Who We Are
Blue Maritimes is a multidisciplinary environmental organization bringing together scientists, practitioners, and community partners committed to advancing coastal resilience and climate-informed conservation.
Our team combines expertise in coastal ecology, blue carbon science, environmental policy, and applied research to generate knowledge that supports sustainable coastal futures in Atlantic Canada.
Cecilia Cordero-Oviedo, PhD
Cecilia Cordero Oviedo is a geoscientist with a passion for environmental science. She holds a PhD in Earth Sciences, with a specialization in near-surface processes, including hydrogeology, coastal ecosystems, geomorphology, and ecology. She has worked across academic and applied research environments in Canada and Latin America, contributing to projects involving wetlands, soils, water systems, and environmental assessment.
Her experience includes designing and implementing field programs, supporting data collection and analysis, and translating scientific findings into reports for stakeholders and partners, as well as outreach materials for broader public audiences.
Through Blue Maritimes, Cecilia is working to advance initiatives that support the conservation and restoration of coastal ecosystems in Atlantic Canada, while fostering collaboration between communities, researchers, and practitioners.
She is particularly interested in building practical pathways that connect science, policy, and community engagement to support resilient ecosystems and informed decision-making in the context of climate change.
Founder · Chair · Executive Director
Fernanda Charqueño, Phd
Founder · Secretary · Board DirectorEnvironmental scientist with over 10 years of experience assessing ecosystem responses to climate variability and human impacts.
She is specialized in lake systems, using biological indicators (chironomids and testate amoebae) combined with geochemical and sedimentary data to evaluate environmental change in both past and present conditions.
Her work supports monitoring, impact assessment, and informed environmental management
Christiane Zoghbi, PhD
Founder · Board DirectorChristiane is currently a full-time instructor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Dalhousie University. She holds a Master’s in Environmental Engineering from MIT and a PhD in Hydrogeology from the American University of Beirut.
She was an Assistant Professor at Saint-Joseph University, Lebanon (2017–2022) and later at UniLaSalle, France (2023). She previously worked as a design engineer at Black & Veatch, NYC, USA. Her research focuses on karst hydrogeology and climate change impacts on groundwater recharge.
Ana Corbalán, PhD
Founder · Board DirectorMarine geophysicist with a Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Science and former postdoctoral researcher from Dalhousie University, specializing in seismic and acoustic imaging of offshore geological systems. Her work focuses on integrating geophysical datasets to better understand subsurface structures in Atlantic Canada, supporting resource assessment and environmental sustainability.
She has led international research projects, developed seismo-acoustic data workflows, and communicated results through publications, technical reports, and stakeholder engagement. With experience in teaching and mentorship, she also brings experience supervising students and leading lab activities.
Mariam Knakriah, BSc
Founder · Board DirectorMariam grew up in the United Arab Emirates, where her interest in environmental sustainability was shaped by rapid development and evolving climate challenges. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Sustainability from Dalhousie University, with experience in policy and systems change.
She is a Climate Reality Leader and Mentor and a former Senior Sustainability Ambassador in the UAE, where she led youth-focused climate education and engagement initiatives. Her work is driven by an interest in bridging science, policy, and community to advance equitable climate solutions, with a focus on blue carbon and coastal systems.
Alexis Imperial, Msc
Board DirectorAlexis is a geoscientist and research staff member at Dalhousie University. Her work focuses on extracting cosmogenic isotopes from rock, sediment, and soil to determine Earth’s surface age, quantify erosion rates, and trace sediment movement across landscapes.
She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from St. Mary’s University, where she specialized in petrology and mineralogical processes. At Blue Maritimes, Alexis contributes to advancing the understanding of coastal erosion in Atlantic Canada and its connection to blue carbon dynamics.
Daniel Cerdas Sandí, PhD
Founder · Treasurer· Board DirectorDaniel Cerdas-Sandí is a policy and research professional with experience in labour markets, public policy analysis, and institutional development. His work focuses on applying quantitative research and strategic planning to support evidence-based decision-making in social and environmental initiatives.
At Blue Maritimes, he contributes to organizational governance, financial stewardship, and strategic development, helping strengthen the institution’s capacity to deliver science-driven projects and collaborative climate solutions in Atlantic Canada.