Mariana Tamayo has a Ph.D. in Aquatic and Fishery Sciences from the University of Washington. She is an Associate Professor at the Environment and Natural Resources Program at the University of Iceland. As an ecologist, Mariana’s research encompasses a range of ecosystems, from aquatic and terrestrial to urban areas and wilderness spaces. She is interested in biodiversity, nature and art, invasive species, plant and insect interactions, as well as lending a voice to nature. When Mariana is not out in nature with her family, she works with her students and colleagues on urban biodiversity, outreach, and other conservation biology projects.

Mariana and Gunndís have collaborated on several teaching and research projects and will continue observing and documenting the plants ans stories in Hávegur and in other areas. Recently, their article Bodies of Water: Outdoor Sensory Learning in Local Places was published in the IMAG journal:
https://www.insea.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/IMAG_issue_18_final.pdf (https://www.insea.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/IMAG_issue_18_final.pdf)