We are thrilled to announce the four recipients of the Amphibian Survival Alliance’s (ASA) Future Leaders of Amphibian Conservation grant for Conference Attendance. These exceptional individuals will be attending the forthcoming XII Congreso Latinoamericano de Herpetología (12th Latin American Congress of Herpetology) to present their research, network with fellow conservationists, and contribute to the global dialogue on amphibian conservation.
Michelle Quiroz-Espinoza
Michelle is a graduate of the Autonomous University of Chiriquí (UNACHI) in Panama, where she majored in Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources. She began her journey in herpetology by studying the habitat preference and conservation of Atelopus glyphus in Darién, Panama. Michelle is a co-founder of La Fundación Los Naturalistas, an organization dedicated to biodiversity study and conservation. Currently, she works at UNACHI’s interdisciplinary research and innovation institute, focusing on the Limosa Harlequin Toad (Atelopus limosus) in the San Blas Mountain range.
Camila Deutsch
Camila is a biologist and a doctoral student at the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina. Her passion for nature led her to initiate the Giant of the Pampas project, focusing on the Argentine Horned Frog (Ceratophrys ornata). This project is part of COANA (Amphibian Conservation in Argentina), a broader initiative that aims to conserve amphibian species across Argentina. Camila is committed to community engagement and long-term conservation strategies.
María del Mar Moretta-Urdiales
María del Mar is an Ecuadorian ecologist and conservation scientist currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Aquatic Resources and Integrative Biology at Texas State University. She is studying the spread of diseases in amphibians living in the canopies of Ecuador’s remaining forests. María del Mar collaborates with Ecuadorian universities, NGOs, and local communities, aiming to bridge the gap between local communities, science, and conservation.
María del Carmen Vizcaíno Barba
María is an Ecuadorian biologist, educator, and conservationist with a decade of experience in environmental education. She is the driving force behind the conservation project for the Jambato Harlequin Toad (Atelopus ignescens) in Angamarca, Cotopaxi. María del Carmen has successfully forged alliances and implemented collaborative actions through Alianza Jambato, an initiative aimed at saving this emblematic species from extinction.
We are incredibly proud to support these Future Leaders in their endeavors and look forward to their contributions to amphibian conservation. Congratulations to all the recipients, and we wish you an incredible experience at the XII Congreso Latinoamericano de Herpetología.
For more updates and information, stay tuned to the ASA website.