María is the Director of the Agri-food Systems Research Center at University of the Andes (Colombia). María, a biologist with a Master’s and Ph.D. in Science from the University of the Andes, has always been motivated to use her scientific vocation to discover practical solutions to address major farming challenges in Latin America. As a co-founder and current Director of the Agri-food Systems Research Center (Centro ISA), she has successfully forged robust partnerships with national and global academic and government organization. Her efforts have been focused on driving progress in research to establish the University of the Andes as a prominent institution within the food system sector. María’s works deeply integrate her passion for social inclusion, science and innovation in local food systems models. Currently, Maria’s research interest focuses on understanding how agroecology, biodiversity, and soil health models drive the transition pathways towards Sustainable Climate-Resilient Food Systems in Colombia. Additionally, María demonstrates a strong enthusiasm for employing innovative approaches to build local community engagement in agri-food systems.

At THE NEW INSTITUTE, María is involved in the "The Future of Food: Power and Biodiversity" program, where she will focus on understanding how agroecology, biodiversity, and soil health models drive transition pathways to sustainable, climate-resilient food systems in Colombia. She will join us in the fall term of 2024.