Sofia Sanchez

Colombian marine biologist leading coral restoration efforts in the Caribbean, developing heat-resistant coral strains to combat climate change.

Sofia Sanchez (b. 1990) is transforming marine conservation through her work at the Caribbean Coral Restoration Initiative. A University of the Andes graduate, she pioneered the development of heat-tolerant coral strains to protect reefs from climate change impacts. Her team's breakthrough came in 2020 with the creation of 'Corales Resistentes' - corals genetically modified to survive ocean warming.

Working with local communities in Colombia's Rosario Islands, Sanchez implemented the world's first large-scale deployment of these corals in 2022. The project has already seen 90% survival rates in test sites where traditional corals died within months. Her methods are now being replicated in Panama and the Bahamas.

Sanchez also co-founded the Marine Citizens Network, training 2,000+ volunteers in coral monitoring. Her TED Talk 'Saving the Caribbean's Corals in a Warming World' has become a key resource for marine conservationists globally.

Her recent collaboration with NASA involves using satellite data to map coral health across the Caribbean. This work was featured in the BBC documentary 'Reefs of Resilience' (2023), showcasing her groundbreaking methods to millions worldwide.