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About The Speakers
Robin Abell
Robin Abell is Conservation International’s Freshwater Lead.
She joined Conservation International from The Nature
Conservancy’s Global Water program, where she led an
ambitious project to demonstrate and quantify the benefits of
source water protection. Before that, Robin spent 17 years with
World Wildlife Fund’s Conservation Science Program, where she
led a team that produced foundational publications on
freshwater conservation. Robin’s professional interests include
freshwater biodiversity, freshwater protected areas, inland
fisheries, corporate stewardship and conservation impact
assessment. She holds a B.A. from Yale University and an M.S.
in Aquatic Ecology from the University of Michigan’s School of
Natural Resources and Environment.
Robin Abell
Tania Romero Bautista
Conservation Nation Grantee Tania Romero Bautista is passionate
about supporting Amazonian communities in their journey toward
sustainability and self-sufficiency. Tania was born and raised in
Madre de Dios, Peru, where she began her path into community-based
conservation. Tania will be conducting her PhD research project
in collaboration with WCS Peru initiatives like Amazon Waters
and Citizen Science and under the supervision of Dr. Anderson.
Tania's current research interests focus on making conservation
and sustainable development strategies more accessible to rural
Amazonian communities and guiding policymakers in how to design
and implement more comprehensive, integrative regulations
for community-based freshwater management. Tania earned her
master's degree in Sustainable Development Practice from the
University of Florida in 2018 and her bachelor’s degree in Ecotourism
from the National Amazonian University of Madre de Dios in 2012.
Tania Romero Bautista
Dr. Nikki Traylor-Knowles
BWEEMs (Black Women in Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Science) was
founded by Dr. Nikki Traylor-Knowles, an Assistant Professor in
Marine Biology and Ecology at the University of Miami, Rosenstiel
School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences. Nikki leads the Cnidarian
Immunity Laboratory, which investigates the mechanisms of immune
function in corals. Her lab is particularly focused on developing
novel strategies for saving coral reefs. Prior to starting her
assistant professorship, she earned her B.S. and M.S. in Cell and
Molecular Biology from Johns Hopkins University, her PhD. in
Biology from Boston University, and her postdoctoral studies through
Hopkins Marine Station at Stanford University. Nikki started BWEEMS
as a way to develop community, share science, and promote innovative
thinking. She was tired of hearing that Black women in ecology,
evolution and marine science didn't exist. We do!
Dr. Nikki Traylor-Knowles
Robin Abell
Freshwater Lead | Conservation International
Robin Abell is Conservation International’s Freshwater Lead. She joined Conservation International from The Nature Conservancy’s Global Water program, where she led an ambitious project to demonstrate and quantify the benefits of source water protection. Before that, Robin spent 17 years with World Wildlife Fund’s Conservation Science Program, where she led a team that produced foundational publications on freshwater conservation. Robin’s professional interests include freshwater biodiversity, freshwater protected areas, inland fisheries, corporate stewardship and conservation impact assessment. She holds a B.A. from Yale University and an M.S. in Aquatic Ecology from the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and Environment.
Tania Romero Bautista
Grantee | Conservation Nation
Tania is passionate about supporting Amazonian communities in their journey toward sustainability and self-sufficiency. Tania was born and raised in Madre de Dios, Peru, where she began her path into community-based conservation. Tania will be conducting her PhD research project in collaboration with WCS Peru initiatives like Amazon Waters and Citizen Science and under the supervision of Dr. Anderson. Tania's current research interests focus on making conservation and sustainable development strategies more accessible to rural Amazonian communities and guiding policymakers in how to design and implement more comprehensive, integrative regulations for community-based freshwater management. Tania earned her master's degree in Sustainable Development Practice from the University of Florida in 2018 and her bachelor’s degree in Ecotourism from the National Amazonian University of Madre de Dios in 2012.
Dr. Nikki Traylor-Knowles
Founder | BWEEMs (Black Women in Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Science)
BWEEMs (Black Women in Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Science) was founded by Dr. Nikki Traylor-Knowles, an Assistant Professor in Marine Biology and Ecology at the University of Miami, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences. Nikki leads the Cnidarian Immunity Laboratory, which investigates the mechanisms of immune function in corals. Her lab is particularly focused on developing novel strategies for saving coral reefs. Prior to starting her assistant professorship, she earned her B.S. and M.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology from Johns Hopkins University, her PhD. in Biology from Boston University, and her postdoctoral studies through Hopkins Marine Station at Stanford University. Nikki started BWEEMS as a way to develop community, share science, and promote innovative thinking. She was tired of hearing that Black women in ecology, evolution and marine science didn't exist. We do!
