Background
Samper, Cristián was born on September 25, 1965 in San José, Costa Rica.
Samper, Cristián was born on September 25, 1965 in San José, Costa Rica.
B., University de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia, 1987. M., Harvard University, 1989. Doctor of Philosophy in Biology, Harvard University, 1992.
Research director La Planada Nature Reserve, Colombia, 1989—1991. Adjunct professor biology University del Valle, Cali, Colombia. Director environment division Foundation Higher Education, Colombia, 1992—1995.
Chief science advisor Government of Colombia, 1995—2001. Founder, director Alexander von Humboldt Institute, Colombia, 1995—2001. Chairman subsidiary body of science, technical, and technological advice United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, 1999—2001.
Deputy director & staff scientist Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama, 2001—2003. Director Smithsonian National Museum Natural History, Washington, 2003—2007, since 2008. Acting secretary Smithsonian Institute, 2007—2008.
Board directors American Association Museums, World Wildlife Fund, The Nature Conservancy.
Member of American Association Museums.