About Nathalia
Environmental scientist (PhD) with 10+ years of experience working across marine and coastal systems, climate resilience, and nature-based solutions. My work spans applied research, environmental consulting, and ecosystem restoration projects across the Middle East and the Caribbean.
I specialize in translating science into practical, scalable solutions, with expertise in marine and coastal ecosystems, microbial ecology, environmental monitoring, and nature-based solutions. I have led and contributed to multidisciplinary projects most recently at NEOM, bridging research, implementation, and impact, and have collaborated with academic, government, and industry partners across the USA, Europe, and the Middle East.
In addition to research and implementation, I have worked as a scientific advisor and marine subject matter expert, translating complex environmental data into clear, engaging narratives and interactive formats to support science communication, strategic advisory work, and stakeholder engagement.
My work has been recognized through international awards, including the BCG V60 Women in the Middle East for climate action and sustainability. I have authored and co-authored 15+ peer-reviewed publications and continue to explore new applications for ecosystem rehabilitation and climate adaptation.
Actively looking for applied science projects in marine, coastal, and climate-focused environments.
Spanish
Native or bilingual
English
Fluent
Portuguese
Conversational
Can work on-site
Abu Dhabi (up to 50km)
Experience
- NEOMMarine Biology ManagerENVIRONMENTALFebruary 2025 - October 2025 (8 months)Driving coral conservation and biodiversity protection at NEOM through science-based management, environmental compliance and strategic partnerships.- Lead marine ecology surveys and biodiversity assessments to meet licensing, permitting, and regulatory standards.- Oversee ecological monitoring, compliance, and biodiversity survey plans, ensuring timely, high-quality delivery.- Provide technical expertise on coral ecology, impact analysis, mitigation measures, and environmental guidelines.- Biodiversity strategies for no-net loss and net gain goals.- Oversee coral relocation programs to meet NEOM’s biodiversity goals, including the development of the Coral Relocation Standard and best practices- Provide scientific advisory, facilitate research permits, and build collaborations with universities and research institutions to advance coral conservation and monitoring.
- New York University Abu DhabiPostdoctoral AssociateRESEARCHSeptember 2024 - Today (1 year and 9 months)Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesConducted research to identify thermally tolerant corals in the Arabian Gulf. Ideation and planning of comprehensive restoration strategies for coral rehabilitation, integrating innovative methodologies to enhance ecosystem resilience.
- King Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyMarine Environmental Scientist (Ph.D.)RESEARCHJune 2020 - July 2024 (4 years and 2 months)Thuwal, Saudi ArabiaPioneered the development of coral probiotics for prevention and restoration applications in coral reef ecosystems, including the first in situ application of a a patented probiotic consortium in the Red Sea. Advanced coral microbiology research encompassing metabolomics, microbiome composition, and microbial ecology. Presented groundbreaking results on coral probiotics at prominent international conferences, such as ICRS (Bremen-Germany), ISME (Geneva-Switzerland), and APCRS (Singapore). Recognized with several awards, including Boston Consulting Group V60 Women in the Middle East for outstanding contributions to climate action and sustainability (2024), the KAUST Academic Achievement Award (2021–2022) for academic excellence during my PhD studies, and the National award of Innovation and Entrepreneurship awarded by Ecopetrol SA., the largest oil and gas company in Colombia (2016). Actively participated in coral reef restoration projects and workshops in the Red Sea and the Maldives.
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Education
- Ph.D. in Marine ScienceKing Abdullah University of Science and Technology2024Pioneered the development of coral probiotics for prevention and restoration applications in coral reef ecosystems, including the first in situ application of a probiotic consortium in the Red Sea, under the supervision of Prof. Raquel Peixoto. Advanced coral microbiology research encompassing metabolomics, microbiome composition, and microbial ecology. Presented groundbreaking results on coral probiotics at prominent international conferences, such as ICRS and APCRS. Recognized with an award for outstanding academic performance during PhD studies in 2021. Actively participated in coral reef restoration projects and workshops in the Red Sea and the Maldives.
- Master in Environmental Science and EngineeringKing Abdullah University of Science and Technology2020Developed and executed a collaborative research project with Aarhus University, Denmark, investigating the physiological responses of novel hydrocarbon-degrading bacteriam under the supervision of Prof. Daniele Daffonchio and Alberto Scoma. Conducted laboratory work utilizing advanced techniques, including hydrostatic pressure chambers, to simulate and maintain bacterial growth under extreme deep-sea conditions.