Lecturers
LECTURERS TYPICALLY INCLUDE:
Omar López, PhD
Omar holds a PhD and an MSc in biology from the University of Utah and a BSc in botany from the University of Panama. He is the principle investigator for a nationwide inventory of alien plant species across Panama, which is a collaboration between Panama’s Ministry of the Environment and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Omar has worked throughout the United States as a guest lecturer and researcher. He also has worked in cross-cultural contexts as a researcher, advisor, and lecturer.
Juan Maté, PhD
Juan completed his doctorate in marine biology and fisheries at the University of Miami and has since been involved in research projects both independently and with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, where he is a full-time field scientist. His interactive, dynamic, and visual field-based teaching style complements his theoretic, laboratory, and field experiences.
Edgardo E. Díaz-Ferguson, PhD
Edgardo is a marine biologist and geneticist with 17 years of experience in research, education, marine resources management, and conservation. He holds a BS in zoology from the University of Panama, an MS in marine ecology from the University of Costa Rica, and a PhD in animal biology and genetics from the University of Cadiz in Spain. Edgardo has conducted four postdoctoral experiences in the United States: University of Washington, University of Florida, University of Georgia, and Auburn University. Edgardo has been certified as a Spanish-English translator and interpreter by the University of Massachusetts and has graduate studies in higher education from the Latina University. Currently, he is the executive director and scientific coordinator of Coiba Island Scientific Station, where he leads national and international projects in marine conservation, animal ecology, multiple scales of diversity, ichthyology, conservation genetics, and fisheries.
Gabriel Jácome
Gabriel is a marine biologist who specializes in mangrove and seagrass environments. For fifteen years, he worked as the deputy director of the Smithsonian Institute Bocas del Toro Caribbean field station on research and conservation projects. Currently, Gabriel is the head inspector in the environmental department of the Ministerio de Comercio e Industria for the Panamanian government.