Santiago Ramirez Said

Santiago Ramírez Said is a biologist, educator, photographer and National Geographic Explorer whose work spans environmental science, community empowerment, storytelling and intercultural education. He currently serves as the Managing Director of SargaSTREAM, a Canadian federally funded international research initiative focused on advancing Sargassum seaweed monitoring, circular-economy innovation, and community-driven solutions across the Americas. Santiago is also a UNESCO Pathfinder, supporting global learning networks that amplify youth leadership, Indigenous and local knowledge, and nature-based innovations for a more sustainable and inclusive future.

Growing up in a multicultural family, Santiago thrives in diverse and collaborative environments. Since 2020, he has led and contributed five National Geographic Society–funded projects supporting ecosystem conservation, species biodiversity and Local Communities livelihoods in Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Panama Colombia, Peru, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and the United States. His work has included strengthening forest and ethnobotanical conservation, co-designing storytelling and participatory photography programs for Indigenous youth and developing community-led biodiversity monitoring efforts for critically endangered monkey species.

Beyond conservation and climate action, Santiago has collaborated with organizations such as The Refugee Center and Witness Change to highlight the lived experiences of war refugees. His work has been featured on Telemundo, in museums across Colombia, Canada, and Panama, in the National Geographic and Aeromexico magazines and in national educational materials in Egypt.

Santiago holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Microbiology from the University of the Andes, a graduate specialization in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) from the University of California, Davis, and a Master of Science in Natural Resource Sciences from McGill University.

Since 2022, he has also worked as an Expedition Expert and photo Ambassador for National Geographic Expeditions and Ponant, participating in voyages throughout Latin America and Polar Regions. Passionate about macrophotography, ultraviolet-light techniques, drone imaging, and wildlife storytelling, Santiago brings together science, art, and community voices to teach about ecology, climate change, conservation, and photography.

Spoken languages: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese (fluent)

 

Photo credit: Santiago Ramirez Said