Overview
David Barrios
| Phone | +44-7772260525 |
| Language | English - Spanish |
| Profession | Biologist |
| Communication | Mobile, email |
I’m a biologist with a strong approach towards conservation, molecular biology, climate change and science-policies articulation for sustainable development. My research has focused on marine and coastal ecosystems, mainly seagrasses, from blue carbon quantification to conservation genetics. During my M.Sc. in marine biology at National University of Colombia, the grants I was awarded brought me the opportunity to become part of worldwide communities such as National Geographic Explorers and UNESCO’s IberoMAB Youth Network, and participate in international events that gave me a wide view of the importance of research, local communities’ empowering and effective decision making to consolidate solid governance at different scales.
Throughout my professional career, I have planned and executed different R+D+I projects, working hand by hand with local communities, government, academia, private sector, NGOs and international cooperants. Between 2018 and 2023, in my role as Advisor on Strategic Ecosystems at the Colombian Ocean Commission, I consolidated a national strategy of marine scientific expeditions for the management of biosphere reserves and MPAs, supported the creation and implementation of national marine policy documents such as the CONPES 3990, and produced advising about Colombia’s position at international scenarios such as IOC, CBD, UNESCO’s MAB Programme and the Ocean Decade. Therefore, my efforts have focused on enhancing the appropriate management of our seas, facilitating the accomplishment of national policies and SDGs.
From a point of view of a governmental advisor, researcher, young environmental leader and explorer, I have experimented the need of a stronger national and regional management of our marine-coastal environments. This has been a motivation to seek practical solutions adjusted to the different realities of the communities, as well as to take science beyond academic and inaccessible results, to generate real actions and decisions for the benefit of people and nature.
Recent funded projects (last 10 years)
- 2022-2024: Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Colombia) – Colombian Ocean Commission (Colombia) – Corporation Centre of Excellence in Marine Sciences CEMarin (Colombia). Special Cooperation Agreement 026-2022 Seaflower Marine Scientific Expedition 2022, East Southeast Cays. £71K. Project coordinator. Total budget of the expedition £387K.
- 2022: National Geographic Society Pristine Seas (US) – Colombian Ocean Commission (Colombia). Memorandum of Understanding Pristine Seas Expedition Colombia. £M. International planning and coordination.
- 2021-2023: Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Colombia) – Colombian Ocean Commission (Colombia) – National University (Colombia). Special Cooperation Agreement 248-2021 Seaflower Marine Scientific Expedition 2021, Bajo Nuevo Cays and Old Providence & Santa Catalina. £75K. Project coordinator. Total budget of the expedition £401K.
- 2021-2022: Ministry of National Defense (Colombia) – Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development – Colombian Ocean Commission (Colombia). Seaflower Plus Marine Expedition 2021. £34K. Project intersectoral coordinator. Total budget of the expedition £753K.
- 2019-2022: Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Colombia) – Colombian Ocean Commission (Colombia) – Government of San Andres (Colombia) – National University (Colombia). Special Cooperation Agreement 760-2019 and Contract 5228 Seaflower Marine Scientific Expedition 2019, Old Providence & Santa Catalina. £160K. Project coordinator. Total budget of the expedition £860K.
- 2018-2019: Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Colombia) – Colombian Ocean Commission (Colombia) – Government of San Andres (Colombia) – Tecnalia Foundation (Colombia). Special Cooperation Agreement 1001561-2018 and Contract 5228 Seaflower Marine Scientific Expedition 2018, South Southwest Cays. £54K. Project coordinator. Total budget of the expedition £555K.
- 2018-2021: UNESCO Young Scientists Awards (France) – National Geographic Society Early Career Grant (US) – Rufford Small Grant (UK) – National University (Colombia). Genetic structure and connectivity of Thalassia testudinum in Colombian Caribbean oceanic and continental environments. £22K. M.Sc. Project leader.
Technical reports
Seaflower Scientific Expedition 2022 – East Southeast Cays (2022). Special Cooperation Agreement 026-2022 Minciencias-CCO-CEMarin. Preliminary report.
Seaflower Scientific Expedition 2021 – Bajo Nuevo Cays and Old Providence & Santa Catalina (2022). Special Cooperation Agreement 248-2021 Minciencias-CCO-UNAL. Preliminary report.
Seaflower Scientific Expedition 2019 – Old Providence & Santa Catalina (2022). Special Cooperation Agreement 760-2019 Minciencias-CCO-CEMarin. Final report.
Seaflower Scientific Expedition 2018 – South Southwest Cays (2019). Special Cooperation Agreement 1001561-2018 Minciencias-CCO-Tecnalia. Final report.
Seaflower Scientific Expedition 2017 – Serranilla Cays (2019). Special Cooperation Agreement 1001068-2017 Minciencias-CCO-Tecnalia. Final report.