Laura González Gordon
Who I am
Born in Manizales, Colombia, I am passionate about marine megafauna and particularly interested in marine science, bio-acoustics and genetics. I have been a biology student at the Universidad de Caldas in Manizales since 2019 and during this time I’ve been leading the bio-acoustics and eco-acoustics research group and, as a volunteer investigator at R&E Ocean Community Conservation Foundation, conducting research on marine megafauna and working alongside local communities in the Colombian Pacific region, Chocó. As an early-career scientist, since 2022 I have been participating in multiple projects relating to topics such as acoustic diversity in anurans in and around Manizales. And, since January 2024, I have been leading research that aims to assess mammals that have become rare or no longer exist in Colombia. More recently, I began studying humpback whale song and how it changes in duration and composition over three consecutive years as a result of an increase in human activities. Over the course of my career I have made three oral presentations in national conferences such as Colombian Mastozoology and Colombian Bio-acoustics and Eco-acoustics congresses. From my experience so far I have come to understand the need to generate knowledge that will inform conservation and management for the health of our planet.
Where I work
The project is located in the Colombian Pacific region, with a particular focus on Malpelo Island and other locations of the Eastern Tropical Pacific. Malpelo is a remote volcanic island that forms part of a UNESCO biosphere reserve known for its exceptional marine biodiversity. The surrounding waters are an important habitat for a variety of marine megafauna, including sharks, rays and humpback whales. The region’s unique ecological conditions support a diverse marine community. However, this ecosystem faces mounting pressure from human activities, including illegal fishing and increased marine traffic. These factors are impacting the marine species that rely on this environment, sharks and rays in particular. They include the Pacific spotted eagle-ray, an under-researched species from a genetics point of view, which makes it essential to study and monitor it to improve conservation efforts.
What I do
This project focuses on understanding the genetic diversity and population structure of the Vulnerable Pacific spotted eagle-ray around Malpelo Island, Colombia, and in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. Our work involves several key activities that aim to fill critical gaps in our knowledge about this species. Field work began with non-invasive sampling at Malpelo Island, where muscle samples from the eagle-rays were collected by Fundación Malpelo y Otros Ecosistemas Marinos using biopsy techniques. Once the samples have been collected, we process them in the laboratory, starting with DNA extraction and continuing through PCR amplification. The amplified DNA is then sent to Macrogen for sequencing. Sequences obtained from Malpelo are compared with existing haplotypes from the Eastern Tropical Pacific that are available in international databases like NCBI (GenBank). This comparison helps analyse genetic diversity and connectivity within the species. We employ molecular techniques such as the alignment, editing and assembling of sequences to determine genetic diversity indices and phylogroups. In addition, we perform other analyses to understand population structure and assess genetic connectivity. This project concentrates its efforts around Malpelo Island and in the surrounding marine protected areas because of their critical role in conserving the Pacific spotted eagle-ray. These regions provide essential habitat for the species and are situated within key areas. Throughout the project, I collaborate with local researchers, conservationists and stakeholders to ensure that the research aligns with conservation goals. The findings will help inform targeted conservation strategies and provide the foundational knowledge necessary for protecting the Pacific spotted eagle-ray populations in the Colombian Pacific and beyond.