Susana Gonzalez

Chairman, Deer Specialist Group (DSG)

Susana Gonzalez was born and raised in Montevideo Uruguay. She received her Bachelor's Degree in 1988 in Biology at the University of Uruguay. Her research focus is on the two Uruguayan pampas deer populations and their conservation. Gonzalez planned and organized the first Pampas deer workshop. A group of researchers from Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay dedicated to conservation of neotropical deer was consolidated at this workshop.

Gonzalez is an Assistant Professor in the Science Department of the Uruguayan University and an Associate Researcher with the Biological Research Institute Clemente Estable. She also serves as the Coordinator of the PEDECIBA Post Graduate Genetic Program.

Gonzalez has produced over 20 scientific publications and has organized, coordinated, and facilitated over 15 conservation workshops on Neotropical deer species in Uruguay and other countries. She was distinguished in 2000 with the Veterinarian Uruguayan Academy award for her research in conservation genetics. In relation to her research on conservation biology of the pampas deer, she was appointed as an advisor to the Conservation of Pampas Deer Group of the Natural Resources Department of the Uruguayan Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries. Also, the Brazilian Governmental conservation agency IBAMA (Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renovaveis) designated her as a member of the Conservation of Brazilian Deer Committee.

The World Conservation Union (IUCN) recognized Gonzalez' leadership role as a deer conservation biologist in South America for her research in pampas deer, marsh deer, and brocket deer. From 1994 to 2001, she led the Deer Specialist Group (DSG) as its South American coordinator. Since 2001, Gonzalez has served as chair of the DSG working group on world deer conservation initiatives, stimulating research and knowledge at in situ and ex situ levels.