Carmen Chávez is a tropical biologist who began her professional career participating in research projects at Cocha Cashu Biological Station in Peru’s Manú National Park. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in biological sciences at the National University of San Antonio Abad in Cusco and her master’s in biology from Wake Forest University. Her research focused on the geographical distribution of the genus Hedyosmum along the altitudinal gradient of the Kosñipata Valley and the ecology of beetles in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. She worked at Harvard University’s Museum of Comparative Zoology, where she contributed to the installation of permanent exhibitions and worked on a complete insect inventory of the Boston Harbor Islands. With her extensive field experience and passion for the conservation, Chávez joined the ACEER Foundation in 2009 as university extension coordinator, and currently serves as director of their Peru programs.
DaVida Alston-Smith brings to National Geographic Learning over 25 years of experience as a transformational educator, leading both Districts and Schools in the United States and internationally. DaVida’s career as an educator spans across teaching positions as both an Elementary and Middle School Special Education Teacher, Teacher Leaderships roles, District Level Leadership positions, High School Vice Principal, and Leadership experiences in the UAE as Director of Elementary and Academic Vice Principal (K-12). Earning a Master’s Degree in Education and a Specialist in Educational Leadership, DaVida’s vast experiences include curriculum development, building capacity among teachers through research-based professional development, and producing positive outcomes for students through instructional practices based on student data, critical thinking, and building real-world application for students.
