Director, Healthy Watersheds

Dr. Maíra Bezerra is a freshwater scientist working with integrated watershed management through the application of the Freshwater Health Index in basins in Latin America and Africa. Her research interests include assessing nature’s vitality and provisioning of ecosystem services. Her research is based on both empirical assessment and hydrological modeling, and she is trained in surface water modeling and terrain analysis using GIS-based software.

Director, Knowledge Management

Dr. Bruno Coutinho is the director of knowledge management for Conservation International (CI) Brazil. Before joining CI, he was a researcher and professor in geoecology and geoprocessing at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. Bruno holds a master's degree in geomorphology and a doctorate in cartography and geoprocessing. Currently, he directs the management of geodata bases and geoinformation for CI-Brazil.

Project Coordinator

Maria Clara Marques is a project coordinator at Conservation International Brazil, where she has coordinated the application of the FHI in the Guandu River basin and has supported new application initiatives. She is a biologist by training and received a master's degree in geography from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, where she conducted research on hydrological behavior on slopes covered with forests and grasses.

Director, Hydroinformatics

Dr. Kashif Shaad leads the effort for developing methods and tools for indicator calculation required for Freshwater Health Index assessments. Kashif is based out of Singapore, and his research interests include building mathematical models and informatics tools for improving water management. A mechanical engineer by training, he also holds a masters in hydroinformatics and a PhD in environmental engineering.

Freshwater Manager, Greater Mekong

Dr. Nick Souter is the Mekong case study manager at Conservation International Cambodia. His areas of expertise are in conservation biology and natural resource management. Previously, he managed Fauna & Flora International’s University Capacity Building Project in partnership with the Royal University of Phnom Penh. He earned his Ph.D. from the Flinders University of South Australia.

Program Manager

Weiling coordinates FHI assessments and promotes its application in the Dongjiang basin in China. Before, she worked for the Foreign Economic Cooperation Office of the Chinese Ministry of Environmental Protection on GEF projects and biodiversity policy research and with the Wildlife Conservation Society to combat wildlife trafficking. She holds an MPhil in Conservation Leadership and an M.S. in Sustainable Development.