Leonardo (Leo) Calzada

Project (Working) Title: Mapping Fishing Communities
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kevin St. Martin

Leonardo (Leo) is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Geography at Rutgers University–New Brunswick, and a National Geographic Explorer. He completed his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Biological Sciences at the National Autonomous University of Mexico.

Leo has several years of professional working experience serving as both a technical and field assistant, a Spatial Modeling Specialist for Mexico City Secretary of the Environment, a Cartographer for the national Biodiversity Commission (CONABIO), and most recently, as Deputy Director of Biosafety Communication for the Mexican Biosafety Commission (CIBIOGEM)- National Council for Science and Technology. 

Leo research focuses on analyzing the relationship between environmental change and local governance transformation in regions undergoing development interventions. He combines land systems sciences and political ecology to study how 'communities at sea' adapt to climate-induced marine changes, infrastructure projects, and public policy, exploring new forms of marine governance.