About me
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I am a cartographer, biologist, and translator. I hold a degree in biology with a specialization in botany from the University of Panama. I have worked for three decades with various ecological and development groups on issues at the local, national, and international levels. I work with Almanaque Azul, a collective dedicated to research and education to protect Panama’s cultural and natural diversity. I served for two decades as a radio operator on board Greenpeace ships on expeditions and campaigns around the globe. As part of my work with Almanaque Azul, I have focused on digital and printed cartography, and the analysis and generation of data using geographic information systems and participatory mapping processes in rural communities. I also teach map-making, have taught courses for activists in urban and rural settings, and am preparing an online course.
Selected Skills
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Geographic information systems: static cartography, full-stack development of dynamic maps, management of geographic data servers, field data collection, data research, training and management of research teams, participatory mapping workshops.
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IT systems administration: network infrastructure management in difficult environments.
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Programming: Python, JavaScript, Node.js, PHP.
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Database design and management: MySQL, SQL Server, PostgreSQL.
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Website and server management: Apache, Nginx; static sites, WordPress, MediaWiki, and more.
Languages
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Spanish (native language)
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English (excellent)
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French (basic)
Formal Education
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2000: University of Panama, Bachelor's degree in Biology with specialization in Botany
Seminars, Publications, and Exhibitions
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2024: “Discovering and explaining ecological connectivity”, talk in the 44° conference of the North American Cartographic Information Society (Nacis), Tacoma, Washington, USA
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2024: “Centroamérica se mueve”, map published in the VII edition of the Atlas of Design (Nacis, 2024), with Gabriela Fenner.
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2024: Conference presentation: “Central America in Motion: The Making of a Critical and Experimental Map”, at the University Seminar on Internal Displacement Studies (SUDIMER), UNAM, Mexico City, with Gabriela Fenner.
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2024: Panelist on “Perspectives of Decolonization in Practice”, Tech Camp, Greenpeace International, with Mads Flarup Christensen, Cara Flores, Ilona Zhuravleva, and Victorine Che Thoener.
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2024: Conference “Practical Decolonial Mapping: Principles and Techniques” for Greenpeace International's Global Mapping Hub, including a written guide with tutorials.
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2024: Museum of Modern Art of Medellín, “Panama and Colombia from the Pacific” map for the “Desafiar” exhibition, 2x2 m digital print.
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2023: 9th International Congress on Critical Geographies, Mexico City, presentation “Maps of Ecological Connectivity in Support of Struggles” and workshop on critical cartography.
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2023: Cartography for interactive exhibit in a permanent exhibition on the struggle for control of the Panama Canal, Interoceanic Canal Museum, Panama City (with Animal).
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2023: Conference, “A map of ecological connectivity for Panama”, in the Second international research seminar: global societies and sustainable development, University of Guanajuato (México), Campus Celaya-Salvatierra
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2023: Chapter, “Mapeo”, for the book “Evaluating Participatory Mapping Software”, Burnett, C. M. (Ed.), Springer, with Aliya Ryan and José María León Villalobos. doi:10.1007/978-3-031-19594-5_3
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2018-2023: Contributor to the Revista de la Universidad de México: articles, interviews, maps, infographics, and a special issue on maps.
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2022: III International Workshop on Cartographic Creation, Medellín, Colombia
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2022: “Essential Foods of Mexican Cultures”, map for the Museo del Maíz, Los Pinos Cultural Complex, Mexico City; for Cencalli, the house of corn and food culture/Secretaría de Cultura (with illustrator Kitzia Sámano). 4.4 x 3.3 m map on agricultural production. Unpublished.
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2021: International Foss4G conference, “The People’s Forests” presentation on the Cartography of the People’s Forests project, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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2021: Participatory Mapping and Environmental Monitoring Forum, Achiote, Panama.
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2020: North American Cartographic Information Society annual conference
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2020: Indigenous Mapping Workshop 2020
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2018: II International Workshop on Cartographic Creation, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
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2018: NASA/ARSET Land Cover Change Detection Seminar with Satellite Images (Change Detection for Land Cover Mapping, NASA Applied Remote Sensing Training Program)
Selected Work Experience
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1992-present: English-Spanish translator and interpreter, specializing in scientific and technical documents and conferences.
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2022-2024: Cartographer and developer, creation of the “Natural Corridors Map of Panama”, Almanaque Azul Foundation, with Michelle Szejner. An independent science project creating an ecological connectivity map for education and community organizations. Data collection and processing, ecological connectivity modeling with Omniscape, digital map creation with OpenLayers, poster design (with Marilaura Cajar).
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2023-2024: Cartographer and editor, “Peaceful Coexistence and Social Cohesion for Local Development in Host Communities” project, Almanaque Azul Foundation and GeoIndigena, funded by USAID/UNDP/Infosegura. This project was conducted in the communities of Canaan and Bajo Chiquito in the Emberá Wounaan Comarca, analyzing challenges and opportunities in these communities due to the arrival of migrants crossing the Colombia-Panama border. Field visits and workshops, migrant population survey design for field application, humanitarian worker interview design, data processing with artificial intelligence, cartography, and preparation and editing of documents and publications.
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2001-2022: Crew Member - Radio Operator, Ships Unit, Greenpeace International, Amsterdam. IT system administration and communications equipment maintenance on Greenpeace vessels during global expeditions, including: remote and local data storage servers administration, mail servers, web servers, security systems, and more; navigation systems development and monitoring (Python, Javascript); logistics; maintenance and repair of scientific, communication, and navigation equipment, among other duties.
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2017-2021: Cartographer, “People’s Forests” project, Almanaque Azul Foundation, funded by GEF/UNDP/Miambiente. Field methodology design; local technical team training in rural Ngäbe, Emberá, and campesino communities; field trips for training and data collection; collaboration with teams and experts throughout Panama; geospatial data analysis of satellite and vector tree cover data; final map design; management and collaboration in editing final printed products for local communities.
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2009-2017: Editor, “Almanaque Azul Panama” travel guide, first and second editions. Managed an editorial team through two 4-year projects; requested, collected, and edited contributions from over 100 authors, photographers, and illustrators; designed and produced maps, managed large amounts of written, photographic, and cartographic material; edited printed and digital versions of the travel guide; managed and executed a crowdfunding campaign; assisted in marketing and distribution.
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2017-2018: “Geoactivism”, GIS training sessions for NGOs and Panamanian social organizations.
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2007-2013: Biannual “Almanaque Azul Expeditions” with over 100 volunteers each, trained in research, writing, and photography techniques, oriented toward expeditions across Panama to gather material for the travel guide.
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2005-present: Cartographer, designer, editor, webmaster, project director, president, Almanaque Azul Foundation, Panama City.
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1996-2008: Conference interpreter, English-Spanish. Allied Conference, S.A., Panama City.
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1996: Researcher and research assistant, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Barro Colorado Island, Panama Canal.