I’m Charlene Pérez Santos, a Wildlife and Marine Biologist with an M.S. in Fisheries, Wildlife & Conservation Science, specializing in wildlife ecology, endangered species conservation, and habitat management across terrestrial, coastal, and marine ecosystems. My experience spans marine mammal research, satellite telemetry, avian monitoring, amphibian conservation, and biodiversity assessments. Currently, I lead conservation efforts for threatened and endangered wildlife in Puerto Rico, integrating field research, ecological data analysis, and science-based habitat management to support species recovery. I’m bilingual (Spanish/English) and passionate about translating scientific research into practical conservation strategies through interdisciplinary collaboration, community engagement, and partnerships.

My journey in wildlife conservation began with a passion for marine life and a desire to better understand the relationships between wildlife, ecosystems, and human activities. This interest led me to pursue a NOAA IN-FISH internship, where I contributed to fisheries-related research and gained valuable experience working with scientists and conservation professionals. The connections and opportunities I developed through NOAA eventually led me to the NOAA Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center (LMRCSC) Fellowship, which supported my graduate studies and marine mammal research.

Throughout my academic journey, I actively pursued opportunities to gain hands-on experience across different ecosystems and wildlife disciplines. In Puerto Rico, I volunteered with the Manatee Conservation Center and participated in coral reef monitoring, light pollution assessments, aquaponics research, and community-based conservation initiatives. Through my work with Para La Naturaleza, I contributed to coral monitoring and health assessments using benthic imagery and ecological data analysis. These experiences strengthened my appreciation for the interconnectedness of terrestrial, coastal, and marine environments.

I later pursued my M.S. in Fisheries, Wildlife & Conservation Science at Oregon State University, conducting my thesis research with the Ocean Ecology Lab at the Marine Mammal Institute. My research focused on humpback whale movements and interactions with vessel traffic in Pacific Mexico, using satellite telemetry, vessel tracking data, and spatial analysis to identify potential ship-strike risk hotspots and inform conservation management. I also conducted fieldwork in Bahía de Banderas, Mexico, gaining experience in marine mammal research techniques and collaborative field investigations.

As part of my graduate training, I completed a NOAA Experiential Research and Training Opportunity (NERTO) at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center in La Jolla, California. There, I participated in the 2024 California Current Cetacean and Ecosystem Assessment Survey, contributing to marine mammal observations, acoustic monitoring, environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling, and photo-identification. These experiences reinforced my commitment to rigorous scientific research and its application to wildlife conservation.

Today, my work has expanded beyond marine ecosystems into terrestrial wildlife conservation and endangered species recovery. I currently serve as the Wildlife and Marine Biologist for the Distrito de Conservación de Suelos y Agua del Este (DCSAE) in Puerto Rico, where I also serve as Project Biologist for a collaborative conservation initiative with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). This project focuses on protecting two threatened and endangered species: the Puerto Rican rock frog (Eleutherodactylus cooki), locally known as the coquí guajón, and the Puerto Rican plain pigeon (Patagioenas inornata wetmorei), or paloma sabanera.

In this role, I conduct wildlife surveys, biodiversity assessments, habitat evaluations, and conservation planning while collaborating with private landowners, government agencies, and conservation organizations. I also provide technical assistance to USDA-NRCS soil conservationists, conservation planners, and Technical Service Providers to support wildlife habitat management and conservation practices across Puerto Rico. My work includes avian monitoring, ecological restoration recommendations, and community education to strengthen local conservation efforts.

Beyond fieldwork and research, I have remained actively involved in scientific communication and collaboration. In 2026, I served as Exhibitor Coordinator and Opening/Closing Entertainment Coordinator for the Society for Marine Mammalogy's Biennial Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I also continue contributing to international marine mammal conservation discussions, including work connected to the International Whaling Commission's Conservation Management Plan for Central American humpback whales.

From studying humpback whales in the Pacific Ocean to protecting endangered birds and amphibians in Puerto Rico, my journey continues to evolve around one central goal: using science, collaboration, and community engagement to make a meaningful difference in wildlife conservation. I believe effective conservation requires understanding not only the species we aim to protect, but also the ecosystems and communities that share their habitats.