Clearwater Marine Aquarium named Anmari Álvarez-Alemán, a Cuban-born manatee researcher, as its new senior vice president of research and conservation, the nonprofit announced in a press release in June. She oversees both the aquarium's research institute and its conservation education department.

How Winter the dolphin shaped her path

The hire carries a personal backstory rooted in Clearwater. Álvarez-Alemán grew up studying marine science in Cuba and followed the story of Winter, CMA's rescued dolphin.

"Back in 2011, I talked to my mentor and said, 'You have to take me to see Winter, I have to see her,'" Álvarez-Alemán told Bay News 9 in a Sept. 24 interview.

That visit became a turning point. She earned her biology degree from the University of Havana in 2006 and spent years studying the Antillean manatee through the university's Center for Marine Research. She completed a master's degree in integrated management of coastal zones in 2010.

The University of Florida granted her an assistantship in 2015, making her the first Cuban student to hold one in more than 50 years, according to CMA. She earned her doctorate in interdisciplinary ecology in December 2019, with research focused on population genetics and conservation of the West Indian manatee in Cuba.

Two decades of manatee research and advocacy

Álvarez-Alemán has co-chaired the Sirenia Specialist Group under the International Union for Conservation of Nature since 2021. She helped assemble the Wider Caribbean Manatee Alliance alongside the Columbus Zoo and has co-authored more than 30 scientific publications. Several were written with her former mentor, James "Buddy" Powell, CMA's former chief zoological officer.

She has worked with manatees for more than 20 years and conducted research in Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Belize, according to the press release.

CMA CEO Joe Handy said in the June announcement that Álvarez-Alemán brings "internationally recognized expertise" and that the organization is "confident she will make a meaningful impact" on its future.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and what's next

The aquarium is marking Hispanic Heritage Month with a Latin Night celebration on Saturday, Sept. 26, at CMA, 249 Windward Passage. Ticket proceeds go to conservation efforts, Bay News 9 reported.

Álvarez-Alemán told the station the month holds personal meaning. "I never dreamed in my life that this is where my path would take me. So, I hope I can inspire other people," she said.

She will co-chair the 26th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, scheduled for Oct. 19-23 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.