Staff
Executive Director, Environmental Studies Faculty
Lorayne Meltzer
Lorayne has been active in collaborative conservation efforts in the Gulf of California for over 20 years. She coordinates the Center’s research, education and community outreach programs toward the realization of the mission and vision of Prescott College and the Kino Bay Center. Through her Marine Conservation classes, students learn firsthand about complex issues confronting marine and coastal environments.
“It is one thing to read in a book that 85% of everything caught on a shrimp trawler is discarded dead as by-catch back into the sea. It is quite a different learning experience to be sorting through the by-catch on the deck of a trawler, working along with fishermen whose livelihoods depend on destructive fisheries practices.”
Assistant Director of Operations
Gregory Smart
Greg Smart is a Seattle, Washington native with long experience in the region. He has been part of the Kino Bay Center as a student, employee, and teacher since 2006. In addition to his role as the operations manager he has worked as a naturalist, guide, sailor, and carpenter in Alaska and Washington State. Greg is in charge of day-to-day operations and logistics, maintenance, building, and oversees security procedures and emergency response. In addition he occasionally teaches courses (Typically marine conservation and cultural geography courses) and captains our boats. Greg likes to be active and find creative solutions to the myriad of complications that constantly arise in his role at the center.
“I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to work and interact with a broad array of people committed to the conservation of this beautiful region and its unique cultural and ecological qualities.”
Assistant Director for Development and Communications
Ana Gabriela Martínez
Ana is originally from Hermosillo, Sonora. She studied Biology with a specialty in Marine Ecology at the University of Sonora. After obtaining her degree, her great interest in wildlife led her to participate in population studies of different species and scientific communication. She completed her Master’s at the Research Center for Food and Development in Guaymas with a project focused on a land crab species on the island of San Pedro Nolasco, then worked as a biology teacher. Ana joined the Kino Bay Center in the summer of 2019, serving as Assistant Director for Development and Communications. She works to promote the Center’s projects and learn about the management of institutions like ours.
“I am excited to be part of an institution that works to protect and preserve the species and habitats of the Gulf of California. I have always found this place to be unique and very special.”
Administrative Assistant
Frida Yañez
My name is Frida Yañez and I am from Bahia de Kino, Sonora. I studied Tourism Business Administration at La Universidad Estatal de Sonora. I have known the Center since I was 8 years old, and since then I was very interested in learning and seeing what they do here. In 2019 I did my administrative practices in the area with my aunt Virginia (Center Administrator). After 4 years I started to support the Center’s administration department, and after 1 year I started as an official employee of the Center as an Administrative Assistant. I am very grateful for this opportunity because I love what I do.
“For me working here at the Center has been a great experience because I have learned more about conservation and its importance. I like to go out with the programs in the field because in each outing there is something new to experience and I like to photograph every moment.”
Program Assistant/Marine Mammals Program
Gabriela Salazar-Sánchez
I am originally from Mérida, Yucatán and I am very proud of my roots. Ever since I was a little girl I marveled at everything related to the ocean, and when it came time I did my thesis on analyzing relations between Bottlenose Dolphins in Laguna San Ignacio, BCS. The behavior of dolphins is something that fascinates me – how they interact with each other and the complexity of their societies is what led me to complete my Masters in Marine Ecology from CICESE, writing a thesis about the relations and movement of Bottlenose Dolphins in the Midriff Island Region of the Gulf of California.
I’ve lived in Kino Bay for 3 years, I love the desert and how it converges with the ocean. The ecological processes and behavior of animals are things that leave me with endless questions and on the constant search for answers.
Conservation Coordinator / Marine Mammals
Héctor Pérez
Originally from Mexico City, Hector has always had a passion for marine mammals. He studied Biology at the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma in Puebla, with an undergraduate thesis on Pantropical spotted dolphins. He completed his Master’s thesis in Marine Ecology at CICESE on Gray whale calf abundance.
Since 2009, he has been working in the Marine Mammal Program for the Kino Bay Center. This exciting job focuses on documenting the spatial and temporal distribution of all cetacean sightings from the Eastern Midriff Islands Region, and the application of photo-identification methods in over ten species. He teaches marine mammal classes to different audiences, and proudly represents the Center in meetings and forums.
“Working at the Center allows me to develop on a professional basis while enjoying what I like most in life, and it promotes the sense of wonder for what I see in the Gulf of California.”
Contact: [email protected]
Conservation Coordinator / Waterbird Monitoring
Jaime Martínez
He has worked in wildlife monitoring on different islands in Mexico, mainly with waterbirds and pinnipeds. His experiences of living in isolated places for long periods of time taught him how vulnerable we are to the forces of nature and how fragile ecosystems can be.
He joined the Waterbird Monitoring Program at the Kino Bay Center in 2018 and finds that working with local communities in addition to monitoring waterbirds is a great opportunity. Jaime likes hiking in nature, swimming, sailing, discovering other cultures, and sharing his own. He also likes to write stories about the natural world.
“Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be discovered.”
Head of Maintenance
Julio Carrasco
“I have learned many new things in my work here at the Kino Bay Center that I did not know before; for example, ecology and caring for the environment. Conservation is not directly part of my work, but I support it and it has been a great satisfaction to work all these years here. I’ve also made a lot of good friends.”
Boat Captain and Maintenance
Cosme Damián Becerra
Cosme grew up in Bahia de Kino. He was a fisherman for more than 15 years, but now dedicates his life to protecting endangered species and the conservation of natural areas in his community.
In 2007, he began working at the Kino Bay Center as the transportation coordinator, taking staff members, university classes, researchers, and local students on the panga to look for whales, study birds, and visit the islands of the Upper Gulf. At the Center, Cosme applies his knowledge of welding, electrical work, motor repairs, maintenance, and furniture construction to the ever-expanding Center. Cosme is the leader of the Grupo Tortuguero of Bahía de Kino and has become a role model for the Kino Bay community.
“I am not a biologist, nor did I study a specialized career, but my love of the environment prepared me in many ways and today I am an expert in the field.”
Boat Captain and Maintenance
Cosme Damián Becerra Esquer
I have 8 years of experience sailing and being involved with the fishing sector. Along the way I’ve mastered the snorkeling technique and have gained experience exporting commercial seafood from the Midriff Island Region and the east coast of the Baja Californias, obtaining great experiences and stories to tell from all those years. I look forward to continuing my adventure as I integrate with the Grupo Tortuguero from Kino Bay and work together with them towards the goal of conserving the beautiful species that is the Sea Turtle.
Administrator
Virginia Yañez
“For me working at the Kino Bay Center has been a great blessing. I like what I do, and I like to support my colleagues with their work when they need me.”
Conservation Coordinator/Wetlands Conservation Program
Grisel Heredia
Conservation Coordinator / Waterbird Monitoring
Lauren Dolinski
“I have a passion for learning new languages, cultures, and meeting new people. Coming to the Center has helped me improve my Spanish, grow as a conservationist, and allows me to study a variety of rare and incredible avian species.”
Conservation Coordinator/Media and Communication
Andrés Galindo
I’m originally from Yuma, Arizona, a small bordertown located in between Arizona and Sonora that prides itself on being the world’s sunniest city and winter lettuce capitol. Growing up in a rural area with close proximity to Mexico, I found myself spending lots of time in nature, frequently travelling across the border, and living bilingually and biculturally. These experiences, alongside a personal fascination with art, computers, and more specifically, digital art, converged into a niche which have defined my time as the Center’s Media and Communications Coordinator; one which sits at the intersections of nature and technology, people and place, art and science, and community and conservation.
I studied Media Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University, where I turned my interests into formal skills that would combine with my developing passions to prepare me for communicating the complex socioenvironmental themes of the Center’s work in both English and Spanish. Throughout my time here, I’ve been able to help give form to the Center’s communication materials by applying my graphic design, photography, writing, and web design skills to help further the reach of the Center’s biocultural conservation efforts.
Conservation Fellow/Media and Communication
Cynthia Sanchez
Cynthia grew up in a rural community in Guanajuato, Mexico, where she developed a deep love for nature and the semi-desert landscapes surrounding her community. Later, she moved to the US and studied at George Mason University in Northern Virginia, where she obtained a degree in Biology and a Minor in Conservation Studies through the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation program.
During college, she also discovered the importance of science communication, particularly using photography and filmmaking to address conservation and ecological challenges through community engagement, storytelling, and education. In the future, she hopes to continue applying her skills to develop projects that combine research and media production to inspire people to connect with nature.
“Growing up in a rural area in Mexico, where agriculture, community, and nature are so important to everyday life, shaped the way I interact with the world and set the foundations for my calling.”
Conservation Coordinator/ Environmental Education
Johana Nieblas
“I love my work and enjoy collaborating to better conservation in the community I come from. Without a doubt, environmental education is what I most enjoy in life!”
Conservation Coordinator/ Environmental Education
Edgar Magdaleno Bonilla
“Every day I am amazed by the gifts of nature in such a unique and biodiverse region, and honored to learn from those gifts with everyone in the region.”
Conservation Coordinator/ Indigenous Community Partnership
Aaron Barnett
Aaron completed his schooling through a virtual school program. An important part of his development was from workshops and presentations held in the community by visiting academics on conservation and community leadership. Now Aaron works in the Indigenous Community Partnership Program. His job is to bring the people from the Comcaac community together with people from Kino Bay Center or outside investigators, and ensure that the collaboration is equitable and mutually benefits all parties.
“I enjoy my work at the Center. I have had the opportunity for growth in my professional life during my time here.”
Conservation Fellow/ Indigenous Community Partnership
Alissa Lopez Barnett
My name is Alissa Lopez Barnett, and I’m originally from the Comcaac community. I was born and raised in my village surrounded by the desert and the ocean. Since I was little I’ve loved nature and caring for it. I first heard of the Center 15 years ago, and since then I knew it was a dream of mine to work and be part of the institution.
Beginning in 2020 I began to get involved with the Center by participating in waterbird and sea turtle monitoring sessions. Before participating more regularly in Center activities, I had also worked monitoring pollinators and watching over Isla Tiburón, which has helped me strengthen my knowledge of field work and of caring for the territory.
These experiences have taught me how to work in the field, responsibly register data, work in teams, and value the importance of uniting my community’s knowledge with science and conservation. I feel fortunate to be able to work here, where my grandparents once worked as well.
Wetlands Conservation
Ulises Becerra
In 2018 Prescott College contracted Ulises as the field assistant for the Wetlands Conservation Program to promote conservation in community groups, specifically those involved with the Laguna La Cruz estuary, work that Ulises is passionate about! He is considered a community leader in conservation because he has worked with many institutions and organizations that focus on conservation.
“I enjoy being able to support our grain of sand in the overall conservation effort. I will always promote sustainable and responsible fishing in our community.”
Maintenance
Emilio Osuna
“I enjoy being part of a close-knit team, and I am happy that I can use my previous experience and knowledge of local fish and places to help out with the conservation work here.”
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