(She/Her/Ella)
Prof. Echeverri is an interdisciplinary conservation scientist whose research explores human–wildlife interactions, cultural values of nature, and the impacts of people on biodiversity. Her current work examines biodiversity, tourism, and cultural diversity in Latin America, while also advising governments on environmental policy. She is a National Geographic Explorer, a CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholar, a Stanford Rising Environmental Leader, a UCLA Pritzker Emerging Environmental Genius Award Nominee, and former youth representative to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.
Postdoctoral Scholar
(He/Him)
PhD Candidate
(She/Her)
I am a scholar practitioner with 12 years of experience in biodiversity research and conservation. I am currently doing interdisciplinary research focusing on Indigenous- and community-led forest governance through Social Forestry policy to produce evidence for an equitable landscape approach. I aspire to work on the intersection of nature conservation and rural development in Southeast Asia, bridging science and policy through rigorous knowledge production and equitable partnership.
My past and recent research publications can be found here.
Why do I only have one name?
PhD Student
(She/Her/Ella)
I am a Galapagueña conservation scientist, researcher, and PhD student in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management at UC Berkeley interested in how people and wildlife can flourish together in shared landscapes.
My work focuses on the ecological and social dimensions of conservation, particularly human–wildlife coexistence, biocultural conservation, movement ecology, and community-based conservation in the Galápagos Islands.
I have worked on projects spanning GIS and spatial analysis, giant tortoise conservation, seabird ecology, invasive species research and management, participatory mapping, environmental governance, and protected area management. Across these efforts, a question that continues to guide my work is: how can conservation be more effective, more inclusive, and more meaningful for both people and the species we are trying to protect?
Growing up in the Galápagos gave me a unique perspective on both the opportunities and challenges of conservation in inhabited landscapes.
Lab Assistant
(She/Her)
PhD Candidate
(She/They)
Mel is a PhD candidate at the University of California, Berkeley in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management focused on the remote sensing of biodiversity and ecosystem function in wetlands. She currently studies the impacts of carbon sequestration focused wetland restoration on other aspects of the wetland health and function. Using field surveys, drone flights, audio recordings, and satellite imagery, they investigate avian biodiversity, environmental heterogeneity, succession, and productivity in the Sacramento San Joaquin Delta. She is passionate about creating inclusive and safe teaching and fieldwork experiences for undergraduates and professional scientists.
Postdoctoral Scholar (She/Her/Ella)
Dr. Bonaparte is an Argentine biological scientist and researcher specializing in the ecology and conservation of birds in the Atlantic Forest. She holds a postdoctoral position at the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) in Argentina and is affiliated with the Federal University for Latin American Integration (UNILA). She’s co-supervised by Dr. Kristina Cockle, and Prof. Echeverri.
Undergraduate Researcher
(She/Her)
Casey Chang is an undergraduate researcher in the Echeverri lab. She is a senior double-majoring in environmental science and political science with an expected graduation in December 2026. Her field experience primarily consists of plants and animals in the Bay Area, including bird banding, pitfall trapping, and removal of invasive species. Currently, she studies the intersection between animal cognition and public perception. More broadly, she is interested in conservation biology, science education, and climate policy.
Visiting Scholar 2025
Minyu Dou is a PhD student at Peking University with a background in forestry. She earned her BSc in Agriculture from Beijing Forestry University in 2021 and is pursuing doctoral research on forest restoration under the supervision of Prof. Fangyuan Hua. As a visiting scholar in the Echeverri Lab in 2025, she worked on policy mixes for the forest sector in China.
Research Assistant
2023-2025
Bryam is a Colombian ornithologist interested in biocultural diversity, biocultural conservation and ethnobiology. He led the Mateus-Aguilar, Diaz Salazar, et al. (2025) article published in Ecological Indicators. He has a BSc in Biology from Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia. Mentored by Prof. Daniel Cadena.
Research Assistant
2023-2025
Andres Felipe is a wildlife biologist currently working as an environmental consultant for Terrasos, Colombia. He co-led the Mateus-Aguilar, Diaz Salazar (2025) article published in Ecological Indicators. He has BSc and MSc degrees in Biology from Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia. Mentored by Prof. Daniel Cadena.
Echeverri Lab: Conserving Wildlife and Human Cultures
Mulford Hall #130
Berkeley, CA, 94709
