Lachmi (Lach) Baniya, an impact-driven media entrepreneur, began her journey in 2013 at the age of 21, driven by vision and determination. Growing up under Myanmar’s censored public education system, she understood the limitations it placed on critical thinking and the transformative power that access to information could have in shaping lives.

The Global Drylands Center leans on the many wonderful collaborators who bring incredible insight into the Center, making us stronger.

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.”