Ariel E. Lugo is a scientist, ecologist and former Director of the International Institute of Tropical Forestry (IITF) within the USDA United States Forest Service, based in Puerto Rico.

[2][3][4][5] In 1974, Lugo joined the Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources as Assistant Secretary for Planning and Resource Analysis after completing post-doctoral research studies on wet forests in El Verde, Puerto Rico and mangroves in Florida.

[2][4][5] Before joining the Department of Natural Resources, Lugo served in a variety of leadership positions.

He also served as the Acting Director of IITF and as Assistant Secretary for Science and Technology in the Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources.

[2][3][5] Additionally, Lugo was a notable contributor Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Scientific Assessment that would share a Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore in 2007.