New IAI Scientific Director

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) is pleased to announce that Dr. Edwin Castellanos begins today his tenure as the new Science Director

Edwin brings more than 25 years of experience in research and higher education in Guatemala and Mesoamerica in climate change and management of natural resources, with a particular focus on freshwater and forest management.

Edwin holds a Ph.D. in  Environmental Science from Indiana University in the United States. He has been the lead researcher on multiple national and regional projects on climate change adaptation by rural and Indigenous communities, including a CRN-II project funded by the IAI. His research also includes studying the causes of deforestation and associated carbon emissions as part of REDD+ initiatives. 

He is the author of more than 50 scientific publications. In 2016, he was awarded the National Medal for Science and Technology by the Government of Guatemala, the highest national distinction for scientific excellence.

Before this appointment, he was the Director of Science for Latin America with The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) team. Previously, Edwin served as director of the Sustainable Economic Observatory and the Center for Environmental Studies and Biodiversity at Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, where he is now a visiting researcher. 

Other notable roles include the Coordinating Lead Author in the IPCC 6th Assessment Report’s chapter on vulnerability and adaptation for Central and South America, member and Chair of the IAI’s Science Advisory Committee, and a member of the External Advisory Council for the World. 

Please join the IAI in welcoming Dr. Castellanos.

See the notification