JIMENA MONTANE AZPIRI
University of Manchester, Central European University, Lund University, M.Sc., Environmental Science, Policy and Management
University of Veracruz, B.Sc., Biology

While conducting her undergraduate studies, Jimena focused mostly on environmental education— specifically water management, ecosystem services, and waste management. Later, in graduate school, she spent two years living and studying in different countries, including Hungary, Greece, UK, and South Africa. She conducted her dissertation research in rural communities neighboring Kruger National Park in South Africa, studying usage and trade of fuel wood among communities, traveling around the country, enjoying its vast wildlife, and getting immersed in its complex conservation challenges. Jimena then spent a year working at the Ramsar Convention Secretariat in Switzerland, and two years working in ecotourism and experiential education projects throughout Mexico. Currently she designs and leads experiential and outdoor education expeditions, and collaborates in ecotourism projects in rural and indigenous communities in Mexico. She’s an outdoor and conservation enthusiast, animal lover, and voracious traveler. She is fluent in Spanish and English, and proficient in French.

LUCAS NOCERA
Hofstra University, B.A., Psychology, concentration in Pre-Medicine, minor in Neuroscience

Born in Argentina and raised in the United States, Lucas has always enjoyed the experience and study of culture and languages. He has backpacked across Costa Rica, Argentina, and Canada; and while at Hofstra, he completed a thesis studying the differences in cognitive functions between monolingual and bilingual populations. During his senior year, Lucas became very involved with his university’s anthropology department, studying Native American cultures across Latin America, teaching a class on human evolution, and helping out in Hofstra’s Center for Public Archaeology. After graduating he returned home to Massachusetts to work at Whitney Academy, a residential program and school for adolescent boys who have suffered neglect and abuse. Lucas hopes to return to school to pursue a master’s in psychology and become a therapist for adolescents and young adults. Raised bilingual, he is fluent in English and Spanish.