May 18, 2012

At its meeting this month in Honduras, the Council of Ministers of the Central American Commission for Environment and Development (CCAD) named SNRE Professor Ivette Perfecto as a founding member of its new biodiversity science council. The Scientific Council on Biodiversity for the Central American Integration System will ensure the technical quality of work plans of the Regional Institute of Biodiversity, the technical body of the CCAD.

This council will create a network of biodiversity experts for Central America and recommend new policies for the region. The first council will work until 2015. It includes active researchers in the Central American countries, academics in universities within and outside the region. Its membersall experts in biodiversity. In addition to Perfecto, its other members are: Jorge Cortíƒ ©s, Ph.D. (University of Costa Rica); Roberto Dirzo, Ph.D. (Stanford University); Celia Harvey, Ph.D. (Conservation International); Oliver Komar, Ph.D. (Zamorano University, Honduras), and Bette Loiselle, Ph.D. (University of Florida).

This group of scientists has published nearly 600 articles in international journals and advised 47 doctoral dissertations. Many of these studies were conducted in Central America. 

"The IRBIO Scientific Council is an excellent opportunity to strengthen the technical advice available to decision makers in the governments of the region on issues affecting sustainable development," said Roberto Cuevas Garcíƒ ­a, Rector of Zamorano University. This university manages IRBIO under an agreement with the CCAD, which was formed  to ensure awareness and promote sustainable use of biological diversity.

"For the first time, Central America will benefit from technical advice at this level, said Rigoberto Cuíƒ ©llar, the minister of environment and natural resources of Honduras and president pro tempore of the CCAD. "The formation of this council is a major step forward for the development of the region. It is important that politicians receive scientific advice before making important decisions."

Perfecto joined SNRE in 1989 as an assistant professor. She earned her master of science in biology (1982) and her Ph.D. in Ecology and Natural Resources (1989), both from the University of Michigan. In 2009, she was named the George W. Pack Professor of Natural Resources at SNRE.

Spanish versions of this news is available from www.sica.int and www.zamorano.edu.