Innovations for Ocean Action Foundation

A quantitative ecologist with over 20 years of experience in fishery stock assessment, Rodrigo held a Ph.D. in Biology and Statistics from the University of St. Andrews and M.Sc. in Fisheries and B.Sc. in Marine Biology from the University of Concepción. He played a key role in establishing the Centre for Applied Ecology and Sustainability at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, advised Chile’s government and global bodies like CCAMLR on stock assessments and authored over 70 studies in peer-reviewed journals. A recipient of the CCAMLR Young Scientist Award, his leadership in projects with the Chilean Fisheries Institute (IFOP) and the Coastal Social-Ecological Millennium Institute (SECOS) bridged ecological modeling and community-driven governance.

Dr. Wiff, who collaborated with I4OA Foundation as an Affiliated Scientist, passed away suddenly on September 21, 2025. We deeply mourn the loss of a friend and exceptional scientist, whose expertise, talent and profound collaborative spirit greatly enriched our work both professionally and personally.

Milagros holds a degree in Tourism Administration from the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, graduating first in her class. She has extensive experience in event planning, logistics coordination, and team operations. Currently, she provides logistics support to various organizations, planning budgets, and managing travel arrangements, and events. Previously, she managed administrative duties in a Peruvian restaurant in Chile, coordinated guest services at a major international hotel chain, and assisted in handling selection processes and contract documentation for a medical equipment supplier in Peru. Milagros excels in facilitating effective communication and collaboration.

Viviana Jurado is a biologist with over 18 years of experience in fisheries research and management in Ecuador, specializing in biological and fisheries indicators, population dynamics, and stock assessment. She has led technical and research projects to promote sustainability in both artisanal and industrial fisheries, working closely with fishing communities, NGOs, and government agencies. Viviana holds a degree in Biology from the University of Guayaquil, a Master’s in Climate Change from the Faculty of Maritime Engineering at the Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL), and a diploma in Fisheries Assessment from the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso (PUCV), Chile. Her expertise positions her as a technical leader in fisheries evaluation, monitoring, and the strengthening of strategies for climate-resilient and sustainable fisheries management.

David Población is a software architect with over 20 years of experience in backend development, distributed systems, and real-time data processing. He has led the evolution of large-scale platforms, including a fleet management system for over 60,000 vehicles. David now focuses on applying emerging technologies to marine resource governance, designing digital solutions that provide transparent, tamper-proof records to support small-scale fishers, regulatory compliance, and sustainable practices. He combines deep technical expertise with a commitment to scalable, open systems that empower communities and institutions through digital transformation.

With a B.Sc. in Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences from Texas A&M University, Christina has dedicated her career to garnering philanthropic backing of the on-the-ground initiatives of international environmental nonprofit organizations. Her extensive experience of more than three decades in building institutional partnerships, strategy development, relationship management, and grant writing includes roles at Re:wild, The Nature Conservancy, Conservation International, An Taisce – the National Trust for Ireland, and the Surfrider Foundation, among others.

Maria Tae has built her career at the intersection of fisheries governance and international cooperation in Timor-Leste. Holding a BSc in Geology and Environmental Studies from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, she served as institutional focal point for a wide range of regional and global initiatives while working as officer at the Directorate General of Fisheries, including the Regional Plan of Action to Promote Responsible Fishing Practices (RPOA-IUU), the Lusophone Countries Network for Combating IUU Fishing, the GloLitter Partnerships Project, and JICA-supported fisheries programmes. Her work has taken her from MCS training in Nha Trang, Vietnam, to Port State Measures inspection in Lisbon, Portugal, and to international forums where she has presented as a speaker on women, peace, security and maritime environmental crime. At I4OA, Maria serves as Project Specialist, bringing frontline expertise in Monitoring, Control and Surveillance and a deep knowledge of the regulatory and institutional landscape of Timor-Leste.