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Sheyla Ravelo Perez

Education Specialist II

Education

Today's Research for Tomorrow's Oceans

Contact:

Biography:

Sheyla is focused on Scientific Communication.

Sheyla was born in San Antonio de los Baños, Cuba, and is a proud alumna of the University of Florida. In May 2024, she joined Mote Marine Laboratory as an Education Specialist II, where she contributes to the development of new programs aligned with Mote’s expanding research. Her responsibilities include adapting and translating educational programs and curricula for Spanish-speaking audiences and delivering high-quality learning experiences to diverse groups of all ages.

With extensive expertise in global science communication, Sheyla has successfully engaged diverse stakeholders and led outreach initiatives across Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. She has been deeply involved with the United Nations’ Ocean Decade initiative since January 2023, when she joined the Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOP) Programme—an endorsed Ocean Decade initiative—as Cuba’s National Coordinator.

In April 2024, she represented the IOC Subcommission for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions (IOCARIBE) at the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona, Spain. As part of the IOCARIBE delegation, she spoke on two expert panels: “The Inclusivity We Need for the Ocean We Want: Geopolitical Inclusivity” and “Ocean Decade in the TAC Region: Joint Action to Achieve a Sustainable Ocean Future.”

Previously, Sheyla held the title of Miss Earth Cuba 2022, during which she led a global environmental education campaign focusing on the ecological importance of coral reefs and climate change’s implications for human health. Through a strategic combination of social media engagement, live presentations, and media appearances, her message reached over 250,000 people in just a few short weeks. 

Sheyla is deeply committed to Mote’s mission and strives to honor its legacy by using her talents to inspire curiosity, drive innovation, and make a lasting impact through education and outreach. 

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Health Education, University of Florida, Cum Laude

2024 Appointed to ​​UNESCO-IOC Subcomission for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions (IOCARIBE) Ocean Literacy Task Team
2024 Expert Panelist, UN Ocean Decade Conference: “Ocean Decade in the TAC Region: Joint Action to Achieve a Sustainable Ocean Future”
2024 Expert Panelist, UN Ocean Decade Conference: “The Inclusivity We Need for the Ocean We Want - Geopolitical Inclusivity” 
2024 ​​UNESCO-IOC Subcomission for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions (IOCARIBE) Delegation, UN Ocean Decade Conference
2023 Appointed as Cuba’s National Coordinator - UNESCO Ocean Decade ECOP Programme 
Miss International Cuba 2023
Miss Earth Cuba 2022

Additional Publications

Basant, R., Buddo, D., Camacho, R., Cuéllar, P., Elias, X., Gumbs, N., Hernandez Basurto, S.Y., Herrera Fuchs, Y., Hochberg, A., James, J., Kostianaia, E., Martins de Andrade, M., Munoz, C. Ravelo Perez, S., Reyes Vargas, L. C., Tapia, P. (2024, April 10-12). Latin American and the Caribbean Early Career Ocean Professionals Survey [Poster Presentation]. 2024 UN Ocean Decade Conference, Barcelona, Spain.