Dr. Melania C. Lopez-Castro is the coordinator of the Sea Turtle Conservation Program at Pronatura Península de Yucatán, A.C. She is a Marine Biologist fascinated by sea turtles. Her research focuses on understanding the connectivity of critical habitats through the ontogenetic shifts of these species, from oceanic to coastal foraging grounds and nesting areas, using biomarkers such as trace elements and lead isotopes as well as traditional tagging methods. She received a B.S. in Marine Biology from the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, an M.S. in Marine Ecology from the Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, and a Ph.D. in Biology, from the University of Florida. She conducts a long-term monitoring program at three index nesting beaches in the Yucatán Peninsula with the help of her team. This monitoring program provides information to evaluate the conservation and recovery status of hawksbill and green sea turtles.
