Cynthia Burgos López

Cynthia Burgos López is a Puerto Rican urban ecologist, researcher, and designer whose work lies at the intersection of ecology, participatory design, and community engagement. Trained in agronomy, landscape architecture, and environmental management, she develops interdisciplinary approaches that integrate scientific research, technical expertise, and community knowledge to build more resilient, equitable, and sustainable territories.

For nearly two decades, Cynthia has collaborated with communities, municipalities, universities, and nonprofit organizations on projects related to green infrastructure, climate adaptation, food sovereignty, water management, sustainable mobility, territorial governance, and environmental justice. She has also taught at the university level for more than ten years, focusing on landscape ecology, urbanism, and participatory design.

In 2014, she co-founded La Maraña, a Puerto Rico–based nonprofit organization that advances sustainable community development through participatory design. As Executive Director, she leads the organization's strategy through collaborative research and initiatives that strengthen communities’ capacity to actively shape the future of their territories. Her work focuses on translating complex environmental and spatial systems into accessible tools that democratize information, strengthen public participation, and support transparent, evidence-based decision-making. Beyond her professional work, Cynthia is the proud mother of a young human named Ilan, who keeps her grounded, curious, and hopeful about the future.