Mauricio (he/him) is an Ecology Researcher at The Firelight Group supporting the Ecology team.  He is original from Colombia, South America and a settler in the traditional territories of the Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) and Lekwugen (Songhees) peoples, known as Victoria, BC.

Mauricio holds a PhD in Biology from the University of Victoria, a Master’s Degree in Natural Resources and Environment from the Instituto Politecnico Nacional in Mexico, and a BSc in Marine Biology from Jorge Tadeo University in Colombia. His research has focused on understanding the importance of fish habitat in nearshore ecosystems of tropical and temperate systems and the effects of anthropogenic activities on fish habitat and, ultimately, the consequences for small-scale fisheries. To answer these questions, he has used different techniques such as meta-analysis, statistical modeling, habitat suitability modelling, field sampling. He has worked with fishing communities in Colombia to combine Western Science with Traditional Ecological Knowledge to better understand fish habitat use. He also has over five years of experience in post-secondary education.

In his free time he enjoys exploring intertidal and forested areas with his wife and son and spends many hours outside riding his bike.