At Aquatera Atlántico, we believe that marine science, understood in a broad sense and including natural, technical, and social sciences, is essential not only to understand and protect the ocean, but also to improve the lives of the people who depend on it. On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we want to recognise all women who, from different fields of knowledge, contribute to creating more sustainable, inclusive, and equitable solutions.
One of them is Gaynor, Director of Business and Sustainable Development at Aquatera Atlántico. Gaynor combines her professional work with academic research and is currently undertaking a PhD focused on the social impacts of the aquaculture industry on coastal communities, with particular attention to women.
Women of the Aquatera Atlántico team
Throughout her career, Gaynor has led and contributed to projects that integrate applied science and a social perspective. These include leading Aquatera’s first marine plastics projects, focused on mitigating plastic waste in coastal communities in Indonesia and the Philippines. She has also worked with women in Zambia on initiatives focused on clean cooking solutions in vulnerable communities, addressing environmental, social, and health challenges.
Beyond her professional role, Gaynor is also the only female crew member of the Kirkwall Lifeboat in Orkney, a voluntary role that reflects her strong commitment to the ocean and to coastal communities.
Alongside her, Francesca Busana, Isa Walker, and Natalia Rojas are part of the Aquatera Atlántico team, contributing their experience and knowledge from different disciplines related to marine science, sustainability, innovation, and social analysis, and helping to build a holistic understanding of the ocean and the challenges faced by coastal communities.
Francesca Busana brings solid experience in the management of IT and technological systems, as well as in accounting and finance, playing a key role in developing accessible, transparent, and efficient organisational structures. Her work helps create environments that support collaboration, informed decision-making, and inclusion within teams and projects.
Isa Walker is a chemical engineer with extensive experience working with local communities, promoting participatory, inclusive, and transparent processes in the development of renewable energy projects. Her approach places people at the centre, ensuring that diverse local voices are heard and integrated into decision-making.
Natalia Rojas specialised in marine renewable energy through a master’s degree and is currently studying a Bachelor’s degree in Social and Cultural Anthropology, with the aim of integrating social sciences into the implementation of marine and offshore renewable energy projects. Her work seeks to ensure that these projects are developed in a socially responsible, inclusive way, aligned with local contexts.
Leadership in action: Women of Aquatera Atlántico
For the women of Aquatera Atlántico, applied science must have a clear purpose:
“Contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through applied, people-centred science is fundamental to us. We know that, according to UN Women, it could take up to 300 years to achieve true global gender equality. There is still a long way to go to achieve SDG 5, but every small step makes a difference.”
At Aquatera Atlántico, we celebrate today, and every day, women in science, across all disciplines, and reaffirm our commitment to equal opportunities, diversity, and the creation of inclusive environments, where knowledge contributes both to the protection of the ocean and to people’s wellbeing.
