Alejandro Jose Paredes, MA
University of Florida
Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
Home Country: Honduras

Alejandro is currently enrolled in the Masters of Science Wildlife Ecology and Conservation program. Alejandro earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the National University of Honduras. His academic interests include developing simulation and models using elements of artificial intelligence for forecasting environmental impacts on wildlife habitats and populations, economic and technological aspects of sustainable development, clean technologies especially for energy production and conservation. Alejandro worked as an environmental analyst at the Honduran Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources and natural history coordinator in RARE Center’s Nature Guide Training Program. He was a field coordinator and fauna researcher (amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals) in several bioprospecting expeditions in Honduran protected areas, including the coastal areas of La Mosquitia. He has volunteered for several conservation projects: field coordinator in Hawksbill turtle recovery program, participant member in programs for determing human use of marine resources and coral reef monitoring surveys in Cayos Cochinos Reserve. Alejandro is a member of local environmentalist group, which main activities included: airing weekly radio eco-shows, nature photography and production of ecotourism related articles for local newspapers. Alejandro’s research aims focuses on the significance of hydrological fluctuations on Central American freshwater wetlands for conservation of wildlife species by using a large Jabiru stork, an indicator species. Most of the research has been done in Belize where many wetlands are currently being altered by human settlements. The development of cities north and south of these wetland areas threaten the integrity of critical ecosystems. His long-term goal is to strengthen biodiversity conservation in the region through scientific research, community based activities, education and policymaking.