Alicia Pérez-Porro facts for kids

Alicia R. Pérez-Porro was born in Barcelona, Spain, in 1981. She is a Spanish marine biologist. This means she studies living things in the ocean. Alicia is an expert in marine sponges, which are simple sea animals. She is also an environmentalist, working to protect our planet. Since 2018, she has been the leader of a group called the Association of Spanish Scientists in the United States (ECUSA). Through this role, she helps women in science achieve top positions.

Alicia's Journey in Science

Alicia Pérez-Porro earned her PhD in Biology from the University of Barcelona. For her PhD, she studied the ecology (how living things interact with their environment) and genomics (the study of genes) of marine sponges. She did this research at the Center for Advanced Studies in Blanes and at Harvard University. She also has a Master's degree in Biodiversity from the Autonomous University of Barcelona.

In 2004, Alicia received a special scholarship. This allowed her to study marine sponges at the University of Costa Rica. This became her main area of research. She focuses on how climate change affects marine sponges living in coral reefs. She also studies how these sponges can adapt to a changing ocean.

Alicia is very active in fighting against plastic waste in the sea. In 2018, she wrote several articles about this issue for a digital newspaper. Today, she teaches Environmental Sciences at Baruch College in New York. She also works as a research associate at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C. This museum is part of the Smithsonian Institution.

Leading Women in Science

In 2017, Alicia was chosen for an exciting trip to Antarctica. She joined three other Spanish scientists on this expedition. It was part of a program called Homeward Bound. This program helps women in science and technology become leaders. Over one thousand women have participated to work together against climate change. Alicia is also part of the leadership team for the 500 Women Scientists initiative. This group supports women in science around the world.

Alicia Pérez-Porro is the president of the Network of Associations of Spanish Researchers and Scientists Abroad (RAICEX). Since March 2019, she has also led the Association of Spanish Scientists in the United States (ECUSA). She started the Women in Science Commission (MECUSA) within ECUSA. This group works to promote and highlight the important role of women in science.

Awards and Recognition

In 2018, Alicia received a special award. It was the Gold Medal of the Red Cross and the Spanish Red Crescent. She received this award with her three teammates from the Homeward Bound expedition. Their names are Ana Payo Payo, Uxua López, and Alexandra Dubini.

That same year, she was named a Women inPower Fellow. This award recognizes women who are strong leaders. In 2019, she was selected to be a scholar at the Aspen Ideas Festival. This is a big event where people discuss important ideas.

See also

In Spanish: Alicia Pérez-Porro para niños