Octavio Aburto is a Full Professor at Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO), a professional photographer associate with the International League of Conservation Photographers, and a National Geographic Explorer. Octavio obtained his PhD at the Center of Marine Biodiversity and Conservation at SIO, and was awarded the Jean Fort Award by the University of California, San Diego, for his significant contribution to an issue of public concern through his doctoral research. He is a Katerhyn Fuller Fellow, WWF-Science Program in 2010, was awarded the Conservation of Nature prize by the Mexican Ministry of the Environment – CONANP in 2014, received a Hellman Fellowship, for a Junior Faculty Research Project in 2015, and is part of the PEW Marine Fellows since 2019. His research and photographs have focused on marine reserves and commercially exploited marine species and their fisheries in Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and the U.S. His photographs have been part of several conservation projects worldwide and have won international photography contests.

Fabio Favoretto, PhD. is a marine ecologist with a specialization in data science and remote sensing technologies applied to the marine environment. He is a Post Doc at Aburto Lab, researching topics that aim to bridge the technology gap between stakeholders and science. His interests are habitat dynamics and the ecosystem services they provide.

Alberto Rivera is a current Master of Science candidate studying larval thermal tolerance and oxygen respiration at the University of San Diego. After studying at Tufts University, Alberto worked as a lead educator in Los Angeles and New York City helping students from underserved communities get into great high schools. Now, he helps manage Aburto Lab projects and tasks. Alberto lives by a mantra to always have purpose beyond oneself.

Nicole is currently an educator and program manager for Research Scholars, Marine Science at UCSD Extended Studies and is formally trained as a marine biologist studying deep sea connectivity and biodiversity.

Sonya Timko, M.S., is a Ph.D. student at Scripps Institution of Oceanography using infrared technology to research thermal ecology in crabs. She is an instructional assistant for SIO/UCSD classes, has taught for UC San Diego, Division of Extended Studies Pre-College Programs for 6 years and currently leads the Marine Science Division of Research Scholars. Sonya is also co-founder of Venture Unified, which is an immersive, gamified platform for STEAM lessons.

Cassie Wallner is a third year marine biology undergraduate student with a minor in climate change studies and has been a volunteer with the Aburto Lab for 2 years. She is currently volunteering on the Redfaro Project and MPA literature review projects. Cassie is extremely passionate about marine conservation and mitigating climate change impacts on a global scale, as well as promoting environmental justice initiatives. Some of her favorite hobbies include scuba diving, photography, and aviation (flying planes).