CASE STUDIES
EXPEDITION LEADER
Maria Isabel Garcia is one of Earthwatch’s Environmental Field Operation Managers. As a scientist with over 8 years of experience in marine ecological research, she recognizes that research findings become useful and have great impact only when they can be integrated into management and communicated to the general public. Thus, she believes in the importance of telling the general public the underlying stories causing today's environmental challenges in an attempt to nurture a sense of responsibility to safeguard the natural environment, to protect threatened species and to protect our natural resources. She is very interested in promoting conservation directly to the community by providing first-hand experience of the wonders of our natural environment. She believes that if people spent time out in nature they will fall in love with the beauty of our planet. She would like to encourage and steer younger generations to continue caring for nature and opt to choose a future in the world of science. She enjoys working with students and providing the means to connect passionate scientists with young minds because she treasures witnessing how the student challenge experience expands students’ horizons and empowers them to take action towards protecting the nature and safeguarding our future.
FIELD SCIENTIST
Michael Mahony is the head of the Conservation Biology Research Group University of Newcastle.
"My primary inspiration was to be an excellent biology teacher, with the aim that by showing students the inner workings and wonders of the natural world, they would be motivated to protect it. I am fascinated by humans capacity to develop innovative solutions to so many problems in our daily existence. As an evolutionary biologist, I consider that the evolution of the human brain has provided us with the tool of communication which will be needed as we face the great dilemma of survival and equitable use of limited resources (With my current Earthwatch research program), I want to expose volunteers to the practice of field ecology and the quest for sustainable development. By appreciating that an animal that is rapidly declining towards extinction has the same deep ancestry as all life on earth, including humankind, and has every right to a secure future."
PREVIOUS STUDENT CHALLENGER
Jess Peart is a current intern at Earthwatch and a previous student challenger in 2014. "The scientists and field operation managers at Earthwatch really gave us full control of our expedition; they allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the data collection and analysis which, as a 17-year-old kid I had never been given such a large responsibility. As well as collecting data, being in the spectacular environment of Moreton Bay, surrounded by prestigious scientists and like-minded people the Student Challenge really provided me my first look into the scientific community and vast ranges of careers in science. The whole experience is one that I will remember and cherish for the rest of my life. During my time at University, my Student Challenge experience helped steer my studies in the direction of environmental conservation. My time with Earthwatch has taught and continues to teach me the importance of creating an inclusive scientific community where everyone can feel welcome to contribute to a sustainable future for our planet."