Karol B. Barragán-Fonseca

I’m a veterinarian and interdisciplinary researcher working at the intersection of science, society, and communication. I hold a Master’s in Biology and a PhD in Entomology from Wageningen University in the Netherlands, a path that helped me connect my background in animal health with broader questions of sustainability, biodiversity, and social transformation. My work explores wildlife conservation, sustainable agri-food systems, and the bioeconomy, with a special focus on the transformative power of insects in both ecological and societal dimensions.

I lead the Centre for Terrestrial Arthropod Research (CINAT) and the spin-off company EntoPro at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, where I am an Associate Professor. I also coordinate Insects for Peace, a unique initiative that links insect-based innovation with peacebuilding and sustainability in post-conflict regions. In addition, I serve as coordinator of the Insect Network of the Latin American Association of Animal Production (ALPA), and I am an active member of the UNAL diplomatic scientists group and several international collaborations across Latin America, Europe, and beyond.

But science, for me, is never just about data or publications. It’s about relationships, between disciplines, between people, between different ways of knowing. I believe in making science more human: grounded in real challenges, accessible through creativity, and alive through storytelling, games, art, and collective exploration.

Whether I’m writing a research paper, designing a collaborative project, sketching ideas that blend science and art, or exploring literary forms beyond the academic world, my purpose is the same: to build bridges and imagine futures where knowledge becomes transformation.

If this resonates with you, I’d love to connect. I’m always open to collaborations, conversations, and bold ideas!