Meet the Team

Octavio Aburto

Principal Investigator

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.

Patricia Fernández

Reporting Coordinator & Impact Communications Specialist

Patricia Fernandez leads program communications and impact strategy for the Gulf of California Marine Program, translating complex marine science into narratives that move funders, policymakers, and the public to action. She supports grant development, program coordination, and the knowledge infrastructure that connects GCMP's science to its real-world outcomes. Patricia brings over a decade of science communication experience across media, nonprofit, and research contexts, with work featured through outlets and organizations including NPR, Scientific American, and a range of local and international conservation nonprofits. She holds a Master's degree in Marine Environment and Resources from the University of the Basque Country, Spain, and works bilingually across GCMP's U.S. and Mexico-facing partnerships.

Alberto Rivera

Researcher/Manager

Alberto Rivera, MSc, and first year PhD student studied 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 lead the Conservation Leadership Program (supported by the California Natural Resources Agency) and pivoted to marine ecological theory research for his PhD. Alberto lives by a mantra to always have purpose beyond oneself.

Rikki Bourg

BS/MS Student

Rikki is a Marine Biology Master's student. Her research focuses on mangrove habitat loss on a watershed level in Northwest Mexico and the resulting economic impacts on local fisheries using a comparative economic analysis. Originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, Rikki had a passion for wetland ecology from a young age, and now is able to continue that in her research today.

Sonya Timko

Educator & PhD Candidate (Taylor Lab)

Sonya Timko, M.S., is a Ph.D. Candidate 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.

Nicole Yen

Educator

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.

Elise Garza

ESYS Senior Intern

Elise is a fourth year Environmental Systems: EBE and International Studies double major. She is doing her ESYS senior internship in the Aburto lab, collaborating with Rikki Bourg's project on dams and mangroves.

Evan Yoon

Undergrad Volunteer

Evan is a third-year marine biology major. He has conducted research on non-extractive marine ecotourism and is helping train a fish identification model.

Megan Kassebaum

Undergrad Volunteer

Megan is a second year Environmental Systems - Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution major. As a volunteer, she helps train a fish identification AI model and is passionate about marine invertebrate behavior, coastal ecology, and birdwatching.

Zinnia Weybright

Undergrad Volunteer

Zinnia is a second-year Marine Biology and Public Policy double major. She enjoys snorkeling in La Jolla and is very passionate about marine conservation efforts. She helps train the AI fish identification model.