Jonathan was born into one of only a handful of families that reaches back five generations in Galápagos, in the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, on San Cristobal Island. He first left the islands when he won a highly-coveted scholarship to finish his studies in the U.S. This was the start of his life-long passion for science and languages.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in integrative biology from the University of Florida and later spent several years in Europe, where he learned French. He is now fluent in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish.
Jonathan returned to his beloved Galápagos to work as a language instructor and environmental club teacher. He subsequently took the Galápagos National Park guide training course, allowing him to combine a love for the islands with his scientific training. Currently, he works alongside local conservation institutions to develop the “Cetacea Project,” monitoring and tagging marine mammal species in the Galápagos Marine Reserve. He served as the Galápagos liaison for the Fulbright New Century Scholar Project, financed by the U.S. Department of State, and also acts as the Galápagos representative for an international NGO working with Fulbright scholars from around the world.
Jonathan has worked as a naturalist with Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic for several years. He received his Photo Instructor certification in a multi-day training workshop. Developed and taught by National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions photographers, the workshop helped him develop additional insight and skills necessary to help you better understand your camera and the basics of composition — to better capture the moments at the heart of your expedition.
