Ph.D Alba Calles Procel is a biologist, principal lecturer and researcher at the Faculty of Maritime Engineering and Marine Sciences at ESPOL University. She received a PhD degree from Ghent University, Belgium. Alba participated in projects on public conservation policies of Ecuadorian mangroves. She has been leading the community project for the sustainable management in the cultivation of bio-aquatic species in the mangroves of the Gulf of Guayaquil. Her research focus is on benthos biodiversity as an indicator for environmental impact. She was director of the aquaculture and marine research center (CENAIM) of ESPOL University and member of the ecology and biological advisory group within the CBD marine, coastal and island biodiversity team.