Dr. Jeff Karp, Incoming Executive President
Dr. Jeff Karp, PhD. is a passionate mentor and biomedical engineering professor at Harvard Medical School and MIT, a Distinguished Chair at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. As a bioengineer, Dr. Karp is at the forefront of taking inspiration from the most successful researchers of all time—evolution and nature—to find ways to improve our daily life, health, focus and productive purpose. His lab’s technologies have led to the formation of thirteen companies. The technologies they have developed include a tissue glue that can seal holes inside a beating heart; targeted therapy for osteoarthritis, Crohn’s disease, and brain disorders; “smart needles” that automatically stop when they reach their target; a nasal spray that neutralizes pathogens; and immunotherapy approaches to annihilate cancer.
Growing up in rural Canada he was written off by his school because of his learning differences. He evolved a process for embracing life, embodied by ‘Life Ignition Tools’, through years of iteration and tinkering to make his unique patterns of thought and behavior work for him. These LIT tools have been thoroughly road-tested, through Dr. Karp’s life, in his lab, and by his many mentees.
Jeff joined the Geoversity global advisory board in 2023 as a very hands-on Head of Innovation. Starting in June of 2025, Jeff takes the helm as the Executive President of Geoversity, Nature’s University.
Mariana Corcuera, Administrative Operations
Mariana has developed her professional and academic career primarily in Panama, where she has gained a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities related to management and sustainability, always seeking improvement and efficiency in the companies, including Double Tree by Hilton, she has served.
In her current role, she is responsible for managing the finances and administrative operations of the organization, focusing on human resource management, effective communication, and financial management.
In addition to her professional work, Mariana’s commitment to the environment is reflected in her active participation in volunteer work with environmental organizations. Throughout her career, she has contributed to various initiatives and projects aimed at creating a positive impact on climate and sustainability.
Educational background: Bachelor’s Degree in Hotel Management – Universidad Interamericana de Panamá Master’s Degree in Green Economy and Business Sustainability Strategies – Universitat de Lleida, Spain
Kandi Valle, Director of Audiovisual Productions
Kandi, from Bilbao, Spain, is a certified wilderness guide, certified in jungle rescue & survival and an experienced IT technician with a talent for outdoor action videography. Starting in 2008, he has worked in the international voluntary service sector. Following work in Africa and Asia, he joined our mission in 2011 to assist in the production of the Roots & Shoots conference with Jane Goodall. In 2013, he became our social videographer and filmmaker. For two simultaneous years, Kandi also served as a Production Coordinator at Fundación Albatros Media in Panama, documenting numerous conservation initiatives. He has been directing, shooting, and editing most of the videos related to Geoversity and the Mamoní Valley Preserve. Besides, he is a long distance runner and a biker.
Educational background: Certified in Jungle Rescue & Survival, Certified Wilderness Guide from PAWGI and Vocational Training in IT.
Judy Dourson, Director of Science & Research
Judy Dourson holds a Master’s Degree in Education and enjoyed a distinguished career as a science and math educator, later serving as Gifted and Talented Coordinator until her retirement in 2006. She then joined the Belize Foundation for Research and Environmental Education (BFREE) as Biological Field Station Manager, later advancing to Research Coordinator and Director of Educational Programs, where she facilitated more than 50 tropical biology field courses.
A long-time collaborator with her husband, wildlife biologist Dan Dourson of Dourson Biological Consulting, Judy has served as field technician, research assistant, and data management coordinator. She has written and managed numerous grants for Dourson Biological Consulting totaling more than $200,000. Judy is also the owner, editor, and publisher of Goatslug Publications, co-authoring, editing and publishing 16 biology books—many focused on terrestrial mollusks—including Land Snails of Belize. Together, they have described 17 new land snail species from Belize, and their third edition of Biodiversity of the Maya Mountains with a Focus on the Bladen Nature Reserve, Belize, Central America will launch in early 2026 through a grant from BFREE.
Turning their attention to Panama, Judy and her husband are documenting the country’s land snails, having recorded 255 species since 2023—including 55 likely new to science—while she embraces her new role as Director of Science and Research for Geoversity.
Mark Arie Knetsch, Co-Producer of Geoversity School Programs via Biocultural Adventures, Inc.
Mark is an educator, wilderness guide, and conservationist who arrived in Mamoní, Panama in 2013 to volunteer with Geoversity for leadership training and conservation efforts. Over the last decade, he has been leading the team in building out Geoversity’s rainforest campus’ facilities with practicality and sustainable closed-loop systems in mind, developed a deep understanding of the local biodiversity and culture, while creating and leading programs for local and international groups throughout the Mamoní Valley and Panama. As co-founder and CEO of Experience Mamoní, Mark in 2019 merged the company with Geoversity to create the Life Changer program experiences as part of the Geoversity’s School programs that he now manages through his new Geoversity-affiliated company, Biocultural Adventures, Inc.. He is trained in emergency response and jungle survival, and, while living in Canada, specialized in landscape construction and machinery operation. Being raised in Aruba, Mark is a true waterman and speaks four languages.
Educational background: Accounting and business administration, graduating cum laude from Laurentian University Canada, and is a Certified Wilderness Guide from the PAWGI system. His passions: surfing, diving, permaculture, nature, life long pursuit of learning and discovery, and continuing to explore the natural world and its diverse cultures.
Ana Calderón, Project Coordinator
With more than a decade of experience in project management and sustainable development, Ana has worked in various projects related to environmental stewardship, with organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the FSC Indigenous Foundation, and the EcoRestoration Alliance (ERA), she has also worked for government agencies as a project manager and environmental policy advisor. Her work focuses on leading complex, multi-stakeholder projects that integrate scientific research, traditional knowledge, and inclusive engagement. She has also led initiatives to strengthen Indigenous leadership in environmental governance and advance community-driven conservation efforts across Latin America.
Educational background: Ana holds a Master’s Degree in Sustainable Development Studies from the University of Glasgow’s Adam Smith Business School, a Postgraduate Diploma in South-South Cooperation and Project Management from the Complutense University of Madrid, and a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from the University of Panama.
Elsie María Martínez, Administrative Assistant
Elsie holds a degree in Marketing and Business from the Universidad Latina de Panamá. Currently, she serves as an administrative assistant within the organization, where she also supports our social media content for various projects and helps promote our mission.
Passionate about nature and conservation, Elsie spends much of her free time volunteering in support of Geoversity´s environmental learning and science programs for children in rural areas.
Pereira y Asociados, Panama
Accounting and Human Resources for Fundación Geoversity.
Agar Tejada, Director of Indigenous Learning and Culture
Agar Tejada is an indigenous Guna leader from the island community of Ustupu in Gunayala, the autonomous territory of the Guna in Panama. With a bachelor’s degree in Building Design from the Universidad de Panama and a degree in Intercultural Bilingual Education from the Universidad Especializada de las Américas (UDELAS), she has dedicated her life to strengthening the rights of indigenous peoples, especially women and youth. Her work with Geoversity Foundation, the National Coordinator of Indigenous Women of Panama (CONAMUIP) and the Regional Coordinator of Kuna Olowaili Women has led to official positions in several international organizations such as the Continental Network of Indigenous Women of the Americas (ECMIA) and Minga Indígena, where she has represented her people on issues of climate change and indigenous rights. In 2021, she coordinated the making of the world’s largest mola, the Bamboo Ark Mola Sail, and with Geoversity brought it to COP26 in Scotland. In 2017, she was the first Guna woman to patrol the entire Gunayala border cordillera demonstrating her commitment to the conservation of indigenous territory and the struggle for biocultural leadership. Since 2024, she has been leading the production of Geoversity’s book Guna Art and the related virtual museum and indigenous cultural center, www.arteindigena.org
Atala Beckford, Consultant
Atala joined the team in the early Earth Train days as the Director of Administration. She came from an international law rm established in Panama. In addition to applying her skills in management, budgeting, logistics business planning, and systems design, she has been serving as a counselor and coach to interns. She speaks fluent in both Spanish and English. She is the founder of Geoversity’s Youth Innovating for Biodiversity and Ecology program (JIBE), the author of an environmental education and coloring book for children, and has organized two environmental theater plays.
Educational background: Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Universidad Americana and a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources Management
Keith Mautner, CPA, Financial Advisor
Keith has 20+ years of experience leading forensic accounting investigations into alleged securities fraud and related matters. He provides expert advice, research, and other complex litigation support to prominent law firms. He is a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified in Financial Forensics, a Certified Management Accountant, and a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CPA, CFE, CFF, CMA, CGMA).
Nico Armstrong, Centro Mamoní Manager
Nico arrived to Bocas del Toro, Panama in 2006 as a Peace Corps volunteer, where he worked primarily with indigenous Ngäbe people promoting sustainable agriculture and agroforestry, with an emphasis on increasing cacao production in local plantations. After completing his service he moved on to become a tour guide and operator in the high-lands of Chiriquí province, specializing in treks, agrotourism and indigenous cultural experiences with his Ngäbe friends. Nico has now seven years of hosting and management experience, including at our Centro Mamoní facilities in the Mamoní Valley Preserve. His programmatic involvement also includes agriculture and community relations. In his spare time he loves to go on “waterfall quests” — in search for beautiful, undiscovered falls.
Educational background: Certified Wilderness Guide from PAWGI, BA in International Studies and Hispanic Studies from Washington College.
Josué Justo, Centro Mamoní Manager
Josué began his career studying bird diversity across altitudinal gradients in Cerro Chucantí Private Nature Reserve. Since then, he has gained hands-on experience in biodiversity research and ecological monitoring across Panama and southern Costa Rica. Along the way, he has also contributed to ecotourism, environmental education, and field-engineering projects. This breadth of experience makes him a tremendous resource for incoming researchers and an invaluable member of the Geoversity team. His deep knowledge of birds as a birding guide are especially valuable in a place known for its incredible avian diversity. With his expertise, energy, and passion for conservation, Josue embodies the ideals at the heart of Geoversity and our mission.
Educational background: graduate of the University of Panama with a degree in Biology specializing in Zoology.
Eudencio Arias, Topographer and digital mapping specialist.
Eudencio Arias Morris, topographer and digital mapping specialist.
Eudencio is from the Guna ethnic group with 21 years of previous experience in topography and GIS (Geographic Information System) work with the seven Indigenous Peoples of Panama and private companies throughout the national territory of the Republic of Panama.
Educational background: Bachelor’s Degree in Topography with a specialization in cadastral data processing and field data interpretation from Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá.
Gabriel Salazar, MVP Local Guide and Handyman
Gabriel Salazar has lived his entire adult life on location and served as our local wilderness guide from the birth of the Mamoní Valley Preserve. He is a true horseman, born animal tracker and navigates the forest without use of modern technology. In his youth Gabriel was once a prolific hunter trained by Noriega’s military forces in the Mamoní Valley, but he has since been able to create a sustainable livelihood for himself with Geoversity. He also runs a quaint but efficient and beautiful integrated farm system.
Leandro Toribio, MVP Local Guide and Handyman
Raised in the Mamoní Valley and known as Eagle Eye, for his extraordinary ability to see in the forest what no one else can see, Leandro was part of the pioneer explorer team that established the network of trails and river trips of the Mamoní Valley and our neighboring Gunayala comarca, along with Nathan and our friend and Guna collaborator, Kike Arias, who established the first maps of the Mamoní Valley Preserve.
Centro Mamoní cannot be conceived as it is without the contribution of Leandro, who has been present from the placement of the first wood that laid the foundations of what we know today (back in 2001), to the last culm that culminated the construction of the beautiful and state-of-the-art “Bamboo Ark” (in 2024), with which he obtained a certificate in bamboo construction. During his time as site manager, with his endearing and affable personality, he made you feel at home with his beloved wife, Elisabeth, and his son JanCarlos, who years later, would end up following in his footsteps and join the foundation as a field collaborator. Around the light of the flames of the campfire that illuminated the nights at the center, even before we had electricity, the hours flew by with laughter and glances listening to his anecdotes of the countless expeditions he had been involved in or the vicissitudes of dealing with the challenges of running the center with scarce resources at the edge of a primary rainforest, with the drawing of a permanent smile on his face that seems indelible.
Esmeralda Stonestreet, Chef and Hospitality
Esmeralda is in charge of Hospitality at Geoversity Foundation’s main campus in Panama. Esmeralda prioritizes the importance of health and searches for the nutrition that will make people vibrant and healthy during their stay. She specializes in the culinary experiences that will expand visitors pallets’ to the varieties of food that are available within the rainforest. She has a passion for sharing her extensive knowledge and appreciation of the rainforest with visitors. In her words, “What you have is gold if you pay attention”. In her spare time, you can find her experimenting with natural remedies, medicine, and products. Esmeralda is also a mother to three beautiful children.
BA in Accounting with a Minor in English.
Humberto Valdez, MVP Handyman
