I grew up in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest, where nature was never something “out there”, it was home. As a kid, I spent hours exploring rivers on my kayak, searching for all kinds of animals. The jungle was my happy place. It still is. That early connection shaped everything that came after. I studied forest sciences in Peru and later completed a master’s degree and a PhD in forest ecology in Germany.

The more I learned, the deeper my appreciation for nature became, and the clearer it was how quickly and intensely human activities are putting pressure on it. Deforestation, pollution, and the overuse of natural resources aren’t abstract concepts to me. They’re realities I’ve seen affect places and ecosystems I care deeply about. As part of Wilderness International, I’m motivated to help understand, protect, and restore unique ecosystems around the world, starting in my own country and the landscapes that first inspired me.