Naydeline Teresita Smith is a master’s student in Remote Sensing Science and Technology at the Center for Space and Remote Sensing Research, National Central University (Taiwan). Representing Belize on the World Ocean Day Youth Advisory Council, she works at the intersection of ocean–climate resilience and coral reef conservation.
Her research focuses on the Belize Barrier Reef System, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the second-largest coral reef system in the world. By analyzing long-term bleaching events and associated climate stressors, her work seeks to identify patterns of resilience and generate actionable insights to support reef management and policy decisions in Belize and across the wider Mesoamerican Reef region.Naydeline earned her Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry at the University of Belize, graduating summa cum laude with a thesis on mercury contamination and phytoremediation. She has also worked as a Junior GIS technician, laboratory technician, and English teacher, experiences that sharpened her interdisciplinary approach and cross-cultural communication skills.
Her contributions have been recognized internationally, including the Best Oral Presentation Award at PORSEC 2025 for research on coral bleaching and climate drivers. She has presented at conferences such as the International Symposium on Remote Sensing (Korea) and the Taiwan Geosciences Assembly (Taiwan).Beyond her research, Naydeline is deeply engaged in youth leadership and community outreach. She served as President of the Chemistry Club at the University of Belize, volunteered with cultural and educational initiatives in both Belize and Taiwan, and participated in global youth forums. She also holds NASA ARSET certifications in Earth observation applications for climate, waterborne disease, landslides, and wildfire monitoring.In addition, she is part of an emerging collaboration in Norway studying marine heatwaves and seagrass ecosystems.
Through the Youth Advisory Council, Naydeline seeks to amplify Belize’s voice in global ocean advocacy, highlight the ecological and cultural importance of coral reefs, and inspire youth-driven, science-based solutions for a sustainable ocean future.