Silja is a biologist, with a Master's Degree in Environmental Studies and specializations focused on mangrove restoration and oceanographic and hydrographic analysis. She has 15 years dedicated to the conservation, protection and management of coastal marine ecosystems and fisheries management, working with marine-coastal communities, mainly in environmental education projects, capacity building, biological monitoring and livelihood alternatives. Silja is the main Author of Chapter No. 8 of the Climate Change Report titled “OCEANS AND MARINE-COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS” on the evaluation of knowledge of climate change in Guatemala. She currently works at FUNDAECO as coordinator of the Mares Vivos program and is a Professor at the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala.