Paulina Alejandra Vergara Buitrago is a PhD candidate in Natural Resources Science and Management and MGIS student at the University of Minnesota whose passion for geospatial technologies emerged while studying Environmental Engineering in Colombia, where she researched how land-use changes were impacting the vital Paramo nature perserve ecosystems that sustain local communities. Through her doctoral work analyzing two decades of land cover changes in the Rabanal páramo, she has demonstrated how GIS and remote sensing serve as bridges connecting science, policy, and local knowledge to guide sustainable conservation decisions. Paulina has witnessed firsthand how communities rely on traditional knowledge to manage natural resources, often without formal recognition, which has shaped her commitment to integrating local expertise with scientific data through tools like participatory mapping, 3D modeling, and ecosystem monitoring. Her vision is to use geospatial technology to empower communities, protect biodiversity, monitor ecosystem services, and improve equitable access to natural resources in ways that benefit both people and the environment. Paulina is dedicated to creating a more inclusive geospatial industry by mentoring underrepresented students, promoting community-driven approaches, and amplifying local voices in environmental research and decision-making.
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