Conservation Scientist, Stanford University
Dr. Alejandra Echeverri is an interdisciplinary conservation scientist currently working as a postdoctoral scholar in the Natural Capital Project based at Stanford University, in Palo Alto, California, U.S.A.
She studies how people’s behaviors towards the landscape, such as habitat conversion, impact the species that are able to persist in such landscapes. She also studies the social and psychological perception of animals, by looking at the factors involved in people’s motivation to protect biodiversity. Her current research looks at how to integrate natural capital into Colombian and Costa Rican biodiversity policies.
Dr. Echeverri has a B.Sc. degree in biology from Universidad de Los Andes (Bogotá, Colombia), an M.Sc. in resource management and environmental studies from University of British Columbia (UBC, Canada), and a Ph.D. in resources, environment and sustainability (UBC, Canada).
She worked as a tropical ornithologist in environmental consulting firms in Colombia (Plyma S.A. and AmbientalMente). Dr. Echeverri also volunteered to do sustainable development work and peace education in Norway, Colombia, and other countries (with CISV International, the Norwegian Peace Corps, The Norwegian Youth Council, CISV Colombia).
As an advocate for the engagement of youth in environmental issues, she represents Colombian and global youth at the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. She is also a National Geographic Young Explorer, and a Stanford Rising Environmental Leader (2021).