NEWS & EVENTS
LATEST NEWS

UNC School of Social Work and USFQ launch social work certificate program in Galapagos
The UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work and the Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) have launched an exciting new collaboration: a 12-week program for Galapagos locals to earn a certificate in community development and social work.

Shark Day: 10 years celebrating the importance of protecting sharks and their habitat
San Cristóbal community celebrates Shark Day. On Saturday, July 15th, over 520 people dressed in blue to celebrate Shark Day on San Cristóbal Island, an annual event dedicated to educating the local community about the importance of protecting for these marine animals.

5th Galapagos Research and Conservation Symposium: Igniting solutions for the future of ecosystems and communities
This multidisciplinary event was attended by 253 participants and showcased the most significant scientific research findings conducted in the region.

Galapagos Genetic Code (Barcode)
The Galapagos Genetic Code project was created through collaboration between the Galapagos Science Center, the Universidad San Francisco de Quito, the University of Exeter in the UK, the Agency for Regulation and Control of Biosafety and Quarantine for Galapagos, and the Galapagos Conservation Trust. Project aims to catalog the biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands.
SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES

DNA-metabarcoding supports trophic flexibility and reveals new prey species for the Galapagos sea lion
These findings provide evidence of Galapagos sea lion adopting a trophic flexibility to tune their diets to different ecological contexts. Tropical ecosystems are challenging for pinnipeds due to fluctuating food availability.

Novel herpesvirus in the critically endangered Galapagos pink land iguana
Virus surveillance in wildlife is important to understanding ecosystem health, taxonomy, and evolution. Nevertheless, viruses in reptiles, and specifically in squamates, continue to be understudied. We conducted a health assessment on the critically endangered pink land iguana.

Natural History and Conservation of the Galapagos Snake Rediation
The Galapagos Archipelago has been world-famous since Darwin’s visit and is recognized for its species radiation and high levels of endemism. However, Galapagos snakes of the genus Pseudalsophis remained poorly known until recently.

Concentrations of lead in pinniped bones confirm Galapagos as a relatively unpolluted environment
Lead (Pb) is a trace element that is naturally present in arid regions but it is also released to the marine environment by anthropogenic industrial emissions. Here, we assessed Pb concentrations in bone samples of four pinniped species.
EVENTS
6TH GALAPAGOS RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION SYMPOSIUM
The 6th Galápagos Research and Conservation Symposium took place on Monday, July 15 and Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at the Charles Darwin Convention Center on San Cristóbal, Galápagos. This important multidisciplinary event was organized by the Galapagos Science Center, with the sponsorship of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Universidad San Francisco de Quito with the endorsement of the Galapagos National Park.
5TH GALAPAGOS RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION SYMPOSIUM
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, on San Cristóbal Island, will host the 5th Galapagos Research and Conservation Symposium. This significant multidisciplinary event will feature scientific presentations and community-focused talks, showcasing research and initiatives related to conservation, environmental change, biodiversity and oceans, health, and community initiatives.
World Summit on Island Sustainability
In 2022, the Galapagos Science Center (GSC) and the broader UNC & USFQ Galapagos Initiative celebrated its 10th Anniversary. The GSC hosted the World Summit on Island Sustainability on June 26–30, 2022 at the Galapagos Science Center and the Community Convention Center on San Cristobal Island.
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