Ana K CELIS

I am an archaeologist and coastal oceanographer, interested in the preservation of the natural and cultural heritage of the caves of the Yucatán Peninsula. As a fellow at the Smithsonian Institution (STRI Panama), I developed a strong commitment to generating positive social impacts through my profession. I have worked for non-profit organizations, government agencies, and the private sector in the fields of terrestrial and underwater archaeology, marine and subterranean ecosystem conservation, and cave and cenote monitoring. In 2022, I founded Karst Lab México with the vision of integrating scientific, educational, and community-based solutions for the conservation of subterranean ecosystems. In 2024, I became a Fulbright Fellow in the Hubert H. Humphrey Program and a founding member of the Mexico-United States Binational Working Group on the Protection of Karst Resources. As Secretary of the Biology Commission of the International Union of Speleology (UIS), I advocate to raise awareness on cave biodiversity and subterranean ecosystems conservation.