Professor Ofelia Castañeda Lopez has a degree in Hydrobiology from the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM), Mexico, with a Master's degree in Environmental Education. She is a Professor in the Department of Hydrobiology in the area of Coastal Ecosystems Research, Co-founder and Head of the Documentation Center "Ecosistemas Litorales Mexicanos" (database on Mexican coastal lagoons). Her research areas are: Hydrology, nutrients, and primary production of coastal aquatic bodies.