Plinio Gondola
Deputy Scientific Coordinator
Plinio Gondola
I was born in mid 1961 in a family of professionals in Panama City. He was a lawyer and she an elementary school teacher. My father was born in the province of Colon (Nombre de Dios) and mother's family came from San Miguel Island in the Pacific coast of Panama and San Carlos.
My childhood was spent in an atmosphere of warmth and family love with my other 3 siblings. I lived in several provinces since my father, seeking new and better opportunities within the judiciary career, went after top positions. So I lived in David, Colon and Panama City.
I did my secondary studies at the Instituto Femin Naudeau, from where I graduated as a Bachelor of Science. Since the second year of high school I knew that I wanted to continue my studies at a university. I remember having great enthusiasm for science and a special vocation for the sea. I did not miss any Jacques Cousteau programs. At the end of high school I had two good options to continue my studies: Russia and Brazil. I ended deciding on Brazil.
So at age 17, I traveled over 10 thousand kilometers to the south of Brazil to the city of Rio Grande, in the state with the same name, almost to the border of Uruguay.
From there I obtained the title "Oceanologist" with expertise in biology and geology.
I began working at the Smithsonian Institute under Dr. Ross Robertson back in 1987 in several projects he developed in the archipelago of Kuna Yala (Ecology of Populations of several species of reef corals). During that period he was with several PhD students and postdocs working mainly in the field with intense diving.
I joined the "Marine Environmental Science Program” (ESP) project in 1994. My work during this period was focused on the study of Marine Water Quality and together with a group of scientists we monitored both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of Panama.
In 2004 I had the opportunity to move to our almost brand new station in the province of Bocas del Toro on Isla Colon. Since then I have served as Deputy Scientific Coordinator and I am primarily responsible for the scientific activity of the laboratory. This includes various tasks, such as chemical and biological security, salt water system, equipment and instrumentation, administration, purchases, etc. On the scientific side, I am in charge of the monitoring of water quality in the region near the station.
Personally, I like to swim, dive, play guitar and dance. I have 3 beautiful children and an adorable wife.
I believe in the power of love and I think everyone has good things and I focus on them.
As far as other jobs, I had a Bar Restaurant back in the beginning of the 90’s, which was a success. It was called " Restaurante Bar Roda Viva". Personally I did not make much money with it, but I had a lot of fun.
I also worked with the Dames & Moore company on environmental impact studies for alternatives to the Panama Canal in the mid 90's.