UN BIODIVERSITY LAB - Key Persons
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- Professor - Ecology Department, Montana State University
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- Strategic Advisor on Science and Policy - United Nations Development Programme ( UNDP )
- Strategic Advisor on Spatial Planning - UNDP
Annie manages and provides scientific, technical, and communications expertise to a range of projects focused on conservation, local sustainable development, and spatial planning. She co-leads the development and implementation of UNDP's work to map essential life support areas for nature, climate change, and sustainable development. Working in English and Spanish, Annie is responsible for liaising with a diverse team of scientists, policymakers, and implementing partners across her portfolio to facilitate delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals. She has worked with the Global Programme on Nature for Development since 2015.
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- Stakeholder Engagement Analyst - UNDP
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- Senior Advisor on Biodiversity Policy, Science, and Projects - UNDP
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- Programme Management Assistant, SCBD
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- Director, PRIAS Laboratory
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- Database and Web Specialist
- Website Specialist, Global Programme on Nature for Development - UNDP
Daniel is a database and web specialist focused on online Information Management Systems (IMS) and e-learning platforms. He's responsible for responding to the UNDP Global Programme on Nature for Development's digital needs, by implementing best practices to assure the highest ICT standards. Daniel has been working with UNDP since 2010, and his experience, both in country offices and UN Head Quarters, makes him better understand how to use information and communication technologies to create innovative solutions that help accelerate sustainable development.
Previous experience and expertise
Since early 2010, Daniel has been working with UNDP supporting country offices in Latin America (Dominican Republic and Bolivia) and Southern Africa (Lesotho), currently working at UNDP HQ (New York).
In addition to UNDP, Daniel supported other UN agencies, such ILO, as well as private sector companies in the area of digital banking and data security.
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- Spatial Planning & Biodiversity Expert - UNDP
- Spatial Planning & Biodiversity Expert - United Nations Development Programme ( UNDP )
Di is a Spatial Planning & Biodiversity Expert with the Global Programme on Nature for Development, UNDP. She provides key implementation support to a broad range of spatial activities across the Mapping Nature for People and Planet (ELSA) project and the UN Biodiversity Lab (UNBL), including data management, GIS analysis, stakeholder engagement and capacity building. Di coordinates the ELSA science team work and has worked closely with countries across the globe to locate and curate national-level data on biodiversity, climate, and sustainable livelihoods. She is also responsible for user support of UNBL and coordinates core activities to support national-level achievement of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Previous experience and expertise
Prior to joining UNDP, Di conducted her PhD study on conservation outcomes of protected areas, and co-designed an evidence-based outcomes evaluation system for China's nature reserves that embeds long-term monitoring efforts. Di has worked as consultant for a non-profit organization Shanshui, where she implemented the China Forest Watch project, and co-led the conservation outcome assessment of China's largest Giant Panda nature reserve. Di also has work experience with UNDP China and the Development Research Center of the State Council. Di holds a PhD degree in Conservation Biology from Peking University, and a Bachelor's degree in Marine Biology. She has large research interests in systematic conservation planning, protected areas effectiveness assessment, and has broad experience in GIS, statistics, wildlife inventory and habitat modeling.
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- Policy Expert - UNDP
- Policy Expert - United Nations Development Programme ( UNDP )
Enrique is advising the Nature for Development Programme, specially the Essential Life Support Area (ELSA) project, on translating scientific data into actionable policy frameworks at global and national level. Conducting policy analysis, creating policy documents, advising national authorities, as well as supporting stakeholder engagement are part of his tasks in the team.
Previous experience and expertise
Enrique Paniagua is a Policy Expert on nature-based solutions at UNDP. He has worked with the Nature for Development Global Programme at UNDP since 2019. He has formerly developed policy briefs to help countries raise nature-based ambitions in their NDCs and co-wrote UNDP's guidelines on the inclusion of nature-based solutions in NDCs. He also works for the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP), where he's leading the creation of Costa Rica's National Climate Adaptation Plan.
Prior to joining UNDP, Enrique worked for GIZ and the Ministry of Environment of Costa Rica, developing the National Communication on Adaptation. He also led a regional project to close the energy gap in Central America, aiming to provide off-grid, renewable energy to vulnerable communities. He has additionally worked in climate-smart farming projects and Disaster Risk Reduction. He holds a Master degree in International Development from the University of Jyvaskyla (Finland), and is pursuing a second Masters in Disaster Risk Management and Climate Governance.
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- Forest Renewal British Columbia Chair in Conservation Biology - Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia
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- Computational Researcher - PRIAS Laboratory, CeNAT
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- Director of Conservation Planning - Wildlife Conservation Society
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- Vice - Chancellor 's Senior Research Fellow and Professor - the University of Queensland
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- Remote Sensing Researcher - PRIAS Lab, CeNAT
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- Adjunct Researcher - Biodiversity Evaluation and Biodiversity, Humboldt Institute
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- Professor - University of Queensland
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- Manager of Nature for Development Programme - United Nations Development Programme ( UNDP )
- Manager of the Nature for Development Programme - UNDP
Jamison Ervin manages the Nature for Development team of UNDP, with the goal of putting nature at the heart of sustainable development. She provides overall project vision and leadership on the Mapping Nature for People and Planet project, including the UN Biodiversity Lab and the mapping of Essential Life Support Areas. Her aim is to help governments and communities use spatial data to transform how they make decisions, and to put nature at the heart of sustainable development.
Previous experience and expertise
Jamison Ervin has worked at the intersection of nature and development since 1990. She currently works at UNDP, focusing on enabling countries to develop a ‘Map of Hope' for nature-dependent goals that puts nature at the heart of their decision-making. She also focuses on supporting local action around nature-based solutions, including leading UNDP's Equator Initiative, on supporting governments in identifying nature-based solutions for climate, and on supporting action and ambition around protected areas. Her previous work is with The Nature Conservancy, the World Wildlife Fund for Nature, and the Forest Stewardship Council. She holds a Ph.D. in Natural Resources from the University of Vermont.
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- Programme Officer, Science - UNEP - WCMC
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- Head of Monitoring, Review, and Reporting, SCBD
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- President & Senior Scientist - Wildlife Conservation Society Canada
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- Senior Biodiversity and Policy Coordinator - UNDP
- Senior Biodiversity and Spatial Planning Analyst - UNDP
- Senior Biodiversity and Spatial Planning Analyst - United Nations Development Programme ( UNDP )
- Senior Biodiversity Policy Coordinator
Lea Phillips is a Senior Biodiversity Policy Coordinator who provides key implementation support on the the Global Biodiversity Framework Early Action Support Project. Since 2020, she has worked closely with UNDP Country Offices across the globe to hold high-impact stakeholder consultations on spatial data and national biodiversity planning. In 2022, her role grew to also encompass the development and delivery of high-impact guidance and tools to support national-level achievement of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Previous experience and expertise
Prior to joining UNDP, Lea Phillips worked as a Youth Development Program Coordinator for Peace Corps, Morocco. During this formative experience, Lea co-created programs around health, gender, and the environment with local leaders. She holds a Masters in International Political Economy and Development from Fordham University with an emphasis on Sustainable Development. Her Bachelor's degree is in Theatre Studies with a minor in Gender Studies. Lea has high proficiency in Moroccan Arabic and is enjoying the opportunity to develop her Spanish competency through work with UNDP Country Offices in Latin America.
Lea Phillips led the development of the Integrated Spatial Planning Workbook, an official UNDP publication that shows how nations can develop ‘Maps of Hope' that indicate where to protect, manage, and restore ecosystems to meet their unique goals. She has lead in the production of the Integrated Spatial Planning Massive Open Online Course, which was launched in parallel with the workbook. Other publications and communications products include Nature is Counting on Us (UNDP publication), Mapping Hope - Nature for Climate (UNDP Costa Rica photo essay), Putting spatial planning on the map: How high-ambition countries are achieving nature and climate goals (SPACES policy brief), Putting nature on the map (UNDP blog), From ‘untouchables' to internationally recognized farmers (SDG Integration Article).
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- Senior Developer - Digital Transformation
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- Senior Developer - Digital Transformation - UNEP - WCMC
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- Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator for Spatial Planning - UNDP
- Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator for Spatial Planning - United Nations Development Programme ( UNDP )
Marion Marigo is responsible for designing and successfully implementing spatial planning activities through the effective engagement of national stakeholders. Marion is responsible for the implementation of the project "Mapping Nature for People and Planet" in 13 countries, and explores upcoming opportunities to enhance national decision making through the use of scientific data. Working in English, French and Spanish, Marion's responsibilities include: identifying and liaising with national counterparts, following the principles of a whole-of-society approach; coordinating efforts and activities with the science and policy teams; organizing and facilitating stakeholder consultations and follow-up activities; leading communication and promotional pieces; supervising logistical and administrative aspects of the project; and continuously exploring new streams of work to sustain and improve project outcomes and products over time. She also supports the development and use of UN Biodiversity Lab by Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Marion is also the coordinator for the GEF-funded Global Biodiversity Framework - Early Action Support (GBF-EAS) project, ensuring that Parties to the CBD take early action to align their national biodiversity targets on the newly adopted Kunming-Montreal GBF.
Previous experience and expertise
Marion has been working within the United Nations for five years, including over 4 years with UNDP. Previously, Marion was a Technical Expert, providing support to all GEF-eligible countries to produce 64 high quality, data-driven and gender-responsive Sixth National Reports to the CBD. In this role, she produced a robust gender analysis and online course on gender and biodiversity, and extensively supported Parties to increase the use of spatial data for monitoring and reporting purposes. As a result of this work, the UNDP team has become an essential and reliable institutional partner to be further consulted in ongoing and future projects. Marion also previously worked with UNESCO in India, where she focused on the climate-migration nexus, bringing a gender lens to related activities and analyses. Marion received her Masters from the University of Melbourne, Australia, and the Université Paris 1 - Panthéon Sorbonne, France.
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- Senior Programme Officer - UNEP - WCMC
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- Chief Scientist - UNEP - WCMC
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- Policy Advisor
- Policy Advisor, Nature - Based Solutions - UNDP
- Policy Advisor, Nature - Based Solutions - United Nations Development Programme ( UNDP )
Nicole is working with the project Mapping Nature for People and Planet to translate Essential Life Support Area (ELSA) maps and spatial insights into tangible policy actions for decision makers, with the aim to support countries to achieve their policy priorities with co-benefits across climate, biodiversity, and sustainable development. Nicole is also contributing to the vision for a marine-specific ELSA offering.
Previous experience and expertise
Nicole DeSantis is a Policy Advisor on nature-based solutions for sustainable development at UNDP. She has worked with the Nature for Development Global Programme at UNDP for more than four years. She was formerly the coordinator of the New York Declaration on Forests Global Platform, a partnership of governments, multinational companies, civil society and Indigenous peoples striving to protect and restore forests and end deforestation by 2030. Nicole has contributed to other UNDP initiatives, including the Equator Initiative and the Nature for Climate national briefings that examined nature-based solutions across climate, biodiversity and development policy.
Prior to joining UNDP, Nicole coordinated a community resilience and energy storage program for the Massachusetts' Department of Energy Resources, consulted with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and served as Director of Research and Engagement at the New England Water Innovation Network. She holds a Master of Science degree from the University of Oxford, School of Geography and the Environment, where she focused on natural resource management, sustainable development, and the linkages between water, energy and food security.
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- Senior Policy Adviser, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities ( IPLC ) Engagemen - United Nations Development Programme ( UNDP )
- Senior Policy Adviser, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities ( IPLC ) Engagement - UNDP
As a Senior Policy Adviser on Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Engagement, Nina works to determine how UN Biodiversity Lab can be useful to IPLCs and how to support them to produce their own data through enhanced capacity, tools, and technology, respecting principles of data sovereignty. This may include assessing needs related to data and capacity, and organizing and providing training related to drones, GPS, and other technology. In terms of the project, Mapping Nature for People and Planet, Nina's work is related to ensuring that IPLCs are part of the ELSA process, and that their lands and territories are considered in developing policies related to nature, climate, and sustainable development.
Previous experience and expertise
Nina Kantcheva is the Senior Policy Adviser on IPLC Engagement for UNDP's Global Programme on Nature for Development Programme, also overseeing the engagement of IPLCs in the New York Declaration on Forests. With many years of experience at UNDP, working first with the Equator Initiative and then the UN-REDD Programme, Nina seeks to ensure that the priorities, needs and solutions of UNDP's IPLC constituents, such as Equator Prize winners, are recognized and scaled, helping inform policy. Nina is also the co-founder of Tushevs Aerials, an initiative to democratize drone technology that includes design, building, data processing, and capacity building for Indigenous peoples, local communities, organizations and individuals to use drones for environmental and humanitarian goals. Nina has also been a Strategic Adviser for Tribal Link Foundation, a non-profit organization helping develop the capacity of Indigenous peoples to advocate at the United Nations.
Given her extensive experience at the UN and non-profit organizations, Nina aims to use her privileged access to be an ally to and open up political space for essential but marginalized voices, like those of indigenous peoples and local communities, and grassroots women. Understanding that we cannot solve the planetary emergencies of climate change and biodiversity loss without their knowledge, experience, and decision-making, Nina works to establish and support initiatives and convenings that place the needs and priorities of indigenous peoples and local communities at the center. Born and raised in Bulgaria, Nina lives in New York City with her family.
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- Forest Renewal British Columbia Chair in Conservation Biology - Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia
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- Senior Research Scholar and Research Group Leader - Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation Group, IIASA
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- Project Officer - Digital Transformation - UNEP - WCMC
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- Director of the National Center of GeoEnvironmental Information - the Ministry of Environment and Energy of Costa Rica
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- Life Support Areas ( ELSA ) Model Developer
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- Technical Specialist - UNDP
- Technical Specialist, United Nations Development Programme - UNDP
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- Co - Founder, CEO / CTO, Impact Observatory
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- Associate Researcher - Analysis and Modelling Lab, Humboldt Institute
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- Environmental Technical Analyst - UNDP
- Environmental Technical Analyst - United Nations Development Programme ( UNDP )
- Environmental Technical Analyst for UNDP 's Global Programme
- Spatial Planning & Biodiversity Expert - UNDP
Veronica Recondo is an Environmental Technical Analyst for UNDP's Global Programme on Nature for Development. Working in English, Spanish and Portuguese, she supports the implementation of nature based planning and mapping initiatives, including Essential Life Support Areas (ELSA) mapping, the UN Biodiversity Lab, and the NASA Life on Land project. She works with national governments and UNDP Country Offices to identify opportunities to use the best available spatial data to design, implement and monitor national policies on nature, climate change and sustainable development. Veronica also supports the GBF-EAS project through knowledge management, capacity building and support to the development of technical guidance documents and reports.
Previous experience and expertise
Prior to joining UNDP, Veronica worked as researcher at the School of Agriculture of the University of Buenos Aires in projects related to land use management in Argentina. She holds a BSc. in Environmental Science from the University of Buenos Aires and an MSc. in Environmental Management from the University of Western Australia.
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- Senior Programme Officer - Digital Transformation - UNEP - WCMC
- Senior Project Officer - Digital Transformation