Susana Caballero, Ph. D.

Associate Professor, Biological Sciences Department · Universidad de los Andes · company speakers →

Susana is a biologist and microbiologist from Colombia, with a Ph. D. in Ecology and Evolution from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. Her research has been focused on conservation genetics of aquatic mammals, including endangered river dolphins, Amazonian and Antillean manatees, and humpback whales among others. She is an Associate Professor at Universidad de los Andes in Bogota, Colombia, where she leads a research group on molecular ecology of vertebrates. She has been a member of the SMM since 2001, and a recipient of the F. G. Wood Memorial Scholarship Awards of the Society in 2007. Developing a scientific career in Colombia, the second most biodiverse country in the world, means the opportunity of working with understudied species in some remote and magical areas. It has also means working under many challenging conditions, from safety problems, to discrimination and scarce funding opportunities. This talk will present information on how genetics and genomics of aquatic mammal species has deepened our understanding into their diversity and adaptation to diverse environments. But genes and genomics and science without people can do little to protect our natural world. Her talk will also showcase examples on how to include local communities and tourists in our scientific quest to better understand and protect natural ecosystems around the world.

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