Carmen Etcheverry

Agricultural engineer and oenologist, National Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse, France

Domaine ETXE, Francia

After specializing in agroecology, I completed my university education with a focus on collaboration and dialogue among stakeholders. My professional work at an NGO has centered on promoting greater consideration of the environment, biodiversity, and climate change in public policy, particularly in the field of agriculture.

My goals for the future are to implement all existing best practices—such as the maintenance and enhancement of ecosystem services—on our family vineyard in the south of France. The idea is to turn it into a showcase for agroecological viticultural practices that respect the natural environment and produce high-quality wines.

Teresita González

Student of Natural Resource Conservation Engineering, Universidad Austral de Chile

I had the opportunity to complete my required undergraduate internship with the VCCB program, which focused on the study and implementation of indicators for evaluating biological corridors. Conducting this assessment allowed me to delve deeper into my areas of interest and explore various approaches to biodiversity conservation.

Guillermo Alvarado Subiabre

Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Conservation, Universidad Austral de Chile

Profesional especializado en ecología de paisaje, conservación de ecosistemas y estudio de aves, con experiencia en análisis de datos ecológicos mediante herramientas estadísticas como R y Python, además de Sistemas de Información Geográfica (SIG). Posee competencias en ciencia de datos aplicada a problemáticas ambientales, integrando análisis espacial y modelación para apoyar procesos de conservación, restauración ecológica y gestión sustentable de recursos naturales.

Liemnys Vázquez Moreno

Bachelor of Science in Biology, “Marta Abreu” Central University of Las Villas, Cuba.

MSc. Ecology and Evolution, Universidad Austral de Chile.

I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolution at the Universidad Austral de Chile. My research focuses on plant biodiversity conservation, plant reproductive biology, ecosystem restoration, and fire ecology. My work is primarily conducted in sclerophyllous forests and scrublands in the Chilean Mediterranean region.

Micaela Tietzen von Harpe

Student of Ecology and Environmental Planning at Technische Universität Berlin

Dra. Toshiko Miura

Ph. D. in Environmental Sciences, YOKOMA National University, Japan

Research Institute of Environment Agriculture & Fisheries Osaka Prefecture
Research Group on Viticulture and Oenology

My work focuses on linking endemic biodiversity and ecosystem services in viticulture. Specifically, I investigate whether natural ecosystems within vineyards influence microorganism-mediated ecosystem services, such as soil formation and fertility, pest control, and—ultimately, for viticulture—the microbial terroir. Through the VCCB program, I hope that advances in our understanding of microbial ecology will provide useful information for agricultural management and conservation planning.

Daniela Tapia Navarrete
Master of Applied Ecology, Universidad Austral de Chile

Biologist from the Universidad Austral de Chile

Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity (IEB-Chile)

My research focuses primarily on ecosystem ecology and biological conservation. I am researching how the assessment of different ecosystem services provided by natural ecosystems can be linked to the development of conservation strategies that involve industry. Being part of this program has allowed me to understand the importance of working from a multidisciplinary perspective and how this has become a real opportunity for conservation in a context where the lack of public policies is evident.

Angel Salazar-Rojas
Master of Applied Ecology, Universidad Austral de Chile

Agricultural Engineer, Catholic University of Maule

Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity (IEB-Chile)

My areas of interest are agroecology and ecosystem services, focusing on the design, management, and assessment of agroecosystems to help build more equitable, just, and supportive societies. Within the framework of the VCCB Program, my focus has been on understanding how the interaction of productive, social, and environmental factors influences the performance and dynamics of fruit-growing agroecosystems, using theoretical frameworks such as systems ecology and conservation.

Enzo Silva

Undergraduate thesis student in Geography, Universidad Austral de Chile

My research focuses on studying changes in land use resulting from the expansion of viticulture in central Chile, specifically within the Colchagua Valley. My goal is to understand the consequences of this expansion on ecosystem services and how this economic activity affects the local population. Working at the VCCB helps me understand the development of the wine industry in Chile, the country’s position in national and international markets, and the need to conserve Chile’s Mediterranean landscape, as this ensures the long-term preservation of ecosystem services, biodiversity, and human settlements in the region.

Magdalena Radrigán – VCCB Communications Coordinator
Journalist, University of Santiago, Chile

Master of Arts in Strategic Communication, Adolfo Ibáñez University

MSc in International Disaster Management, University of Manchester.

I coordinate press relations, manage social media accounts, and create content. My interests focus on the study of risk communication and the social impacts of climate change.

Dr. A. Paz Durán – Postdoctoral Researcher

Ph.D. Biosciences, University of Exeter, UK.

Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity (IEB-Chile)

Universidad Austral de Chile

My research focuses on understanding how to reconcile different human activities within the landscape, with the goal of integrating biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services into socioeconomic development. To address this question, I typically use spatial modeling tools to assess synergies and trade-offs between these activities and human interests. Within this framework, I have worked on the effectiveness of protected areas, conflicts between land uses, the sustainability of production chains, and biodiversity metrics for decision-making. Given that environmental issues are multidimensional, I am particularly interested in working with multidisciplinary teams and engaging with various stakeholders to help promote evidence-based decision-making.