Alma Paola Rodríguez Troncoso

I am a marine biology researcher and professor at the University of Guadalajara and a member of the National Researchers System. My research work is focused on the monitoring program of the Coral Communities of the Central Mexican Pacific (CMP) in order to evaluate the effect of ENSO events and climate change on growth, reproduction and physiology of the coral communities at the CMP. During the last seven years, I have lead in collaboration with Dr. Amílcar Cupul the Coral Restoration Program, partially funded by the National Geographic Society and implemented in cooperation with governmental agencies, such as the Secretaría del Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (SEMARNAT) and the Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas (CONANP). To date we have restored both Natural Protected Areas and sites with a high level of urbanization. I have further engaged with National Geographic by participating in the National Geographic Explorers Festival in Washington D.C. and in Mexico City. I had collaborate also with the National Geographic Student Expedition in Belize and worked in the National Geographic Learning program. I really hope to become an inspiration for young students considering a career in the sciences.

November 2020