Elena Martinez

As co-founder and CTO of SOS Biotech, Elena Martinez leads a pioneering BlueTech initiative in the Dominican Republic, transforming marine resources into sustainable products to support coastal communities. Her strong scientific foundation includes a Bachelor of Science in Oceanography from Universidade de Vigo and two Master’s degrees in Applied Blue Biotechnology from La Rochelle Université. Martinez also serves as Director of Research and Development for SOS Carbon, a sister company dedicated to addressing the pervasive sargassum crisis through innovative solutions, converting challenging marine resources into high-value products. Prior to her co-founding roles, Martinez held the position of Environmental Program Manager at Terra & Marre Foundation, gaining expertise at the intersection of the blue economy, sustainability, and climate action.

Her commitment to climate innovation was recognized when she was selected as part of the first cohort of Big Bets Climate Fellows by the Rockefeller Foundation and named a participant for the 2024 MIT SOLVE Climate Challenges, underscoring her influence in the field. These comprehensive efforts are designed to create employment opportunities, foster a robust blue economy, promote essential ocean literacy, and support sustainable economic growth in underserved coastal communities across the region. Currently, Martinez is pursuing a PhD in Biotechnology and Biomedicine, further advancing her research into the transformative potential of oceans for mitigating climate change and driving sustainable development, positioning them as a vital partner for a resilient future.