Steve first came to Honduras to conduct the research for his PhD on the coral reefs of Roatan. He never left. Coming to the conclusion that the urgent requirement for environmental management was hindered by the chronic lack of capacity to conduct marine research; Steve set up UCME. His current research is diverse but the overriding aim is to provide answers that can ensure that his daughter can see coral reefs when she is old enough to dive (she has ten years to go!). Steve has extensive experience working on the reefs and with the communities of the Bay Islands and is a specialist in the mechanisms and processes of coral-algal competiton and factors affecting the resilience of coral reefs.

Email Steve B.

With extensive fieldwork experience on coral reefs and mangroves on three continents, Steve originally joined UCME to research the effects of different types of urban encroachment upon mangrove communities, and how this affects the associated systems of seagrass beds and coral reefs. He is currently running the conch project, an aquaculture facility designed to enhance the natural population of the Queen Conch ( Strombus gigas) in the coastal waters of Utila. A large component of the project is working alongside the local fishing community on the Cays to promote the sustainable use of marine resources.

Email Steve C.

Andrzej first visited Utila in 2000 to gain his dive qualifications and he has returned nine years later after gaining a wealth of experience in tropical marine ecology on four continents. Most recently he spent 2008 running a volunteer marine research programme in Madagascar. His interests include all things to do with marine zoology, especially fish and invertebrates. Previous research interests have included marine parasitology and the assessment of reef fisheries. Andrzej runs the volunteer programme and operational needs of the UCME office on Utila amongst providing scientific support to all of the current research projects.

Email Andrzej

Ivo has been with UCME since March 2009 and has been working directly with the Cayan fishermen building strong relationships within the community while collecting data for the Responsible Fisheries Program.

His has worked with small scale artisanal fisheries and his research interest is Fisheries Ecology focusing on the pelagic fish stock migration dynamics.

Email Ivo

Ricardo Salgado
Project Development and administration

Ricardo is based in the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa and assists the Director with the development of new projects. He is responsible for all UCME's legal affairs.

Heather Graham (BBA Non-profit Management)
Operations Development Manager

Heather joined UCME to complete a Directed Field Study, as the last component in her Bachelor of Applied Nonprofit Studies Degree from Mount Royal in Calgary Alberta. Before moving there she has lived all over Canada and spent many years living in Central America. Her background is in Nonprofit Management, Community Development and Volunteer Coordination. She has spent three years managing an orphanage in Guatemala and has worked and volunteered at many other NGOs in Canada. At UCME her work included overseeing the daily operations of the organization as well as strategic planning for the sustainable future of UCME as a Registered Charity. Heather is now running UCME's new ‘Fair Fish' project, working with the local fishing community and the restaurants on Utila to achieve more sustainable livelihoods. She will also be working on the north shore of Honduras. Heather is a keen diver and eager to learn more about all UCME's research.

Email Heather

Valerie heads up the UK office branch of UCME to facilitate all enquiries and bookings for UCME volunteers.