About me

I am currently a Scientific Researcher at the Center for Socio-Ecological Studies and Global Change of the Humboldt Institute. With a Master’s degree in Electronics Engineering and a Doctorate degree in Life Sciences, I am dedicated to develop smart tools for biodiversity conservation, particularly in tropical ecosystems. My expertise spans signal processing, machine learning, acoustics, and ecology. Over the past decade, my research has focused on developing innovative tools for quantitatively analyzing ecosystems through the lens of acoustics. This work involves proactive engagement with ecologists, sociologists and local communities to ensure the conservation of biodiversity while accommodating the developmental needs of socio-ecological systems.

Research

Focus areas

• Passive acoustic monitoring for biodiversity conservation Leveraging passive acoustic monitoring techniques to assess and preserve biodiversity, capturing the natural soundscapes of ecosystems to better understand species presence, behavior, and overall ecosystem status.

• Machine learning for field audio analysis: Develop analytical machine learning pipelines to process extensive field audio recordings. These tools streamline data processing, enabling efficient analysis of large datasets and providing critical insights into biodiversity patterns and trends.

• Implementation of community-based monitoring programs: Collaborating with local communities to design monitoring programs that engage and empower local communities in the management and governance of their natural resources. These programs build local capacity, integrate traditional ecological knowledge, and promote sustainable conservation practices.

• General application of AI for biodiversity conservation: Promote networks of collaboration that bring together diverse expertise, enabling the development of AI-driven solutions for monitoring, managing, and preserving biodiversity on a global scale. These innovative tools drive more effective conservation outcomes by combining ecological insight with advanced data analysis.

Publications

For an updated list of publications, please check my Google Scholar or ORCID profiles.

Scientific projects

• Ecoacoustics Colombian Network: Strengthen the interdisciplinary network of researchers and collaborators committed to exploring the intersection between acoustics and ecology, amplifying knowledge about the relationship between sound and the natural environment. Role: Coordinator (2020-present). See REC web page.
• Machine listening to monitor climate change impacts on neotropical amphibians: Develop a cloud-based machine learning system to screen passive acoustic recordings and identify neotropical amphibian species. Funded by GEO-Microsoft Planetary Computer Programme. Role: Principal Investigator (2022-2023). See GEO 2023 Report, page 41.
• ¿How does my city sound? Soundscapes from your window: Community Science Initiative Launched Amid COVID-19 to Study Urbanization’s Impact on Soundscape. Funded by the Instituto Humboldt. Role: Principal Investigator (2020-2021). See book chapter.
• scikit-maad: An open-source and modular toolbox for quantitative soundscape analysis in Python. Role: Core developper (2017-present). See web page.

Artistic projects

• Crepusculario: This artistic project fosters a deep reconnection with biodiversity through attentive listening, inviting participants to use sound to experience and remember our connection to the living world. By sharing the wonder of field recording, it highlights our integral role within nature’s fabric and our need to cherish and protect it.

Skills

Skilled in coordinating projects at the intersection of artificial intelligence and biodiversity monitoring, with a focus on implementing passive acoustic monitoring systems to analyze ecological soundscapes and design ecological indicators using machine learning models.

• Programming Languages: Python, R, MatLab
• Data analysis and visualization: Pandas, NumPy, Matplotlib, R, ggplot2
• Machine Learning: scikit-learn, Pytorch, Keras
• Cloud Computing: Microsoft Azure
• Language proficiency: Fluent in English, Spanish, and French