Hispanic Drylands | A Workshop Beyond Borders

Exploring how Hispanic culture and drylands shape each other reveals a rich history of resilience and adaptation.

The Sala Lab would like to congratulate Dr. Garcia-Pichel for his efforts and significant impact on his field.

Tatiana Estevez is an entrepreneur dedicated to combating the climate crisis through an innovative water solution. Her journey was sparked by a profound realization during a backpacking trip in California, where she witnessed the devastating impacts of drought firsthand. Shocked by the economic and human toll, she envisioned a novel solution to address water scarcity, marking the inception of Permalution. As Founder and CEO, she now spearheads a company focused on cloud and fog water collection technology, providing solutions for both water access and climate adaptation. 

Growing up with parents who were Christian missionaries, Lina Maria Useche Kempf understood from an early age the significance of living with a sense of purpose. This principle has led to her becoming Co-Founder and Head of Institutional Relations at Aliança Empreendedor in Brazil. Kempf has made significant contributions to the entrepreneurial landscape by empowering, training, and connecting low-income micro-entrepreneurs to help them succeed.

Osvaldo had the opportunity to be featured on Bioscience Talks, a podcast hosted by James Verdier, with the American Institute of Biological Sciences. Take a listen to the podcast here!

ASU organized an interview with Dr. Osvaldo Sala regarding ecosystem services, and the sustainability of drylands & discussed a new publication on the effects of grazing. Read the full interview here.

Did you know fire supercharges root production's response to climate change, revealing that dryland ecosystems might face amplified sensitivity to future aridity? That's hot!

Leigh Cassidy’s journey into the world of science and entrepreneurship began unexpectedly. At 24, as a single parent, she embarked on undergraduate studies, driven by perseverance and dedication. This decision led to the invention of DRAM technology during her PhD in Environmental Toxicology at the University of Aberdeen. In 2018, Cassidy sold her intellectual property to SEM, where she served as the lead scientist, honing her skills and opening doors to impactful ventures. The pivotal moment came in 2022 when she won the Conservation X Amazon Challenge. This achievement sparked a profound commitment to empowering women in the Amazon through sustainable technologies, leading to the founding of Nibeenabe Ltd.

Barbara Buades, co-founder and CEO of Meetoptics, embodies the spirit of innovation and leadership. With an unwavering passion for science and a profound understanding of optics and photonics, Buades has navigated Meetoptics to become a pivotal player in making photonics more accessible worldwide.

Inna Braverman founded Eco Wave Power (EWP), a company dedicated to harnessing the power of ocean and sea waves to generate green electricity. Under her leadership as CEO, EWP developed a patented, cost-efficient technology that transforms marine wave energy into sustainable electricity. The company achieved significant milestones, including the installation of its first grid-connected wave energy array, securing a project pipeline of 404.7 MW, and listing on Nasdaq US under the symbol “WAVE.”

As the Founder & Director of Wasel for Awareness & Education and the Mehnaty Portal, Lynn Malkawi has dedicated her life to dismantling barriers and fostering sustainable change through innovative educational and community programs. Established in 2018, Wasel for Awareness and Education is a Jordanian social enterprise committed to advancing social justice by bridging the gap between youth from diverse geographical and socioeconomic backgrounds. Functioning as a think tank, Wasel excels in promoting social change through the application of design thinking methodology – a core element of its programs. By eliminating the hero/victim mentality through various programming, the organization engages youth in collaborative efforts to create meaningful social change.

Esther Kimani, Founder and CEO of Farmer Lifeline, has channeled her connection to agriculture into a mission to revolutionize farming for marginalized communities. Raised in a farming community on the slopes of the Aberdare mountains, Kimani witnessed the adversities farmers face due to pests, diseases, and climate change. This exposure ignited a passion within her to bring meaningful change to these communities.