GundxChange: Advancing the Symphony Project: Agroecology and Planetary Health through Community-Centered, Transdisciplinary, and Plural Research in Ecuador's Highlands
Carlos Andres Gallegos-Riofrio, Research Assistant Professor, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Gund Affiliate
February 28, 2025 from 12-1 p.m.
Farrell Hall, room 006
The Symphony Project is an international, cross-institutional collaboration exploring the relationship between landscape and human health across the rural-urban spectrum in Ecuador's central highlands. Using a transdisciplinary and participatory approach, this pilot study examines the interconnectedness of human and ecosystem health, focusing on cultural, social, and behavioral influences. The project employs a mixed-methods design, integrating environmental, biophysiological, psychometric, and qualitative measures across three residence types: Andean agroecosystems, agro-industrial farms, and urban spaces. Key data include soil health, biodiversity, crop associativity, and microbiome analysis. Biophysiological indicators like gut and nasal microbiomes, pesticide exposure, heart rate variability, physical activity, and inflammation markers are analyzed alongside health and mental health assessments. A multi-component survey examines socioeconomic conditions, agricultural practices, epidemiological profiles, and lifestyle factors. This presentation will present the team and the communities, highlight key lessons and preliminary findings, aiming to unveil insights into holistic and sustainable ecological health in diverse residence conditions, with implications for fostering an Agroecological Transition for Planetary Health.
Carlos Andres works in agroecology, planetary health, and nutrition. His interdisciplinary profile combines behavioral, life and social sciences, arts, and communications. Carlos Andres co-ordinates the Agroecology, Nature, and Health research area in the UVM Institute for Agroecology and is the principal investigator of three projects framed with participative, transdisciplinary, pluralistic and justice-oriented lenses. In addition, he is the Research Coordinator of the Caliata Initiative and a Faculty Associate at the Buder Center for American Indian Studies in Washington University in St. Louis.