Abel Valdivia

Abel Valdivia, PhD, is a seasoned marine conservation scientist currently serving as the Lead Marine Conservation Scientist for the World Wildlife Fund, overseeing monitoring, evaluation, and learning efforts in the Oceans team since February 2022. Previously, Abel held the position of Senior Manager of Monitoring and Evaluation at Rare, where responsibilities included leading Fish Forever's global initiatives across seven countries. From 2015 to 2018, Abel worked as an Ocean Scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity, advising on marine science to support conservation strategies and contributing extensively to public discourse through comment letters and press releases. Abel's academic background includes a PhD in Marine Ecology and Conservation Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, complemented by a Master's Degree in Marine Ecology and a Bachelor's Degree in Biology from the University of Havana. Abel's diverse experience also encompasses positions at NOAA, BIOS, and various educational institutions, highlighting a strong commitment to marine conservation and science education.