A life shaped by the sea: the path of a South American woman scientist

Abstract

Despite working in science for more than 30 years, I still feel excitement when answering questions such as where a fish was born, what route a migratory fish takes through the Southwestern Atlantic or La Plata Basin, or when tracking the journey of invasive species like salmonids in South America and understanding their distribution in Patagonian rivers and lakes.Throughout my career, I have played an active role in training young scientists and building an interdisciplinary research team. I have encouraged my students to engage in scientific networks that provide a broader geographical and temporal understanding of fish movements across a continent as biodiverse as South America.My advice to students is to never settle for what they learn in their laboratories. They should take advantage of opportunities to connect with researchers from around the world, apply for scholarships and funding, and never lose their curiosity to learn. Those who dare to develop new methodologies to solve emerging problems, think creatively, work collaboratively, and step out of their comfort zones. Marine sciences in South America still face many challenges, and the future is in the hands of those who dare to seek new solutions.