cawich
Marine Biologist
Ki'ila Salas
Forestry Specialist
Technical Consultant, BelNaRM Strategies
Said Gutierrez
Wildlife Biologist
Protected Areas Program Director, Ya'axché Conservation Trust
German Lopez
Darwin Botanist
Forestry Officer, Belize Forest Department
Anwar Wade
Researcher
Yahaira Urbina
Wildlife Specialist
Maya Forest Corridor Site Manager, WCS
Dwayne Rodriguez
BFSF Project Manager
Invasive Alien Species Management Coordinator, Bahamas National Trust
Victor Alamina
Marine Field Technician
Assistant Fisheries Officer, Belize Fisheries Department
Giada Lovell
Marine Biology Data Intern
Dylana Nicholas
MPhil Student
Marine Biologist, Belize Fisheries Department
Julissa Lopez
Administrative Assistant
Dr Arlenie Rogers
Marine Research Fellow
Assistant Professor, University of Belize
Jane Salazar Mcloughlin
Marine Biologist
Ocean Project Manager, The Nature Conservancy
Bianca Chan
Coastal Resilience Research Assistant
Outreach Coordinator, Ecomar
Felix Bruckmaier
Ecosystem Service Modeler
Amelia Bo
Project Assistant
Gliselle Marin
Maya Forest Corridor Officer
PhD Student, York University
Marvin Vasquez
Field Assistant
Operations Director, Ya'axché Conservation Trust
Anna Weiss
Climate Resilience Fellow
Director, Green Galveston, Vision Galveston
Camilo Chirino
Database Administrator
Alexander Torres
UB Student Volunteer
Jeissen Mattu
UB Student Volunteer
Conservation Science Officer, Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association
Alumni Stories on Camera
Coming Soon: you’ll find a series of short video conversations with former UB‑ERI team member, scientists, GIS whizzes, community educators, field technicians, sharing how their time here shaped the missions they pursue today.