Juan Darío Restrepo A., PhD
Project Director
Leader of Basin Hydrology Component

Juan Darío Restrepo is a marine biologist and holds a PhD in Oceanography from the Marine Science Program at University of South Carolina. Since the nineties, Prof. Restrepo has been studying the mechanisms of sediment transport from rivers of the Colombian Caribbean and Pacific, along with the dynamic processes which occur in the country´s principal deltas. His research has focused on improving the understanding of the natural and anthropogenic causes affecting erosion rates and sediment transport from the largest fluvial system of Colombia, the Magdalena River. Works in the project as scientific director and scientist on modeling trends of fluvial inputs in the Cartagena Bay from the Dique canal. (CV Link)

Marko Tosic, PhD
Project Manager
Leader of Coastal Hydrology Component

Environmental scientist with a Doctorate in Marine & Coastal Management (Erasmus Mundus: University of Cadiz, Spain & University of Algarve, Portugal) and a Masters in Bioresource Engineering (McGill University, Canada/Barbados). Specialist in water resources and anthropogenic impacts on aquatic environments. Works in BASIC as project manager and leader of the component of coastal hydrology and early-warning systems, researching the dispersion processes of freshwater and pollution in Cartagena Bay. (CV Link)

Juan Camilo Cárdenas Campo, PhD
Leader of Socio-economic Component

Professor at the Universidad of Los Andes (Colombia) since 2004. Ph.D. in Resource Economics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His research is supported by economic experiments, surveys and workshops, to understand human processes that allow the construction of just, sustainable and efficient collective institutions, in particular for the natural environments of society. He has been a visiting professor at the Universities of Massachusetts Amherst, Harvard, and International Fellow at the Santa Fe Institute. (CV Link)

Susana Caballero, PhD
Leader of Fish Ecotoxicology Component

Associate Professor of the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Los Andes, where she directs the research group of the “Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Aquatic Vertebrates”. Biologist and microbiologist of the University of Los Andes with a doctorate in Ecology and Evolution from the University of Auckland (New Zealand). Her research experience is principally in genetics for conservation and has mainly worked with aquatic mammals, especially marine and freshwater dolphins and fish. (CV Link)

Doris Esther Gómez Camargo, PhD
Leader of Public Health Component

Bacteriologist from Universidad Metropolitana, with a Master in Clinical Microbiology from Universidad Javeriana, specialty in Medical Education, Doctorate in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from Universidad de Alcalá de Henares (Spain). She currently works as the Head of the Tropical Medicine Doctorate Program, ascribed at the University of Cartagena-SUE Caribe; and the Research group UNIMOL, classified as A1 by the National Administrative Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (COLCIENCIAS). Her fields of research are: Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Genetics, Infectious Diseases, Tropical Medicine, Microbiology, Public Health, Medical Education. In the project BASIC, she is the coordinator responsible for the health component: Water relationship with the health of people from de peninsula.

Ana Milena Ordosgoitia Méndez
Community Activity Coordinator

Ana Milena Ordosgoitia Méndez studied law at the Colegio Mayor de Nuestra Señora del Rosario, with a specialty in legal administration from the Pontificial University Javeriana, and a diploma in the Integrated Management of NGO´s. Since 2006, she has worked as Executive Director of the Hernán Echavarría Olózaga Foundation, a non-profit organization with the mission to support and promote programs and projects for the social development of the communities of Barú island. She works in the project as coordinator of community activities. (CV Link)

Benjamín di Filippo Velenzuela, MEM
Environmental Authority Representative

Chemical Engineer (University of Atlántico) with a Masters in Environmental Management (University Javeriana) and Specialty in Sanitation and Environmental Engineering (University of Cartagena). Has experience in corporate environmental management, control and treatment of waste water, water quality analysis, drinking water treatment and cleaner production. Participates in the project as representative of the study area’s Environmental Authority.

Giovanni Andrés Ulloa Delgado, MSc
Consultant of Territorial Management Plan Component

Researcher and expert on issues of the ecological restoration of mangroves and leader in the processes of management of these ecosystems in the country, achieving the creation of the sanctuary of Flora and Fauna of the Corchal "Mono Hernández", the first DMI of the Caribbean in Cispata Bay. He has more than 20 years of experience in research and management of reptiles with an emphasis on crocodilideos in Colombia, and is recognized as a world scientific authority belonging to the Crocodile Specialist Group (CSG) of the IUCN. Works in the project’s management plan component as an expert consultant on territorial management. (CV Link)

Clara Lucia Sierra Díaz, BSc
Consultant of Marine and Coastal Management Plan Component


Biologist works in conservation of natural resources since 1994. Has experience in the validation of methodological planning tools to achieve conservation goals in coastal marine areas, Her experience includes the implementation of strategies for strengthening the capacity of participation that articulate institutions, sectors and communities in order to advance in the implementation of action plans within the framework of the management and sustainable use of natural resources. Works in the project’s management plan component as an expert consultant on marine and coastal areas. (CV Link)

Flávio Martins, PhD
Associate Researcher in Early Warning Systems


Coordinating Professor at the engineering school of University of Algarve. During the last years was Vice-director of the CIMA Research Centre and Vice-rector of the University of Algarve. He develops research in hydrodynamics, water quality and ecological modelling. He has more than 25 years of experience in research and consultant activities. Has coordinated and been involved in more than 10 international projects.

João Janeiro, PhD
Associate Researcher in Operational Oceanography


Bsc. in Oceanography in 2004 and MSc. Water and Coastal Management in 2006. Worked as a modeller in the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, and did his PhD in Marine Sciences with a specialization in Numerical Modelling for oil spill forecast. He was a graduate student in Duke University (USA) Integrated Marine Conservation Program, trainee in NOAA Coastal Services Centre and member of the modelling team of the ARGOMARINE FP7 project. Has been part of the WP8 -Societal benefits from observing/information systems - of H2020 project AtlantOS and he currently develops research work in the field of operational oceanography in the scope of projects OCASO and BASIC. (CV Link)

Serguei Lonin, PhD
Associate Researcher in Early Warning Systems

Received BSc and PhD degrees in Oceanology and Physical & Mathematical Sciences from the Russian State Hydrometeorological University, Saint Petersburg, Russia, in 1986 and 1994, respectively. He was with the State Oceanographic Institute (Odessa, former USSR) and the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences in Odessa, Ukraine, from 1988 to 1995. He is currently a Titular Professor with the "Almirante Padilla" Naval Academy for Cadets in Cartagena, Colombia. He is also the Director of the Group for Investigations in Oceanology of the Naval School, Cartagena, Colombia. (CV Link)

Jesús Pérez, MSc
Leader of Domestic Water Component


Scientist in the area of Hydraulics and Geophysics with a Master in Alternative Energy Engineering (EAFIT University, Medellin / Colombia). Specialist in Applied Hydraulics with an emphasis on drinking water projects. He works on the project in the design of the aqueduct and sewage system for the population of Barú - Cartagena.

John Bairon Ospina Hoyos, MSc
Coastal Hydrology Researcher & Field Coordinator


Trained as an Ecologist of Coastal Zones and a Master in Environmental Sciences from the University of Antioquia, he has worked as a researcher and professional in water quality projects, environmental diagnostics, preparation of academic programs in marine science and public water policy, and instructor in the field of Ecology. He currently works in BASIC as the field coordinator of the coastal hydrology and pollution component in the bay of Cartagena. (CV Link)

Andrea Luna Acosta, PhD
Post-Doctoral Researcher of Fish Ecotoxicology Component


Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Environmental and Rural Studies of the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. She carried out her studies at Universities in France, United States, Spain and Colombia. Marine Biologist (BSc, MSc and PhD from Universities in France and USA), with post-doctorates in Ecotoxicology and Tropical Ecology. Her research experience is principally based on studying impacts of human activities on marine, coastal and freshwater ecosystems, and more specifically on fluxes and effects of chemical contaminants (heavy metals, pesticides, hydrocarbons, emergent contaminants) on aquatic animals (sharks, whales, dolphins, fish and molluscs). (CV Link)

Adriana María Bernal Escobar, MSc
Research Assistant of Socio-economic Component

Biologist and economist with a Masters in Environmental Engineering (Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá). Specialist in experimental economics. Works in the project as a research assistant on the analysis of socio-economic impacts of pollution on artisanal fisheries and tourism. (CV Link)

Katia Gazabon Olivera
Psychosocial Expert

Enrique Mazenett, MPH
Public Health Expert

Dacia Malambo García, MSc
Public Health Expert

Irene Fernández Flórez, Phys. Eng.
Researcher of Relative Sea Level Component

Physical Engineer graduated from EAFIT University (Medellín, Colombia). Master's student of Earth Sciences with emphasis in Oceanography. Works in the project in order to identify the proportion of the Relative Sea Level interannual trend in Cartagena bay due to subsidence processes of diapyric and tectonic origin.

Rogger Escobar C, ME
Researcher of Basin Hydrology Component

Environmental engineer with a Masters in Water Resources Engineering. With experience in hydroclimatic variable analyses, water quality, programming, and numeric simulation of ground water. Works in the project as PhD student on the analysis of hydrological dynamics of the Dique Canal under different climate change scenarios and anthropogenic impacts. Additionally, evaluating the drinking water supply in surrounding communities.

Jose David Lopez-Rivas, PhD
Post-Doctoral Researcher of Socioeconomic Component

Environmental manager with a Master’s in Economics (Pontificia Universidad Javeriana / Universidad de Los Andes). His research interests are related to environmental and resource economics. He works in the project as a Ph.D. student on the economic valuation of marine and coastal zone ecosystem services. (CV Link)

Camilo Andrés Garzón Medina, BA(Econ)
Research Assistant of Socio-economic Component

Economist from the University of Los Andes (Bogotá, Colombia). Student of the Master’s program in Economics and Master’s program in Public Policy. Works in the project as a research assistant on the analysis of the socio-economic impact of pollution on artisanal fishing and tourism. Writing his master's thesis on results of the project. (CV Link)

Rosana Escobar
Research Assistant of Fish Ecotoxicology Component

Currently finishing undergraduate studies in Biology (Universidad de Los Andes) with a minor in biodiversity and environmental studies. Exchange student at Swinburne University, Australia (2012-2013) where she focused in environmental management and sustainable development. Participated in a project in Vietnam with engineers without borders (Swinburne University of Technology). Works in the project by focusing her undergraduate thesis on population genetics of fish species relevant to the communities in Cartagena Bay.

Laura Castillo Ardila
Research Assistant of Socio-economic Component

Anthropologist of the National University of Colombia and a student of the Master’s program in Public Policy at the University of Los Andes. Participates in the socio-economic component of the project by exploring the relationship between humans and the environment through ethnography. Also looks at ways in which state actions intervene and affect ecosystems and the everyday life of people. (CV Link)

Hans Herrera Tavera
Research Assistant of Fish Ecotoxicology Component

Currently finishing undergraduate studies in Ecology (Pontificia Universidad Javeriana) with. Works in the project by focusing his undergraduate thesis on potential impacts of chemical contaminants in fish populations relevant to the communities in Cartagena Bay.

Jorge Egurrola, Med – PhD Student

Roger Valle, MSc – PhD Student

Andrea Salazar, Med – Logistics

Gustavo Mora García, Med – PhD Student

Sirlhey Navarro Gómez, Bact. - Junior Researcher

Fabián Espitia Almeida, Qco - Junior Researcher

María Ruiz Diaz - Medical Intern

Yéssika de León - Medical Intern

Margarita Ochoa, Méd – PhD Student

Dilia Fontalvo, Méd – PhD Student