Who We Are
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Project Piaba is volunteer staffed and led by Executive Director Scott Dowd, a biologist and conservationist of forty years along with an advisory board made up of stakeholders from conservation organizations, research institutions, and members of the home aquarium fish trade. Our team in Brazil also consists of stakeholders and community members with extensive background in Barcelos and the middle Rio Negro region.
Project Piaba does NOT import, export, or sell fish nor are we involved directly in the aquarium trade in any capacity. While our work is focused on this trade and we have forged close relationships with people involved in every aspect of the Rio Negro aquarium fishery, we do not profit or see any direct gains from this industry.
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Want to know more about the important work we do?
Project Piaba is volunteer staffed and led by Executive Director Scott Dowd, a biologist and conservationist of forty years along with an advisory board made up of stakeholders from conservation organizations, research institutions, and members of the home aquarium fish trade. Our team in Brazil also consists of stakeholders and community members with extensive background in Barcelos and the middle Rio Negro region.
Project Piaba does NOT import, export, or sell fish nor are we involved directly in the aquarium trade in any capacity. While our work is focused on this trade and we have forged close relationships with people involved in every aspect of the Rio Negro aquarium fishery, we do not profit or see any direct gains from this industry.
Learn More
Want to know more about the important work we do?
Volunteer Advisors
Les Kaufman
Tim Miller-Morgan
Sandy Moore
Eric Rasmussen
Lonnie Ready
Michael Tlusty
Mike Tuccinardi
Dominic Whitmee
Les Kaufman
Tim Miller-Morgan
Sandy Moore
Eric Rasmussen
Lonnie Ready
Michael Tlusty
Mike Tuccinardi
Dominic Whitmee
Volunteer Team
Scott Dowd
Executive Director
Scott Dowd, a conservation biologist with forty years of experience. Scott is the Executive Director of Project Piaba. With a focus on the cardinal tetra fishery in the mid-Rio Negro region of the Amazon, Scott has dedicated more than 30 years to its conservation. He actively engages with Amazonian fishing communities, exporters, importers, retail stores, hobbyists and zoos and aquariums around the world, advocating for environmentally friendly aquarium fish trade globally.
Dr. Tim Miller-Morgan
Aquatic Veterinarian and Best Handling Practices Lead
tim.miller-morgan@oregonstate.edu
Tim is an Assistant Professor – Aquatic Animal Health, Extension Veterinarian at Oregon State University. He focuses on providing educational programming and service to the aquarium industry, assisting wholesalers, retailers, and hobbyists in the rearing, husbandry, and health care of aquatic animals. Tim spearheaded the development of a new two-year Aquarium Science degree and certification program at Oregon Coast Community College. He also travels extensively to educate aquarium fish owners, breeders, importers, and retailers on proper care and handling practices.
Arnold Lugo
Fishery Field Trainer and Exporter Liason
Arnold is a key member of the Fishery Field Trainers supporting the Rio Negro Aquarium Fishery. Arnold is an accomplished fish biologist, involved with both University of Amazonas (UA) and the National Institute of Amazon Research (INPA) in Manaus, Brazil. Arnold often volunteers his time and expertise to help the Rio Negro Fishery.
Aline Sousa
Fishery Field Trainer and Exporter Liason
Aline has a strong ability to work in groups and prioritize tasks, a proven commitment to proposed goals, ease of adaptation and good interpersonal skills. She has experience in the areas of Food Science and Technology, with an emphasis on food quality assessment and control. She is experienced in good ornamental fish management practices, and fishery and aquaculture resources. Proven experience in team formation and leadership, she is available for travel according to company needs.
Maria Ines Munari Balsan
Lead Geographic Indication of Rio Negro Aquarium Fish
Mari is a professor at the University of Caxias do Sul and serves as the Director of Project Piaba – Instituto Piaba Brasil. She is responsible for the “Indicação de Procedência Rio Negro” (Geographic Indication) and holds an MSc in Viticulture-Oenology and an International Master’s degree in Viticulture, Enology, and Winery Management. With a background in Marketing and Economics, Mari has dedicated eight years to working with the Rio Negro region.
Mari has dedicated the past eight years to working with the Rio Negro region, taking on the important role of developing the “Indicação de Procedência Rio Negro” (Geographic Indication).
Jackie Anderson
Director of Education and Outreach
Jackie is Project Piaba’s Director of Outreach and Education. She is a an experienced educator in conservation biology. Jackie volunteers her time providing content on Project Piaba’s social media platforms. Jackie also speaks at many fish club meetins and is a key person handling Project Piaba’s participation at trade shows such as the Aquashella, SuperZoo and others. Jackie provides her expertise and enthusiasm for wild Rio Negro Fish in many ways volunteering with Project Piaba.
Jackie is also our volunteer Director of Education helping more than 40 zoos and aquariums who have or are building exhibits featuring this beneficial aquarium fishery for their millions of annual visitors.
Dr. Roberto Reis
IUCN Freshwater Fish Specialist for Brazil
Roberto is a Zoology Doctor from the University of São Paulo and currently serves as a Professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul. He is the Head of the Laboratory of Vertebrate Systematics and Dean of the School of Biosciences. Roberto is also the Regional Chair for South America of the Freshwater Fish Specialist Group of IUCN/WI. With a focus on South American freshwater fishes, particularly catfishes, he has been involved in scientific research, discovering and documenting biodiversity with over 100 new species described. Roberto’s work includes phylogenetic studies using both morphological and molecular evidence. Additionally, he has contributed to the conservation of freshwater fishes and has an extensive publication record, including scientific papers, book chapters, and edited books. Roberto has been invited as a lecturer in various countries worldwide.
Joely-Anna Mota
Fishery Trainer for Best Handling Practices and Export Liason
Joely has been working with the Rio Negro Fishery for a very long time and often volunteers her time to help the Rio Negro Fishery. Joely is one of the Fishery Field Trainers who work with fishing communities on best handling practices. Joely has worked in all aspects of the fishery and is very knowledgeable about the Rio Negro Fishery.
Tori Babson
Education and Outreach Assistant Director
Tori Babson is a lifelong aquarium fish enthusiast. In addition to keeping aquariums in her home for years, she is also a professional aquarist. Tori is also experienced with aquatic invertebrates and reptiles. She is passionate about environmental conservation, and how consumer choices can drive environmental action.
Kapil Mandrekar
Marketing Specialist
Kapil is our aquarium hobby industry marketing specialist and is also a biologist. Kapil seeks to strengthen links between the Rio Negro aquarium fishery (Barcelos Municipality, Amazonas, Brazil) to aquarium industry/hobby in the United States by creating a sense of place attachment.
His main role is to network and build relationships with the hobby industry to find ways for mutually beneficial conservation partnerships working with retailers, live stock wholesalers, ancillary goods manufacturers and dry goods providers to the aquairum hobby.
Fernando Bresslau
Brazil Hobby Market Liason
Fernando is a hobbyist and fish enthusiast. He has made many trips to the Rio Negro Fishery and assists Project Piaba with the Brazil aquarium hobby industry.