Carlos N. Ibarra-Cerdeña

Dr. Carlos Napoleón Ibarra-Cerdeña is a biologist and biomedical scientist specializing in zoonotic disease ecology, biodiversity, and One Health approaches. He is a Full-Time Professor and Head of the Department of Human Ecology at Cinvestav–Mérida (Mexico), where he also leads the Laboratory of Rural and Urban Patho-Ecology (Peru-Lab). His research explores how environmental change, deforestation, and urbanization influence the transmission of pathogens such as Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease, and how wildlife diversity and species interactions can buffer disease risks for humans. His work combines field ecology, molecular biology, and spatial modeling, bridging disciplines to understand how conserving nature contributes to public health.

Dr. Ibarra-Cerdeña has co-authored over 50 scientific papers, including publications in Science, The Lancet Microbe, and PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. He has led or collaborated on international projects funded by the European Union, GIZ (Germany), and Mexico’s National Science Council (CONACYT). Beyond academia, he is passionate about translating ecological knowledge into conservation and public engagement, fostering collaborations that link biodiversity protection with human wellbeing across Latin America.