Dr. Erika Cuellar Soto is a Bolivian conservation biologist renowned for her pioneering work in biodiversity preservation and community-based environmental stewardship. With a Ph.D. in Zoology from Oxford University and an MSc in Conservation Biology from Kent University, her career spans over two decades across South America, the Middle East, and beyond. She is currently an Assistant Professor at Sultan Qaboos University, Oman, where she combines field-based research, remote sensing technologies, and citizen science in her teaching.

Dr. Cuellar has received numerous accolades, including the Rolex Award for Enterprise, the Whitley Award for Nature, and recognition as a National Geographic Emerging Explorer. Her research has advanced understanding of species conservation, invasive species management, and dry forest ecosystems, notably leading to the naming of a mammal species—Ctenomys erikacuellarae—in her honour.

A committed advocate for community empowerment, she co-developed a parabiologist training model and authored a manual to support grassroots conservation efforts. With over 70 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, Dr. Cuellar’s work has been featured by CNN, BBC, National Geographic, and The Guardian. She serves on various international conservation panels, including IUCN specialist groups, and leads research on urban biodiversity, bird ecology, and microplastic pollution in Oman. Her work bridges academic excellence with societal impact, inspiring global audiences in conservation science and education.

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