Launch: 13 November 2025
Thematic focus: Biodiversity and Bioeconomy
Countries represented: Argentina, Colombia, Panama, United States
No. of fellows: 8
Host institutions: 9
The IAI’s Science, Technology and Policy (STeP) Fellowship Program trains early- and mid-career professionals to work at the intersection of science and public policy. The 2025–2027 cohort is the first with a dedicated thematic focus on biodiversity and bioeconomy, in response to demand from governments and partner organizations to strengthen scientific advice in areas of high socio-environmental relevance.
Fellows combine training in science diplomacy, science communication, leadership, and transdisciplinary approaches with placements in government and R&D institutions in the Americas. The IAI works with host institutions to align projects with national and international frameworks, strengthen capacities in bioeconomy indicators, promote monitoring in public management, and encourage local data collection with interactive feedback.
Fellows 2025–2027
Carolina Chong Montenegro (Panama)
Host institution: Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI)
Profile: Ecologist specializing in tropical marine resource management. Her work integrates science and policy to promote sustainable fishing that balances ecological and economic value, with an emphasis on key species and evidence-informed decision-making. (full bio)
Sara Gonzalez (United States)
Host institution: AAAS / U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
Profile: AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow with a PhD in ecology and evolution. Experience in data governance, biodiversity, and ecosystem services, as well as academic links with Latin America (former Fulbright scholar in Chile). Interest in evidence-based public policy and data science for environmental decision-making. (full bio)
Aymer Andrés Vásquez Ordóñez (Argentina)
Host institution: Institute of Regional Ecology (IER) UNT-CONICET and CREA
Profile: Biologist, PhD in Biological Sciences. Researches biodiversity and ecosystem services applied to management and conservation. Experience in fieldwork, scientific publications, outreach, and coordination with the productive sector for nature-based solutions. (full bio)
Manuela Montoya Castrillón (Colombia)
Host institution: Alexander von Humboldt Biological Resources Research Institute (IAvH)
Profile: Biochemical engineer with a master’s degree in sustainable processes and products. Experience in bioeconomics, project management, and integration of actors in the science, technology, and innovation (STI) ecosystem. Focus on the design of policies and tools for the sustainable use of biodiversity. (full bio)
Gonzalo Martín Rivelli (Argentina)
Host institution: CREA-CONICET and FAUBA
Profile: Agricultural engineer (FAUBA) with a background in crop ecophysiology and sustainable management. Postdoctoral experience co-funded by CONICET and CREA. Interest in indicators and metrics for agricultural bioeconomy and assessment of the impact of management practices in different environments. (full bio)
María Agustina Iglesias (Argentina)
Host institution: CONICET-CREA
Profile: Agricultural engineer and doctor of agricultural sciences. Researches climate-resilient agriculture, with experience in water deficit and warming in woody crops (e.g., olive trees). Contributes a perspective on climate change adaptation and efficiency in the use of water resources. (full bio)
Benjamin Gerstner (United States)
Host institution: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Profile: AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow with a background in ecology and evolutionary biology, and experience in neuroscience and data science. He works on evidence-based science policy, data integration, and knowledge synthesis to strengthen decision-making. (full bio)
Emily Lara (Ecuador)
Host Institution: National Biodiversity Institute (INABIO)
Profile: Emily Lara is an Environmental Engineer and Promotion and Outreach Analyst at the National Institute of Biodiversity (INABIO). She has experience in non-governmental organizations and in coordinating environmental projects. At INABIO, she supports processes related to biological collections, contributes to citizen science initiatives, and collaborates on bioeconomy-oriented projects and scientific outreach efforts. (full bio)
Belén Montenegro (Ecuador)
Host Institution: National Biodiversity Institute (INABIO)
Profile: Belén Montenegro is an Environmental Management professional with over 15 years of experience in the design, implementation, and monitoring of projects across both the public and private sectors. She has worked on the development of environmental and social indicators, the economic valuation of ecosystem services and environmental liabilities, and the formulation of remediation strategies. (full bio)
Cohort mentors
- Ediner Fuentes — SENACYT Panama
- Pilar Useche — University of Florida, Center for Latin American Studies, Tropical Conservation & Development Program
- Carlos Joly — UNICAMP (Brazil), Brazilian Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (BPBES)
- Sebastián Riera — INTA (Argentina)
- Laila Sandroni — IAI
- Alma Hernandez — AMEXAC Mexico
- LATAM Bioeconomy Network — https://bioeconomialatam.net/
Cohort work streams
- Biodiversity for public policy: monitoring, indicators, and integration of evidence into management tools.
- Bioeconomy with a territorial focus: sustainable value chains, innovation, and value addition based on biodiversity.
- Data science for decision-making: governance, interoperability, and responsible use of environmental data.
- Science-policy-society articulation: science diplomacy, public communication, and co-creation with local actors.
Host institutions
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) – Panama
- American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) / Department of Energy (DOE), National Science Foundation (NSF) – United States
- Institute of Regional Ecology (IER) UNT-CONICET and CREA – Argentina
- Alexander von Humboldt Biological Resources Research Institute (IAvH) – Colombia
- CONICET-CREA – Argentina
- INABIO-Ecuador
Information
Contact step@dir.iai.int if you need more information, or visit the STeP Program.
