David Santamaria-Castiblanco

Research Interests/Current Projects:

I am a Colombian biologist and ecologist whose greatest passion lies in the conservation of biodiversity and the application of this knowledge in the development of initiatives at a social level, protection and recovery of species in tropical ecosystems, and impacts of alien species. For this purpose, I have two research interests. First, mammal population and community dynamics in natural and anthropogenic-transformed scenarios (including alien species). Secondly, the relationships between society and biodiversity and the perceptions that arise from these interactions. Currently, I am working on the social perceptions of the hippos in Colombia and the role of these animals in the Colombian freshwater ecosystems as ecosystem engineers and alien species.

Background:

During my undergrad studies, I led the Research Group on Management and Conservation of the Wildlife of the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, working on mammal ecology related to restoration processes, biology conservation courses, and dissemination of science at universities and schools. After my undergrad studies, I worked with private companies and global international foundations, like Panthera, to monitor mammals and their threats (habitat destruction, fragmentation and degradation, introduced/invasive species, and overexploitation) inside and around agricultural systems. In these jobs, I focused the research on science dissemination strategies and the development of mammal monitoring and management plans. In the same way, I worked for the Colombian government researching the introduced hippos (Hippopotamus amphibius), which gave me new research perspectives to pursue the Ph.D. program at FIU with the support of the CASE Dean’s Distinguished Doctoral Fellowship (2023).

Contact: dsant202@fiu.edu