Sebastián Villasante
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My research focuses on the coastal ecosystem services by mainly assessing the ecological and economic contribution of fisheries, aquaculture and recreational fishing activities; governance of the oceans; climate change; marine ecosystem services and poverty alleviation. I combine quantitative and qualitative methods and training in fisheries science, governance and economics to understand linkages between ecological and socioeconomic components of marine systems at multiple scales.
My research focuses on the coastal ecosystem services by mainly assessing the ecological and economic contribution of fisheries, aquaculture and recreational fishing activities; governance of the oceans; climate change; marine ecosystem services and poverty alleviation. I combine quantitative and qualitative methods and training in fisheries science, governance and economics to understand linkages between ecological and socioeconomic components of marine systems at multiple scales.
Education
- PhD Program in Economics (2009) University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Prize Best PhD Thesis in Economics and Social Sciences.
- MSc in Fisheries Economics (2008) University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
- Diploma of Advances Studies in Economics (2005). University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
- Postgraduate studies in Fisheries Economics (2002). University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
- Bachelor in Law and Economics (2000). Faculty of Law and Social Sciences. University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Graduated with honors.
Continuing education / Training
- Visiting scientist. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action. Research topic: Ecosystem services and poverty reduction in developing countries (2013).
- Visiting scientist. University of Tromsø (Norway). Research topic: Marine ecosystem services in South Patagonia (2013-2014).
- Visiting scientist. FIFO-Instituto para Pesca, Diversidade e Seguranca Alimentar. Research topic: governance of marine social-ecological systems in developing countries (2012).
- Visiting scientist. The Beijer International Institute of Ecological Economics (Sweden). Research topic: The role of subsidies in the European aquaculture industry (2011).
- Visiting scientist. The Beijer International Institute of Ecological Economics and Resilience Stockholm Centre (Sweden). Research topic: Resilience of small-scale fisheries in South Patagonia (Argentina) (2010).
- Visiting student. Fisheries Centre, University of British Columbia (Canada). Research topic: Game theory and shared fish stocks in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean (2005-2006).
Training courses
- InVEST models: advance course and Annual Meeting. Natural Capital Project, Stanford University. California, USA, March 2013.
- InVEST marine models. Natural Capital Project, Stanford University. Portugal, 2012.
- Random evaluations in developing countries. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action. Rio de Janeiro, 2012.
- Ecosystem Modelling for Fishery Management, ICES Course, Copenhagen (Denmark), 2010.
- Economic tools for conservation. Conservation Strategy Fund. Stanford University (USA), 2009.
- Economics of Fisheries Management – Intensive PhD Course, CEMARE, University of Portsmouth, June 23rd-July 4th, 2008.
- Economics, Game Theory, Environment and Natural Resources. University of Helsinki, Finland, 2008.
- Ecosystems services. The Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics. Chile, 2007.
- VII Biannual Workshop. LACEEP, San José, Costa Rica, 2009.
Course organization
- InVEST models, with colleagues of Natural Capital (Stanford University). May 2014.
- Introduction to Ecopath with Ecosim, with Dr. Ronaldo Angelini. Vigo (Spain) 8-12nd, 2013. Campus do Mar-International Campus of Excellence.
Prizes, awards and honours
Prizes
- Prize for the Best PhD Thesis in Economics at University Santiago de Compostela (2011).
- First distinction of the “Yamamoto Prize”, IIFET 2010 (2010). Co-winner with Dr. Rashid Sumaila (UBC).
- I “INESMA Prize” on marine conservation in Spain (2009).
- American Fisheries Society: Young scientists from developing countries (2008).
- Campus do Mar, International Campus of Excellence, Spain. Postdoctoral visiting research. Research topic: Global seafood markets (2012).
- Pedro Barrié de La Maza Foundation. Postdoctoral Fellow. Research topic: Climate change and fisheries in Latin America (2010).
- Karl-Göran Mäler Fellowship (2009). The Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics and Resilience Stockholm Centre. Research topic: Measuring resilience of small-scale fisheries in South Patagonia (Argentina).
- Exploring cooperative or non cooperative fisheries management of the argentine shortfin squid in the Patagonian large marine ecosystem: an economic perspective. Canadian International Development Research Center (IDRC) and the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) (2008-2010).
- Game Theory and Natural Resources (Travel grant). Centre for Fisheries & Aquaculture Management & Economics, University of Southern Denmark (2008).
- Scholarship for PhD Students, University of Santiago de Compostela (2004-2009).
- Scholarship Fisheries and Aquaculture Galician Council, Master Degree in Fisheries Economics. University of Santiago de Compostela (2006-2007).
- Caixa Galicia Foundation. Scholarship for visiting students, University of Santiago de Compostela. Fisheries Centre, University of British Columbia, Canada (2005-2006).
- Ninth Biennial Conference for International Society of Ecological Economics. Travel grant-University of Santiago de Compostela. New Delhi, India (2006).
- IIFET 2006 Conference. Travel grant-University of Santiago de Compostela. Portsmouth, United Kingdom (2006).
- BSc. at University of Buenos Aires. Graduated with honours (2000).
Previous employment
- Consultant. United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) “Importance of biodiversity and ecosystem services in Latin America and the Caribbean: and economic valuation of ecosystems – Latin America and the Caribbean: a biodiversity superpower” (2009-2010).
- Consultant. Devalar “Local development of Galician municipalities in the Death Coast” (2008-2009).
- Assistant Research, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain (2004-2010).
- Assistant Research, Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, University of Buenos Aires (2000-2001).
- Assistant Student, Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, University of Buenos Aires (1999).