About

Roberto serves as the Communications Assistant at the Florida Sea Grant College Program (FSG). Roberto earned his B.A. in Criminology with minors in Latin American Studies and Portuguese from the University of Florida where he graduated summa cum laude. From a young age, Roberto exhibited a deep passion for protecting wildlife. While at UF, Roberto examined the issues of wildlife conservation through the lens of criminology.

Roberto holding a red snapper on a boat.In 2020, he was selected as a Rueben Askew Research Scholar through the Bob Graham Center for Public Service and dove into the relationships between why Black and Latino fishers comply with Florida fishing regulations enforced by the FWC and the potential associations with concepts of fairness, trust, and legitimacy. In 2022, Roberto’s interest in crime and policy drew him to an FSG-sponsored internship in the Florida House of Representatives through the Bob Graham Center. Following this experience, Roberto was sought by FSG to assist with the program’s communication and outreach to Florida’s policymakers. While in this position, Roberto interned in UF’s Office of Federal Relations where he was exposed to the federal legislative process as well as effective advocacy strategies. To extend the value of FSG programming, Roberto helped organize and participated in visits with Florida’s Congressional Delegation in 2023 and 2024. Outside of work, you can usually find Roberto at the gym, playing soccer, fishing, or spending time with  friends & family.