Team members

Assistant Professor – University of California Berkeley

Onja is currently my Ph.D. advisor. She has also co-advised my Master’s degree along with Dr. Zafimahery Rakotomalala (Université d’Antananarivo). She has mentored me in any aspects of scientific research since 2017.

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Finaritra Randimbiarison

Conservation Biologist

Finaritra is a Malagasy biologist, working on the ecology of vertebrates in Madagascar. He has assisted in experiment design and field activity coordination in my field projects since 2021. He also contributes to the graphical design of my outreach projects and deliverables.

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Hasinavalona Rakotoarisoa

Conservation Biologist – Université d’Antananarivo

Hasina is my first academic mentee. In 2020, I guided her in investigating how orphan trees persist in the ecosystem even after their dispersers disappeared. She successfully obtained her Master’s degree in 2022 from this project and presented the results at ATBC 2023 in India. She is now redirecting her research focus to the secondary seed dispersal by rodents. Currently, she is coordinating the Razafindratsima Lab Field Research Program in Ranomafana National Park.

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Meiya Gujjalu

Undergraduate student – University of California Berkeley

Meiya is a Mauritian undergrad majoring in Conservation and Resource Studies. She is interested in how island ecosystems respond to environmental change, and how research can support conservation and restoration efforts by integrating scientific approaches with local and community knowledge. She is currently completing her honors thesis on intraspecific variation in seed dispersal by mouse lemurs using my dataset.

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Ginot Kava

Conservation biologist – Université d’Antananarivo.

Kava is an aspiring Malagasy conservation researcher. He is highly interested in the conservation and habitat use of non-volant Malagasy mammals in forest ecosystems. He likes interacting with other researchers, both Malagasy and foreigners, which has broadened his perspectives in research, applied science, and the importance of the local community. Currently, he is also coordinating the Razafindratsima Lab Field Research Program.

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Sidonie Olivia Rakotoarisoa

Conservation biologist – Université d’Antananarivo.

Sidonie is a Malagasy biologist, particularly interested in wildlife. Interacting with nature drives her desire to learn more about it and protect it. She aspires to improve the relationship between the local community and researchers, both Malagasy and foreign. Working with me as a research assistant is another opportunity for her to reinforce her field experience and data management, as well as further shape her career as a biologist.

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Gaëtan Maminiaina Rakotondrasoa

Conservation biologist – Université d’Antananarivo.

Gaëtan is a Malagasy scientist who has been working with me since 2023 as a research assistant. He has been involved in data collection, field activity coordination, communication with the local community, and outreach activities. He is particularly skilled in field project management, team supervision, sharing knowledge, integrating local culture into science, and exchanging with other researchers.

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Tanjoniaina Hery Nirina Patrick Rabarijaonina

Master student – Université d’Antananarivo.

Tanjona is a Malagasy conservation biologist. His Master’s thesis investigated the potential role of small mammals in the seed dispersal of baobabs in Madagascar’s dry forests. He has worked with me as a research assistant from 2022 to 2023. Such an opportunity took him to the rainforests for the first time, and contributed to reinforcing his research project leadership. He has also been my mentee during Coding 4 Conservation mentoring program.

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Tsinjo Sombiniaina Annick Andriatiavina

Conservation biologist – Université d’Antananarivo.

Tsinjo has conducted research on lemur ecology since her Master’s thesis, and building further skills in this direction has motivated her to collaborate with me. She worked on my pilot fieldwork back in 2021 as a research assistant and assisted in exploring new sampling sites in Ranomafana and refining field protocol. She has been a critical help in field research management and communication, funding acquisition, and manuscript and report preparation and reviewing.

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“More than 25 local research technicians and guides have been involved in my research projects in Ranomafana National Park since 2017. They have been instrumental to the project implementation, exchange with villagers, and involvement of local community in research and conservation. Their insights and traditional knowledge has also been integrated in my research findings and recommendations for forest habitat management.”

Njaka, Tanjona, Vero, Manana, Christian, and Zaka (2023)

Finaritra, Da, Manana, Kava, Tiana, and Vero (2023)

Vero, Finaritra, Tanjona, Manana, and Hasina (2023)