My Geospatial Path: Territory, Conservation, and Applied Science
My Geospatial Path: Territory, Conservation, and Applied Science
The Geographic Engineering program, which I studied at the National University of San Marcos , the oldest university in the Americas, founded in 1551, profoundly transformed the way I see the world and led me down paths I never imagined. From my early experiences in the private sector to my current work in surface water mapping and forest conservation, my journey has been shaped by a geospatial perspective capable of turning lines, polygons, and points into useful and reliable information for decision-making.
Internship with the Spectacled Bear Conservation Center in Machu Picchu and Lambayeque
Internship with the Spectacled Bear Conservation Center in Machu Picchu and Lambayeque
My Path into the Geospatial Field
The path was not easy. At every stage of my life and professional growth, I met extraordinary people from whom I learned a great deal. Although Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are often associated mainly with geographic engineers, geographers, or related professions, the “science of where” is also present in sectors such as retail, mining, logistics, business administration, and marketing. In all of them, understanding the territory is key to making better decisions.
I remember my first manager at Belcorp with great affection. She gave me valuable advice on working with the classic ArcMap for georeferencing and cartographic design activities focused on business intelligence. She taught me the importance of creating maps that could be understood not only by specialists, but also by the people who would use them directly in the field.
After that experience, I participated in several projects during the final stage of my university studies, applying what I had learned in courses such as Landscape Ecology and Research Project. After graduating in 2020, I faced a period of uncertainty, as job opportunities for recent graduates in Peru are often limited. After several months without formal employment, I applied to MasterGIS, an institution recognized for offering courses in Geographic Information Systems and environmental topics.
MasterGIS became a major opportunity for my professional growth. Through courses, tutorials, and study materials, I was able to demonstrate the potential of GIS in sectors such as environmental enforcement, mining, logistics, ecology, and conservation. During the two years I was part of the institution, I met excellent professionals from different countries and had the opportunity to lead the GIS area for more than a year. From that role, together with the team, I promoted science communication initiatives such as research project competitions, educational videos, and activities aimed at strengthening the presence of geospatial science on social media.
YouTube livestream about geospatial platforms
Research, Conservation, and Territory
After that stage, I decided to become more involved in research. I joined the Group for the Analysis of Development, GRADE, one of Peru’s leading research institutes in economics and social sciences. There, I participated in projects related to urban expansion analysis, agricultural value chains, and other topics connected to territorial development.
However, my interest in conservation was always present. I wanted to contribute, through my knowledge of GIS, to representative institutions in this field. In 2023, I joined the Spectacled Bear Conservation Center as an intern, where I developed distribution maps, movement route maps, and multitemporal analyses of the study area.
This experience allowed me to visit places I had never been to before, such as the Seasonally Dry Forests of northern Peru, an ecosystem where this species also lives and whose habitat is increasingly being reduced.
My experience continued in Machu Picchu, where the research team contributed to monitoring this species through camera traps. A total of 100 cameras were installed throughout the Historic Sanctuary, and I supported the georeferencing of pilot areas, GPS configuration, and the use of mobile location applications. These tools were essential for working in hard-to-access areas that are part of the spectacled bear’s habitat.
I later returned to Lima, where I presented my thesis, which was the result of the internship I completed in northern Peru. In this research, I analyzed the distribution of the spectacled bear and evaluated different algorithms to accurately estimate its potential distribution. This work allowed me to obtain my degree as a Geographic Engineer and become a member of the College of Engineers of Peru, within the Geographic Engineering Chapter.
I currently serve on two academic committees: Natural Resources and Geospatial Data Science. Through these spaces, I contribute to projects and provide technical opinions on relevant issues facing the country.
Mapping seasonally dry forests in Lambayeque, northern Peru
Community, Learning, and Current Work
From that moment on, I had the opportunity to apply my skills in both public and private sector institutions, such as COFOPRI, SERFOR, and Geomatic Green, as well as in academic and student-led spaces related to remote sensing, dry forests, and environmental engineering. These experiences allowed me to participate in research projects, share knowledge with students, and strengthen collaborative networks that I continue to value today.
I am currently collaborating with SERFOR and the Center for Water Research and Technology at the University of Engineering and Technology (UTEC), within the framework of the MapBiomas Agua project. In this role, I contribute to monitoring surface water in Peru using satellite information. I have also developed work on land surface temperature in San Juan de Lurigancho, which has been presented at events such as the CUT Telemática Conference and the Intermediate Cities Congress – SICIAL. These experiences strengthen my commitment to applied science as a tool for improving the management of the country’s natural resources.
Presenting my land surface temperature map of San Juan de Lurigancho at CUT Telemática 2025
Tips for Overall Success in This Career Pathway
If you are interested in building a career in GIS, geospatial science, conservation, or applied research, my first advice is to remember that your path does not have to be linear. Experiences in business intelligence, education, research, conservation, and public institutions can all contribute valuable skills to your professional growth.
It is also important to learn how to communicate maps and spatial information to both technical and non-technical audiences. A good map should not only be accurate; it should also help people understand a territory and make better decisions.
Stay curious and keep learning. GIS and remote sensing are constantly evolving, and today they offer powerful tools to monitor water, forests, cities, and environmental change.
Share what you know. Teaching, mentoring, creating tutorials, and participating in academic or professional communities can strengthen your own learning while helping others discover the value of geospatial science.
Finally, connect GIS with real-world challenges. The true value of this field appears when spatial data becomes useful knowledge for conservation, urban analysis, water monitoring, and better management of natural resources.
Get Involved in the Geospatial Community
I encourage students and young professionals interested in GIS, remote sensing, conservation, or applied geospatial science to get involved in communities such as the Esri Young Professionals Network (YPN). These spaces are great opportunities to learn, connect with others, exchange ideas, and discover how GIS is being applied to real-world challenges.
In my own journey, academic groups, research circles, and professional networks have helped me grow, collaborate, and keep learning. The geospatial field is constantly evolving, and being part of a community can open new perspectives and opportunities.
Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariocaceres25/
