BLUE RELIGION TEAM

Lucia Baranova

As the founder and director of Blue Religion, Lucia leads with expertise and bold, visionary ideas, driven by a deep love for nature and the ocean. Her main focus is shark conservation, uniting science, education, and community action to protect these vital species. As an expedition leader, photographer, and shark expert, Lucia transforms knowledge into inspiration, empowering others to see the ocean through her eyes - with respect, curiosity, and the passion to protect it.

Sabina Scandolari M.S.

Sabina is a dedicated marine biologist and a key member of Project AMOARA. She brings deep scientific knowledge and a natural ability to connect with children and local communities. Sabina leads engaging educational workshops and works closely with fishing families, inspiring curiosity and positive change. Her warmth, creativity, and commitment make her a vital bridge between people, science, and ocean conservation.

Jana Gombosova

Jana is a nature enthusiast, ocean lover, and talented journalist. In Blue Religion, she plays a key role behind the scenes—managing essential administration, writing our blogs, and taking care of social media. Her storytelling skills and passion for the environment help bring our mission to life and keep our community informed and inspired.

TEAM AMOARA

Dr. Juan Fernando Márquez Farías

Dr. Fernando Márquez-Farías is our esteemed mentor and shark specialist from FACIMAR (Facultad de Ciencias del Mar) at the Autonomous University of Sinaloa. With decades of experience in shark research and fisheries science, Dr. Márquez-Farías provides scientific oversight that ensures our work meets the highest research standards and contributes meaningfully to shark conservation in Mexico.

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Dr. Oscar Zamora

Dr. Óscar Zamora, director of SIRBAA Data, is our sustainable fisheries consultant. His expertise in fisheries management and data analysis helps us translate raw field data into actionable insights, crucial for understanding and protecting shark nursery areas. Through his guidance, the project strengthens its scientific approach to sustainable fisheries and marine conservation.

Antonio Tiscareño Lara

Toni is a beloved local teacher and experienced boat captain whose deep connection to the San Blas community makes him an irreplaceable part of Project AMOARA. His invaluable knowledge of the sea and local waters guides our research team during field expeditions, while his trusted relationships with fishermen and students help bridge science with community collaboration.

Gregory Leconte

Gregory is our Shark Field Coordinator. With a natural talent for fieldwork and a deep passion for the ocean, he plays a key role in our shark research operations along the Nayarit coast.

He assists with tagging strategies and data collection, but his true strength shines on the water - helping our team locate, identify, and safely work with sharks during field expeditions.

Dr. Daniel Carrillo

Dr. Daniel Carrillo brings his expertise in the analysis and processing of fisheries data to Project AMOARA. His experience in shark population studies strengthens the project’s scientific foundation and helps us better understand the species we work to protect.

Team of young research asisstants

amazing team of young ocean enthusiasts! These local children are the heart of our project, assisting us twice a week to collect vital data from fishermen’s catches. Their dedication and passion are truly inspiring as we work together to safeguard shark nursery areas.

POLLUTION PROGRAM TEAM

Bernardo Hautenne

Bernardo is a dedicated environmental activist and the driving force behind our events in Quintana Roo. With a natural talent for organizing and inspiring, he brings people together around conservation and education. Bernardo has a unique gift for motivating others to care for nature and take action, making him an essential part of the Blue Religion team and our outreach efforts.

Adriana Tamargo

Adriana is our ambassador in Puerto Morelos. She's an experienced diving instructor and a dedicated leader. She has done cleanups since she was 8 years old, and now she has created a Community of volunteers in Puerto Morelos. We are proud to have her as one of our coordinators.

Luisa Briceño

Luisa has been running several cleanups over the past few years, and participated in the education program. She is such a great communicator with adults and kids, and she Always makes the events friendly and fun. She's a reliable member of our team, and we are thankful for her great qualities as an event coordinator

Octavio Flores

Octavio Flores is our events photographer and video maker. He is a student in communication and talented photographer. He has been collaborating with Bernardo for many years on documentary & podcast projects, and we are proud to witness his passion and dedication to nature conservation growing with us.