By Carlos Roa, VoLo Foundation
Dr. Wilmer Cuervo, recipient of the VoLo Foundation’s VISTA Award in 2023, is one of the innovators interviewed in the eco-adventure series “The Visioneers with Zay Harding” in the episode airing Saturday on CBS during its CBS WKND morning block.
“The Visioneers with Zay Harding” is the only U.S. television series dedicated to highlighting environmental solutions in the United States and around the world, along with the visionaries behind them. Created and hosted by international explorer and adventure show veteran Zay Harding, it is produced by Hearst Media Production Group, with VoLo Foundation as the exclusive partner.
Dr. Cuervo received the VISTA Award in 2023 for his project “Evaluation of Anti-Methanogenic Potential of Extracts from Pigweed and Tropical Soda Apple in North Florida.” His research began with a simple but innovative idea: Many people see weeds only as a problem, but they can have significant nutritional value.
He selected invasive species that most animals avoid because of toxins and discovered that, by removing these compounds, the plants could become supplements to reduce methane emissions in livestock. “Many see weeds as something to get rid of, but they can have value beyond that,” he said, summarizing the vision driving his work.
We spoke with Dr. Cuervo ahead of the episode to hear about his experience on set, discuss progress in his scientific work and get his message for new VISTA Award winners as the 2026 Climate Correction conference approaches on March 10-11 in Orlando.
What was it like to film with ’The Visioneers’?
It was incredible. The level of production and professionalism was top-notch and showed me the impact a well-communicated scientific idea can have. I talked a lot with Zay, who pointed out something key: As scientists, we often hold back from sharing ideas because of academic caution.
The experience made me realize that this idea can be explained to the public. I also learned how science communication works on television: It’s not just standing in front of a camera, but repeating scenes, explaining processes and showing work in the lab. It was very rewarding.
How important is science communication in the media?
It’s essential. Many studies end up in academic papers that very few people read. Outreach builds a bridge between academia and society, showing that many solutions only need support to be fully developed.
Excellent ideas often stay in very small academic circles. Platforms like ”The Visioneers with Zay Harding” allow the public to understand what is being done and why it matters.
How has your academic career progressed since receiving the VISTA Award?
There have been many changes. I finished my doctorate, and the project that earned the VISTA Award was a separate project. I graduated with a Ph.D. from the University of Florida in 2024. Then I held a postdoctoral research position at Clemson University in South Carolina, continuing to develop the idea that led to the award.
That same year, I was selected as an assistant professor at Montana State University and moved to Montana with my family in August 2025. I can now expand that initial idea into a robust research line with multiple directions.
Where are these new lines of research headed?
The original work already produced significant outcomes: one published paper and two abstracts at national conferences, showing substantial reductions in methane. A master’s student in Florida has since applied the idea in live animals.
I have expanded the focus to local invasive plants. I conducted studies in South Carolina and now we are evaluating seven species in Montana, where they are a major issue for ranchers. The response from the industry has been very positive. I also submitted a $300,000 project proposal to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to explore the species with the most potential.
We are also advancing methane measurement. This summer, we will conduct an experiment with researchers in Colombia using a mask to measure emissions from individual cows, a technology with potential for patents. At the same time, we are exploring robotic technologies to reduce methane production inside the animal, with the goal of future licensing with private industry.
What advice do you have for graduate students receiving the 2026 VISTA Award at Climate Correction?
Graduate students have many responsibilities, but they also have a great capacity to generate ideas and think differently. You must embrace that creativity and, above all, believe in it.
Often, we hesitate because of fear or lack of time, and then someone else develops the same idea. My advice is to take risks, learn to communicate your projects effectively and apply. The VISTA Award is one of a kind: It gives confidence in an idea without demanding anything in return.
This year, high school students will also participate in Climate Correction. What message do you have for them?
Not everyone knows at 16 or 17 what they want to do, and that’s normal. But if they have already succeeded in developing ideas, that talent is worth exploring.
When you work on something you are good at, it doesn’t feel like work. If that work also has social impact, like climate science, the satisfaction is enormous. Knowing your work can benefit society gives your professional life a sense of purpose.
Any final thoughts?
An academic career is demanding at any age. Opportunities like the VISTA Award serve as a springboard: they strengthen your resume, open doors and help you believe in yourself.
For me, it was a turning point. That initial idea is now central to my lab. Thinking differently, taking risks and trusting your work can make a real difference.
Wilmer Cuervo’s episode of ”The Visioneers with Zay Harding” will air Saturday, March 7, at 10 a.m. on CBS WKND, airing nationally on CBS. It will also be available on CBS.com and Pluto TV. The show can be watched in Spanish on TeleXitos, part of the Telemundo network, under the title ”Los Innovadores.”
Carlos Roa is senior press and PR director for VoLo Foundation. VoLo Foundation is a financial supporter of The Invading Sea. This piece was originally published at https://volofoundation.org/news/wilmer-cuervo-the-visioneer-who-received-the-vista-award. Banner photo: Cuervo speaks with Harding (Image courtesy of VoLo Foundation).
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