PRESENTING
TTMA Breakfast Club | Thursday, April 24, 2025

Sandra Schleier Hernández is a marine biologist and environmental scientist with extensive experience in coral reef restoration, coastal ecology, and environmental education. She holds a Master of Science in Ecology and Ecosystem Science from the University of Rhode Island and a Bachelor’s in Coastal Marine Biology from the University of Puerto Rico, Humacao.

Her work spans marine, estuarine, and terrestrial ecosystems. As a contractor for the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) in Puerto Rico, she leads vessel grounding response strategies and contributes to marine policy development. She has conducted coral reef restoration research across six Caribbean nations and played a key role in assessing coral damage and developing conservation strategies. In terrestrial ecology, Sandra has researched the impact of urban nutrients on mangrove forests, studied rainforest ecosystems, and worked on phenotypic plasticity in amphibians in Panama.

Beyond research, she has dedicated herself to environmental education, coordinating large-scale citizen science projects and community cleanups as Program Coordinator for Scuba Dogs Society. She co-produces and hosts the "Informe 940" science and environmental segment on WIPR channel 6, writes for various science communication platforms, and regularly appears in the media to advocate for conservation.

Sandra has successfully secured funding for multiple conservation initiatives, including grants from NOAA and Ocean Conservancy. With expertise in both marine and terrestrial ecosystems, she is a passionate advocate for Puerto Rico’s natural resources, from coral reefs to rainforests.