Dr. Helga Gruberg Cazon
About me
I am an environmental engineer, researcher, and university professor from Bolivia, currently working at Universidad Católica Boliviana “San Pablo”. My academic and professional work focuses on agroecology, food sovereignty, climate change adaptation, agrobiodiversity, and socio-ecological systems. I hold a PhD in Bioscience Engineering: Socioeconomics from Ghent University and a Master of Science in Development and Rural Innovation from Wageningen University & Research. Throughout my career, I have collaborated with universities, communities, NGOs, and international organizations on projects related to environmental management, resilient food systems, and sustainability in Latin America.
I am a Bolivian environmental engineer, researcher, and professor passionate about the relationship between people, food systems, landscapes, and the environment. I currently work as a full-time professor and researcher at Universidad Católica Boliviana “San Pablo”, where I teach and develop research projects connected to agroecology, sustainability, environmental management, and socio-ecological systems.
I completed my PhD in Bioscience Engineering: Socioeconomics at Ghent University. My doctoral research focused on how transdisciplinary agroecology can contribute to the co-creation of food sovereignty, particularly in contexts where local knowledge, environmental justice, and community participation are essential. I also hold a Master of Science in Development and Rural Innovation from Wageningen University & Research, where I focused on climate change adaptation and institutional change processes in Bolivia, as well as a degree in Environmental Engineering from Universidad Católica Boliviana “San Pablo”.
Over the years, I have worked with different institutions and organizations including FAO, Bioversity International, Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, and VLIR-UOS. My work has involved research, teaching, consulting, and project coordination in areas such as agrobiodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation, urban agriculture, ecosystem services, environmental governance, and resilient food systems.
Much of my work has focused on participatory and transdisciplinary approaches that connect scientific knowledge with local and traditional knowledge systems. I am especially interested in the social and political dimensions of environmental issues, including water governance, food sovereignty, ecological restoration, and the role of communities in shaping sustainable futures.
I have published academic articles, reports, and policy-oriented research on topics such as traditional ecological knowledge, agroecosystem services, climate change, participatory policy-making, and socio-environmental management in Bolivia and Latin America. In recent years, I have also been involved in initiatives linking soil health, food systems, and human health through integrated approaches such as One Health.
In recognition of my work, I received the 2024 Plurinational Award for Science, Technology and Innovation in Bolivia, the 2024 Honorable Mention for Women in Science, and the 2023 Marie Curie Award from the National Science Academy of Bolivia.
Degrees:
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## Selected Publications
* Gruberg Cazón, H. (2025). *Una evaluación participativa agroambiental de cuatro formulaciones de biofertilizante líquido (biol) aplicadas a cultivos de lechuga (Lactuca sativa) y rábano (Raphanus sativus).* Acta Nova Revista de Ciencias y Tecnología, 12(2), 174–187.
* Avlia, T., Gruberg Cazón, H., y Herbas, E. (2024). *Fundamentos teórico-prácticos de investigación transdisciplinaria para investigadores y docentes.* Universidad Católica Boliviana “San Pablo”.
* Saat Escobar, G., Sánchez Ponce, J., Gruberg Cazón, H., y Ferreira, W. J. (2024). *Evaluación de los efectos de la dosificación de compost para contribuir a la restauración de suelos y la productividad del cultivo de maíz (Zea mays) en la Hacienda Pairumani.* Acta Nova, 11(4), 373–384.
* Galindo, D., Gruberg, H., y Dessein, J. (2024). *Exploring power dynamics in a food bank in Bolivia: A case study during the Covid-19 pandemic.* Food Ethics, 9(23).
* Gruberg Cazón, H. (2023). *Operationalizing Transdisciplinary Agroecology for the Co-Creation of Food Sovereignty.* Universidad Católica Boliviana “San Pablo” / Ghent University.
* Antezana, M., Gruberg, H., y Augstburger, H. (2023). *Capacidad de los sistemas agroforestales dinámicos de proveer servicios agroecosistémicos: Tres estudios de caso en los Valles Interandinos de Bolivia.* Acta Nova, 11(1), 3–16.
* Gruberg, H., Dessein, J., D’Haese, M., Alba, E., y Benavides, J. P. (2022). *Eroding Traditional Ecological Knowledge: A Case Study in Bolivia.* Human Ecology.
* Gruberg, H., Dessein, J., Benavides, J. P., y D’Haese, M. (2022). *Power relations in the co-creation of water policy in Bolivia: Beyond the tyranny of participation.* Water Policy, 24(3), 569–587.
* Alba, E., Gruberg Cazón, H., y Rodríguez Levy, I. (2022). *Transmisión de los saberes sobre predicción climática según el modelo de Nonaka y Takeuchi.* IX Congreso Latinoamericano de Agroecología.
* Gruberg, H., Dessein, J., Benavides, J. P., Alba, E., y D’Haese, M. (2021). *Traditional Ecological Knowledge Transmission: New Agricultures, New Religions, New Education.* Tropentag Conference Proceedings.
* Catacora, L., Gruberg, H., Cabrera, M., y Benavides-López, J. P. (2020). *Retos y oportunidades del sector agroalimentario nacional y la crisis sanitaria del Covid-19.*
* Gruberg, H., D’Haese, M., Dessein, J., y Benavides, J. P. (2020). *Relaciones de poder y participación en la (co)creación de una política sobre agua.* VIII Congreso Latinoamericano de Agroecología.
* Gruberg, H., Dessein, J., y Benavides, J. P. (2020). *Power, Legitimacy, and Participation in the Co-Creation of Water Policy.* Tropentag 2020.
* Gruberg Cazón, H. (2020). *Co-creación transdisciplinaria de soberanía alimentaria.* Universidad Católica Boliviana “San Pablo” / VLIR-UOS.
* Muñoz, D., Ferreira, W., y Gruberg, H. (2020). *¿Cómo evaluar la salud del suelo? Promover la soberanía alimentaria y las innovaciones nutricionales en comunidades vulnerables de Bolivia.*
* Gruberg Cazón, H. (2019). *A Review of Transdisciplinary Approaches for the Co-Creation of Food Sovereignty.* Acta Nova, 9, 329–356.