Team Bio

The team includes an Executive Director (MSc Env. Management) ensuring partnerships and program sustainability, two Scientific Advisors (PhDs Ecology) supervising design and ecosystem health indicators, a Research Manager (MSc Ecology) leading data analysis and tool training, a Research Assistant ensuring data validity, and a Biodiversity Manager organizing logistics and training. Supported by 8 staff and 15 trained technicians, they ensure robust field data collection and analysis.

Maria Villalpando

Maria Villalpando earned her Bachelor of Science in Ecology, Evolution and Behavior from the University of Texas and her Master in Ecology focused on animal conservation at the University of Bern in Switzerland, investigating the distribution, population structure and modeling the occurrence and abundance of the endangered coral species, Dendrogyra cylindrus, in southeastern Dominican Republic to promote its local conservation. She has been working with the Dominican Foundation for Marine Studies (FUNDEMAR) since 2017, and serves currently as Research and Development Manager, coordinating the scientific programs of FUNDEMAR, including marine mammal, coral reef, seagrass bed and mangrove monitoring, reef restoration programs and research projects, focusing on the asexual and sexual reproduction of corals as a reef restoration strategy, having the opportunity to train and collaborate with leading scientists and professionals on the topic in the Caribbean to incorporate technology and innovations. Maria has co-authored over 10 scientific publications with FUNDEMAR, has helped redact manuals for coral assisted reproduction and ecosystem monitoring and annually publishes the coral spawning prediction calendar for the Dominican Republic.

Rita Ines Sellares Blasco

CEO of the Dominican Foundation for Marine Studies (FUNDEMAR), Master in Environmental Management (EUDE, Spain). Graduated in Marine Biology from Farleigh Dickinson University (United States) and in Marine Sciences (University of Cádiz, Spain). With over 20 years of experience in the conservation of ecosystems and marine biodiversity in the Caribbean. Under her leadership, FUNDEMAR programs have been consolidated, achieving their sustainability and scaling over time, integrating sustainable community programs with nature-based solutions, elaborating and developing projects for the conservation of marine resources in the Dominican Republic, among which are the 1st reintroduction of manatees in the country, the 1st national census of manatees using combined technology (drones and airplane), and the 1st assisted coral fertilization laboratory positioning Dominican Republic as the country with the highest production of coral recruits in the Caribbean through assisted fertilization and thanks to established international alliances (SECORE Int. Coralium, TNC). She has also contributed to science in the country through various studies, national and international training, and the publication of 23 research papers. In 2009, she created FUNDEMAR's Center for Coastal Marine Studies and in 2023 she redesigned and obtained funding for the construction of new facilities part of the country's Marine Innovation Hub. She has successfully implemented international cooperation projects (Germany, Costa Rica, Honduras, Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, Colombia, Mexico, Curaçao, United States and Bonaire), grants from the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF), United States Agency (USAID), Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), IKI, CORDAP, Ocean Kind, German Embassy, French Embassy, private donors and others.