Estefania Sanchez, Ecuador

I was born in 1987 in Quito-Ecuador. I lived my childhood and adolescence in Argentina, since 2001 I live in Ecuador. I am an Environmental Engineer by profession and I have a Master's degree in Conservation Biology. I like art very much (I am self-taught). Since my master's degree I have dedicated myself to research in environmental education, thanks to this I have been able to join art and science in favor of conservation and sustainable development. Today I work with my husband, who is a marine biologist, to promote the conservation of sea turtles on the Ecuadorian coast.

The Ecuadorian coast is the habitat of sea turtles, but it is also the living space of fishing communities. Women, men and sea turtles face ecosystem loss due to climate change and overexploitation. My research aims to understand the social, environmental and climatic context and interactions between sea turtles and fishing communities. It also proposes sustainable fishing practices and economic alternatives in the communities through environmental education, with the intention of involving women more actively in these processes.