Maria Linares

Colombian marine biologist restoring Caribbean coral reefs through citizen science

Maria Linares (b. 1987) is a Colombian marine biologist whose Coral Action Network has restored 250+ hectares of coral reefs in the Caribbean. Her 2015 invention of ReefPods - biodegradable structures that accelerate coral growth - increased reef recovery rates by 400%. Linares' National Geographic-supported program trains local fisherfolk as 'coral gardeners,' creating 1,200+ jobs in coastal communities.

Her 2018 Project CoralDNA mapped genetic diversity of Caribbean corals, identifying heat-resistant strains critical for climate adaptation. This research was published in Nature Scientific Reports and adopted by UNESCO's Marine Heritage Initiative. Linares' Coral Classroom program educates 50,000+ students annually through VR simulations of underwater ecosystems.

In 2021, she pioneered the Blue Carbon Credits system, monetizing carbon sequestration by restored mangroves. This initiative funded the first coral reef insurance policy for Panama's Bocas del Toro archipelago. Linares' TEDx talk 'Rebuilding Oceans, One Reef at a Time' has over 1.8M views. Her UN Environment partnership expanded reef restoration to Belize and Honduras. Named 'Young Champion of the Earth' by UNEP in 2020, her work demonstrates how community-driven science can combat ocean degradation.