Meeting with MiAmbiente

STRI scientist Héctor Guzmán, met with the Minister of MiAmbiente, Juan Carlos Navarro, the Director of Protected Areas and environmental lawyer Félix Wing to share key knowledge about the conservation of manatees, a protected species in Panama and other countries. This is an important collaboration between science, environment and society.

Fossil hunt at the Gatun Formation

Recently the O'dea Lab team, the University of California-Berkeley, STRI collaborators and invited guests visited the Barriada San Judas, in Sabanitas to explore, collect fossils and do educational activities. It was a great opportunity to connect with the past, learn and be part of a unique experience.

Carlos Jaramillo wins a 2024 Secretary's Research Awards

STRI scientist Carlos Jaramillo has been honored with the 2024 Secretary’s Research Prize for his book, Hace mucho tiempo: Un Viaje Paleontológico Ilustrado de Colombia (A Long Time Ago: A Paleontological Illustrated Journey of Colombia). This award, celebrating exceptional scholarship across the Smithsonian Institution, recognizes recent research excellence. Selected through rigorous peer review by the Smithsonian Congress of Scholars, the recipients are commended for advancing knowledge and inspiring future research.

Q?Bus visits the Tupper Center

The Q?Bus team visited the Corotú Plaza at the Earl S. Tupper Conference and Research Center to present the activities carried out in educational centers and communities nationwide. Attendees at the demonstration table were able to sign up as volunteers for visits during 2025, collaborate in the development of games or educational activities to disseminate research, and even contribute materials that may foster students' curiosity.

Women and Girls in Science Day Celebration at SUMMIT Gardens

STRI representatives participated in the Mentes Brillantes (Bright Minds) event, organized by the Summit Municipal Park’s Administration to celebrate Women and Girls in Science Day. The attendees explored didactic material on marine-coastal ecosystems, replicas and samples of local fauna, as well as technological tools.

LSP fellows’ workshop

A cohort of Smithsonian Life on a Sustainable Planet fellows visited Panama for a two-day workshop at the Biomuseo in Panama City, led by COMPASS Science Communication and hosted by STRI. 

This was the last of a four-part professional development series, focused on Ethical Leadership and Engagement. STRI’s Deputy Director Oris Sanjur gave an introduction on the importance of leadership, and the fellows engaged with experts, including political scientist Luisa Fernanda Castillo, marine biologist Inés López Ercilla, and National Climate Change Director for Panama’s Ministry of Environment Juan Carlos Monterrey. The fellows also got to learn more about Panama and STRI, with a tour of the Biomuseo, a closing reception at STRI’s Punta Culebra Nature Center, and a visit to Barro Colorado Island (BCI) and the Gamboa Lab, where they engaged with STRI’s Office of Public Programs.