Our Experts
Our team brings together diverse expertise in marine biology, environmental science, and conservation to protect and restore ocean ecosystems.
Héctor J. Ruiz, Ph.D. Marine Biology
Executive Director
Héctor J. Ruiz Torres, earned his doctorate degree in marine biology from the University of Puerto Rico in the Mayagüez Campus with emphasis in marine botany, coral reef organism taxonomy and ecology. Doctor Ruiz is the executive director of HJR Reefscaping. Through this venue in collaboration with local and federal agencies various environmental restoration projects have been completed in mangrove keys, coral reefs, seagrass habitats and with fisheries resources.
Michelle T. Schärer, Ph.D. Marine Biology
Environmental Consultant
Michelle T. Schärer graduated from the University of Central Florida with a BS in zoology. She earned a MS in Biology at the University of Puerto Rico while working with sea turtles. Her PhD was conducted on the landscape level habitat distribution of coral reef fishes at Mona Island, Puerto Rico. Her major research interests include the acoustics of spawning aggregations of groupers, fisheries biology, conservation and restoration of marine ecosystems.
Antonio L. Ortiz Prosper, Ph.D. Marine Biology
Environmental Consultant
Antonio is a Professor of Biology at the University of Puerto Rico, Aguadilla Campus. He has a Ph.D in Marine Sciences from UPR-Mayagüez. His doctoral research focused on Population Dynamics of Hurricane-Generated Fragments of Elkhorn Coral. Antonio co-founded Reefscaping with Héctor in 2002. He has dedicated over 23 years of research to developing new and better ways to cultivate and propagate corals.
Agleris Santiago Morales
Project Manager Coordinator
Agleris Santiago Morales worked for 8 years as an Administrative Assistant for the NOAA-CRES 2002 Program of the Department of Marine Sciences, UPR-Mayagüez. She also served as Program Manager Assistant at Caribbean Coral Reef Institute (NOAA-CCRI) where she managed proposals, approved projects and contracts with various local and federal entities. Presently she manages all administrative tasks at HJR Reefscaping.
José A. Vargas Santiago, M.S. Environmental Management
Environmental Consultant, Field Biologist
José, better known as Cheo, obtained his master degree in Environmental Management. He is a field technician with vast experience researching birds. Once he joined Reefscaping, he transitioned from land to water, working with tarpon tagging and coral reef restoration projects throughout southern Puerto Rico. His goal is that the general public can understand the importance of conservation for the benefit of humankind.
Osvaldo B. Rullán Cruz
Field Biologist
Osvaldo graduated from the University of Puerto Rico in Aguadilla with a BS in Biology. His research experience includes ornithology, wildlife, ecological and botanical restoration, and marine ecology. He is an active member of the Sociedad Ornitológica de Puerto Rico (SOPI). He recently joined the HJR Reefscaping team as a field technician.