Basic info

First Name

Ana Maria

Last Name

Montes Ferro

User name

ana-maria

Country

Colombia

Gender

Female

Full name

Ana Maria Montes Ferro

Working languages

English, French (Français), Spanish (Español)

Bio

About

Driven by my passion for biodiversity, I pursued studies in both biology and microbiology, which eventually led me to the captivating Amazon Rainforest. Here, I was given the opportunity to learn from other forms of knowledge which allowed me to navigate the complexities of this forest. Over time, I realized that biodiversity when used as a verb, could initiate meaningful dialogues with native communities. I strongly believe that by bridging scientific and local knowledge, we can create innovative solutions to foster symbiosis between economic, environmental, and social values.

 

 

Education
  • Biology, University of Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia, 2020
  • Microbiology, University of los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia, 2020
Significant achievements
  • The entrepreneurship project ‘Estomagos del Amazonas’ was selected as semifinalist in the Despega Colombia competition 2022
  • The ‘Otters-up’ conservation project was presented at a UNICEF discussion forum in Benjamin Constant, Brazil and received 100% approval from young leaders, local government entities, and UNICEF coordinators, making it the only project to achieve such unanimous support
Certifications
  • Program WISE (Women in STEM Entrepreneurship) by Uniandes 2022
  • Program ‘Aceleración de Proyectos de Emprendimiento Universitario 2021’  (Acceleration of University Entrepreneurship Projects 2021)  by Cámara de Comercio de Bogotá
  • Certificate of assistance to ’13° Encuentro RedBioLAC: Biodigestores domésticos: instalación, operación y mantenimiento’ (13 th RedBioLAC Meeting – Domestic biodigesters: installation, operation and maintenance) – October 26, 2021
  • Certificate of assistance to the First International Workshop of Giant Otters, May 9-12, 2017 by Fundación zoológico de Cali.

Business

Business

Open to new collaborations

Current employment

CEO of Terragénesis, Colombia

Expertise

Alertness towards sustainability – Knowledge in biological conservation – Experience co-creating with communities – Cross-cultural communication – Curiosity driven

Motivation for social impact creation

Guy Laliberté once shared that the three ‘P’s for success are Passion, Perseverance, and Partnership. Throughout my journey as an entrepreneur and a conservation scientist, I recognized that Privilege was also a ‘P’ in this equation. I dream of a world of equal opportunities which is why, I aspire to be an entrepreneur who can create a symbiosis between social, environmental and economic values

Contributions to the SBC community

Willing to share my experiences and know-how

Sustainable Development Goals

GOAL 1: No Poverty, GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-being, GOAL 4: Quality Education, GOAL 5: Gender Equality, GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, GOAL 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, GOAL 15: Life on Land

Research

Research

Active but not looking

Research interests
  • Sanitation in low-income settings
  • New-tech on wastewater treatment and reuse
  • Human behavior: cultural aspects around sanitation
  • Neglected diseases
  • Link between sanitation and health
  • Link between sanitation and education

Teaching

Teaching experience
  • Ongoing language exchange program between kubeo and english with indigenous people displaced by violence, Bogotá, Colombia (6 months).
  • Designed and conducted 20 workshops aimed at promoting sustainable soil use for farmers (familias campesinas), Huila, Colombia.
  • Teaching assistant in conservation biology at the University of los Andes for a total of three semesters, Bogotá, Colombia (12 months).
  • Mentor in ‘Progresa Fenicia’, a program to strengthen the education of children from vulnerable neighborhoods surrounding the University of los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia (6 months).
  • Conducted a series of workshops on the conservation of giant otters with children from Paumari’s community, Javary Basin, Brazil, and Escola Graziela, Benjamin Constant, Brazil (2 months).

SBC competition

Competition: look for projects

Active but not looking for new projects

Competition: look for members

Lab leader