Since her arrival in the Galapagos Islands in the 1990s, Nathalia has been captivated by their exceptional beauty and biodiversity. After completing her studies in Biological Sciences at the Central University of Ecuador, she collaborated with the Charles Darwin Foundation (FCD) as a research assistant from 2007 to 2013. Her experience in Services Quality in Tata Consultancy Services. Passionate about the sea, Nathalia took up diving, joining the Submarine Ecological Monitoring team, thereby strengthening her knowledge and skills in biodiversity. She is well acquainted with the submarine environments of the islands, reinforcing her commitment to this geographic point.  Her knowledge in taxonomy and ecology led her to the team of Natural History Collections as a Taxonomy Assistant since April 2021. She is currently involved in the Deep Water Systems project, focused on integrating information and documenting the marine biodiversity of the last 25 years of institutional research.

Daniela is a multimedia communications professional with 10 years of experience in both the nonprofit and private sectors, specializing in leading communication strategies, social marketing, and fundraising initiatives. Throughout her career, she has been involved in projects related to human rights, environment, sustainability, gender, inclusion, and international cooperation, always with a people-centered approach focused on generating positive impact.

Simon joined the CDF in early 2024 as Junior Spatial Ecologist for the Habla Tiburón project. His journey to this dream job in Galápagos began years ago, starting during his time as a scuba divemaster in Indonesia. During his undergraduate studies in Western Australia, Simon volunteered analysing videos of Galápagos reef fish communities. This experience led to his Master’s degree in Environmental Science from Curtin University, focusing on the functional diversity of reef fish assemblages in Galápagos. His research resulted in two published studies contributing to the knowledge of reef fish ecology in the archipelago. He also collaborated on larger studies of reef fish biogeography and the impacts of the 2015-2016 ‘Godzilla’ El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
Simon’s ecological expertise is complemented by his work at the Fisheries Department in Western Australia, where he monitored blue swimmer crab populations and contributed to stock sustainability reports. Simon also participated in a Fisheries Research Development Council project assessing mud crab population in Australia’s Kimberley region and the feasibility of developing Indigenous mud crab fisheries. Simon’s professional pursuits are driven by his passion for the marine world, which remains his “happy place” during his free time.

Dolma is a web developer with a unique blend of technical and artistic expertise, her background spanning mathematics, computer science, and fine arts. She joined the Charles Darwin Foundation in 2008 and has since contributed as a volunteer, consultant, and staff member. Her primary focus has been developing web applications for the scientific information portal  "dataZone".
Dolma is passionate about leveraging new technologies to improve dataZone and make it a powerful open science resource. She stays updated on the latest advancements and is a lifelong learner. As an artist, she actively explores AI-assisted art and finds inspiration in the parallels between the Web3 and Open Science movements. Dolma is thrilled to be part of the ongoing cultural-technological revolution and aims to integrate her diverse interests and expertise into her daily work.

Maria joined the Charles Darwin Foundation in September 2024, bringing her extensive experience in bird conservation. Originally from Spain, she has worked for over six years on international projects in Spain, Colombia, France, French Polynesia and Costa Rica.
With a degree in Environmental Sciences from the University of Valencia and a master's degree in Ecology and Biodiversity Management from the University of Montpellier, Maria has specialized in the protection of endemic and threatened birds in Pacific island ecosystems. She has led projects to preserve critically endangered species, highlighting her work in managing a population of only four breeding pairs, where she identified avian malaria as a new critical threat and initiated a captive breeding project.
Her ability to work with international teams and collaborate with local communities has been key to the success of her initiatives. As the coordinator of the Mangrove Finch recovery project, her goal is to apply effective management strategies and research to improve the conservation status of this species and contribute to the Foundation's success in preserving biodiversity.

With over eighteen years of experience as a software developer and a degree in Computer Engineering, as well as a Master's in Systems Management, Mauro has held prominent roles as the head of the development area in public entities. His career has focused on creating high-performance solutions, specializing in the design and implementation of robust and efficient software architectures. He has led teams in the successful delivery of projects that have transformed the operations and services of various organizations, standing out for his commitment to technical excellence and continuous innovation in software development.
In addition to his professional background, Mauro has a passion for the piano and mathematics, interests that enrich his analytical approach and his ability to solve complex problems. He joined the Charles Darwin Foundation on August 1, 2024, bringing his experience and knowledge to contribute to technological advancement and process optimization.

Elena is a distinguished professional in the field of Accounting and Finance, currently serving as Accounting Supervisor at the Charles Darwin Foundation. With over 10 years of experience in the industry, she has built a solid career across both the private and public sectors.
A graduate in Commercial Engineering from the International University of Quito, Elena is a member of the Otavalo indigenous community. She has worked in various roles, ranging from independent accountant to administrator, collaborating with organizations such as the Franciscan Mission and Radio Santa Cruz. In the public sector, she has held significant positions as an accounting assistant and financial analyst at the Galápagos National Park.
Her professional focus is centered on contributing her expertise and knowledge to the growth and success of the Charles Darwin Foundation, while also inspiring those around her to continue learning and developing in their respective fields.
Outside of her professional life, she is passionate about sports and strongly believes in discipline as the key to achieving goals and overcoming challenges. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality moments with her family, always seeking a balance between her professional and personal life.