Tewksbury is an ecologist, evolutionary and conservation biologist. He holds a PhD in Organismal Biology and Ecology from the University of Montana (2000) and served as Professor of Natural History at the University of Washington (2003-2012). Tewksbury launched the Luc Hoffman Institute in Switzerland and founded Anthropocene Magazine. Most recently, he directed the Colorado Global Hub of Future Earth.

Deputy Director

Sanjur graduated from the University of Panama in 1991 and completed her Ph.D. in molecular biology at Rutgers University in 1998. She served as the president of the Panamanian Association for the Advancement of Science from 2006 to 2009. Her duties include maintaining a high standard of operational support for STRI researchers.

Saltonstall is a molecular ecologist with research interests in ecological genetics and genomics.  She earned her BA in Biology from Wellesley College in 1992, Masters in Forest Science from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies in 1996, and PhD in Ecology and Environmental Biology from Yale University in 2002.   Her work uses molecular tools to study a variety of topics, including phylogeography, landscape genetics, invasion biology, and conservation genetics.

McMillan earned his Ph.D. from the University of Hawaii and did postdoctoral research at University College London. His active research program in ecological and evolutionary functional genomics focuses on: i) butterfly wing color pattern variation, ii) plasticity and adaptation in population resilience, and iii) adaptation and speciation in coral reef fishes. McMillan also stewards STRI’s vibrant and diverse academic community.

Guardia completed her B.S. at Boston University and her MBA at Nova University in Miami. Before joining STRI, Guardia held positions at Chase Manhattan Bank, Dell, Pedregal Power Company (El Paso), and Panama’s Banking Oversight Board. Guardia oversees the following STRI’s functions: finance, accounting, IT, procurement, safety, visitor office and administration of facilities.

McMillan has spent more than 15 years fundraising for nonprofit organizations. Before joining STRI, she was a senior advancement officer for the Smithsonian Under Secretary of Science. Splitting her time between Washington and Panama, McMillan helps build STRI’s international advisory board, increases fundraising and expands STRI’s long-term advancement goals.

Ramírez Blázquez has a legal and political science degree from Panama’s Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua, a masters degree in law from Tulane University and an MBA from the Universidad Latinoamericana de Ciencias y Tecnología. He joined STRI as legal counsel in 2004 and currently oversees legal and external affairs.

Dutari holds a bachelor’s in science and chemical engineering from Louisiana State University and a Master’s in International Business Management from the University of London. Before joining STRI, she was a global communications advisor at ExxonMobil in Washington, D.C., and was marketing, corporate affairs and retail manager at Puma Energy in Panama. Dutari heads STRI’s communications and public programs teams.

Saavedra has bachelor’s degrees in biology and computer sciences from St. Edward’s University and an MBA with an emphasis in project management. She held contracts at STRI beginning in 1987 for projects including the Oil Spill Project and the Panama Paleontology Project in 1993. Since 1999, she has served in the office of the Associate Director for Science Administration (ADSA).

Arze is a civil engineer who graduated from the Universidad Federal de Minas Gerais in Brazil and received an M.S. in geotechnical engineering from the University of Illinois. He also did a master’s degree in international relations from the University of Panama. Before joining STRI, he worked in the government and private sector. Arze oversees all STRI’s security and protection operations.