Expedition Team

Earthwatch Team One

Biographies

Wei Song, from Singapore, was just completed 2 ½ years of military service and is waiting to enter the University in Singapore this August to major in Life Science. Interested in evolutionary changes and biodiversity, this project gives him a good opportunity to experience it firsthand.

James (J.B.) is from Baltimore, MD, where he is studying microbiology and zoology at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Drawn to Madagascar by the amazing biodiversity, an interest in Malagasy culture and the elusive Fossa, he is in hopes that the extensive hikes will be good training for his attempt to climb Aconcagua this winter.

Amy is a CAD Tech from Seattle, WA and on here third Earth watch project. She is interested in learning more about the amazing Fossa and the way of life on this unique island.

Carrie is a middle school Science/Math teacher in the Los Angles, CA area. She is here to explore scientific research, “camp a little and hike a lot”, and incorporate what she learns into her classes back at home.

Sarah is a high school student from San Francisco, CA. She is here to see what field research is all about and to enjoy a new place and environment.

Luis is currently on sabbatical from his job as Creative Director for a biotechnology company. Originally from Colombia, South America, he now lives in San Francisco, CA. For many years he has been attracted to the “red island” for its diverse and unique fauna, its geographical remoteness, fascinating history and traditional culture.

Rosemary is the director of Glen Park Montessori in San Francisco, CA. Making the trip with her 16-year old daughter, Sarah, she is interested in the biodiversity, unique culture and great adventure this project offers. Also a photographer, she will be taking images of Madagascar back to her preschool to incorporate into the cultural subjects area of the curriculum.

Mara is a 4th/5th grade teacher in a progressive independent school in Oakland, CA. She has always wanted to come to Madagascar and is excited to see the unique wildlife and help with this important research.

Shaun Dunn works as both an assistant and a collaborator with the research projects. He is working on his own studies of the fossa that compliment additional ongoing projects run by the Duke team. Shaun has his B.S. in biology from Central Missouri State University and a minor in fire science. He is originally from St. Louis. He'll be working in Madagascar until December of this year.

Harilala Rakotomanana is from Fianarantsoa. She is a student from the University of Antananarivo, majoring in Animal Biology. She is working on her masters degree and is investigating the diet of the fossa. Specifically, she is examining the potential correlation between the abundance of fossa and their prey and how that relates to fossa prey choice. She was born in Majunga and grew up there. After her high school graduation, she went to the University of Antananarivo and continues to study there. She'd like to work in the conservation of Madagascar's national parks after finishing her degree. She enjoys reading and going on picnics.