EL SALVADOR

• Ocean Acidification.
• Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and Marine Biotoxins.
• Microplastic contamination.
• Eutrophication.
• Blue Carbon.

Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of El Salvador.

Component: Blue Carbon

Role in the Project:  Researcher in sediment radiogeochronology using Lead-210     

Contact info: josuejh2204@gmail.com / +503 7933-6943

Physics graduate with experience in sediment geochronology. He completed his social service at the Marine Toxins Laboratory (LABTOX-UES), where he participated in sediment dating activities using radionuclides. He was part of the high-achieving students program, contributing to the dating of sediment cores under the regional project RLA7025, promoted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). He received specialized training in the Lead-210 technique during a stay at the IAEA Marine Laboratory in Monaco, strengthening his skills in alpha spectrometry and sedimentation rate analysis. He is currently a researcher at LABTOX-UES, collaborating in the area of sediment radiogeochronology within the national project ELS7011. His work focuses on the application of nuclear methods for the historical reconstruction of aquatic ecosystems, with emphasis on the study of blue carbon accumulation rates and the assessment of environmental impacts in coastal areas.

Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of El Salvador.

Component: Blue Carbon

Role in the Project:  Researcher focused on Blue Carbon quantification

Contact info: la17024@ues.edu.sv / +503 70656402

Researcher focused on blue carbon quantification, with experience in determining organic carbon in sediments through elemental analysis. He has received technical training at the Marine Environment Laboratory in Monaco and has participated in virtual trainings offered by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), including the Virtual Regional Training Course on the Interpretation of NO₃ Isotope Data and Mapping of Pollution Sources. He is currently conducting applied research on the dynamics of blue carbon in mangrove sediments in Bahía de Jiquilisco, El Salvador, using standardized methodologies. Additionally, he performs chlorophyll-a studies in marine and freshwater bodies using the Lorenzen method. These activities are carried out at the Marine Toxins Laboratory of the University of El Salvador, within national and international projects aimed at the conservation of aquatic ecosystems and the monitoring of environmental quality.

Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of El Salvador.

Component: Eutrofización

Role in the Project: Eutrophication Participant

Contact info: pg19001@ues.edu.sv / +503 7522 0154

Specialist in water resources, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and remote sensing, with extensive experience in digital cartography for spatial analysis and environmental monitoring. She is currently a researcher at LABTOX-UES, participating in projects related to remote sensing and water body analysis. She has worked on thematic cartography for lakes, mangroves, and coastal areas, as well as environmental impact studies and soil characterization. Her experience also includes lithological analysis and field data collection. Additionally, she has served as an assistant in geology, hydrogeology, and geomorphology courses, integrating academic research with fieldwork. She is proficient in tools such as QGIS, ArcGIS, SNAP, and SINAPP, and has skills in data analysis, technical writing, and visual communication. She maintains ongoing training in GIS, remote sensing, and leadership.

Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of El Salvador.

Component: Ocean Acidification and Eutrophication

Role in the Project: Component Lead (both cases)

Contact info: alma.aguilar@ues.edu.sv / +503 68334915

Chemistry professor and researcher at LABTOX in the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at the University of El Salvador. She holds a Master’s degree in Marine Sciences and Limnology from UNAM, and a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Sciences from UES. She is responsible for the chemical analyses carried out at LABTOX-UES related to ocean acidification (pH and alkalinity) and eutrophication (nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus). Additionally, she conducts microcystin analysis and supports saxitoxin testing. She led the reporting of SDG Indicator 14.3.1, which was submitted for the first time in El Salvador’s history in February 2025, placing the country among the first in Central America to officially contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water.

Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of El Salvador.

Component: Microplastic

Role in the Project: Microplastics Representative

Contact info: aa14021@ues.edu.sv / +503 7630 1674

Biologist graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, with training and experience in environmental research focused on microplastic pollution. She has participated in monitoring campaigns to determine microplastic abundance in beach sand and surface waters, including a pioneering study in El Salvador that used optical microscopy to analyze this emerging issue.

She received specialized training in monitoring microplastics in marine ecosystems using nuclear analytical techniques, as well as education in Microplastic Radioecology. Her skills have been strengthened through courses on spectroscopic analysis with Open Specy and the use of R programming language for environmental data management, visualization, and analysis. She worked as a research assistant at the Marine Toxins Laboratory (LABTOX-UES), an experience that enriched her perspective on emerging contaminants and their impact on environmental health. Currently, she is about to begin her research internship to complete her degree, focused on quantifying microplastics on beaches and coastal waters of El Salvador. Her work aims to generate knowledge that contributes to the proper management of this form of pollution in the country.

Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of El Salvador.

Component: HABs Representative

Role in the Project: HABs Representative

Contact info: pp16012@ues.edu.sv / +503 6018-0890

Biologist with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and experience in environmental monitoring. As a research assistant, she has participated in monitoring campaigns and is part of El Salvador’s Permanent Red Tide Monitoring Program, contributing to the collection of phytoplankton samples and data analysis on harmful algal blooms. She also participates in the HAEDAT course for managing databases on Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) events, strengthening her skills in the systematic recording of these phenomena.

She holds a certification accredited by IOC/UNESCO for identifying harmful marine microalgae species and a diploma from the freshwater phytoplankton identification course, which has enhanced her taxonomic training. Additionally, she has a diploma in statistical analysis using R for phytoplankton studies and experience quantifying biovolume with this software.

She is currently developing her thesis focused on quantifying and identifying morpho-functional groups of phytoplankton in relation to the salinity gradient in an estuary, integrating knowledge of ecology, oceanography, and laboratory techniques.

Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of El Salvador.

Component: Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)

Role in the Project: HABs Representative

Contact info: ana.salinas@ues.edu.sv / +503 76171768

Biologist with a degree in Biology from the University of El Salvador, with experience in university teaching, marine research, and fisheries monitoring. She has served as a lecturer at the School of Biology, teaching courses such as Aquaculture and Seminar on Environmental Education and Climate Change, among others.

She worked as a phytoplankton analyst at the Marine Toxins Laboratory (LABTOX-UES), contributing to the monitoring of harmful microalgae in marine and freshwater ecosystems.

Her professional experience includes working as a field fisheries technician for the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC), conducting inspections of large pelagic species—especially sharks—aboard artisanal fishing vessels along the Salvadoran coast. She also collaborated with CENDEPESCA in the supervision of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) and fisheries inspections in the Jaltepeque Estuary area.

Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of El Salvador.

Component: Researcher for the Phytoplankton Component

Role in the Project: Researcher.

Contact info: jennifer.guerra@ues.edu.sv / +503 70293460

Researcher with experience in the analysis of marine and freshwater phytoplankton, with over 10 years of experience in the field. She is currently part of the team at the Marine Toxins Laboratory (LABTOX-UES), where she participates in monitoring activities both in the coastal zone and in the main water bodies of the country.

Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of El Salvador.

Component: Communication

Role in the Project: Communication Focal Point

Contact info: humberto.barahona@ues.edu.sv / +503 76493164

Graduate in Journalism with five years of experience in institutional communication. He currently serves as Coordinator of the Communications Unit at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and is the communication focal point for El Salvador in projects RLA7028 and RLA7026, the latter with El Salvador as the host country. He has extensive experience in multimedia production, photography, voice-over, and audiovisual editing, specializing in live broadcasts. Additionally, he has actively participated in the research components of both projects by accompanying field trips, which has allowed him to gain direct experience in applied research.