Yaliana Chichaco

Yaliana is a Panamanian Marine Biologist with 3+ years of experience in elasmobranch research. In the past, she worked in several roles, including researcher assistant and laboratory technician at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Her primary interests are in using molecular tools to understand the ecology and population structure of endangered marine species.

Her academic path began at the International Maritime University of Panama, after which she continued her training abroad at the University of Southern Mississippi, where she specialized in environmental DNA (eDNA) methodologies.  Following up, she applied these techniques in the detection of largetooth sawfish populations in the Central American region.

Driven by a strong commitment to elasmobranch conservation, Yaliana has collaborated with several non-governmental organizations, including TwinOcean Research, SharkDefenders and Sawfish Conservation Society. Currently she is contributing to conservation initiatives focused in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor.