Who’s Involved

The individuals below work above and beyond their already demanding conservation roles to advance the goals of the Quick Response Fund for Nature.

OUR TEAM AND ADVISORS

QRFN Team

Carly Vynne, Ph.D.
Carly Vynne, Ph.D.

Director, Quick Response Fund for Nature

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Carly works with the QRFN Staff, Executive Committee, Expert Advisory Panel, funders, and grantees to ensure strong operations and governance. She brings a background in conservation biology and experience in assembling diverse partnerships to design, fund, and implement successful conservation programs. Carly is the Chief Program Officer at RESOLVE and Director of its Conservation Solutions program. Prior to joining RESOLVE, Carly was the Director of Wildlife and Habitat Conservation at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Sanjiv Fernando
Sanjiv Fernando

Manager Quick Response Fund for Nature

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Sanjiv manages proposal reviews, new project development, and administration for QRFN. He collaborates with the Expert Advisory Panel to vet applications, supports prospective partners in developing new projects in priority areas, and oversees contracts and reporting with grantees. Additionally, Sanjiv manages reporting to QRFN's funders and works alongside the Executive Committee on fundraising efforts. With a background in Environmental Science & Policy, he brings expertise in protecting critical habitats for threatened species and has experience working with communities to reduce human-wildlife conflict and poaching.

Andy Lee
Andy Lee

Senior Research Associate, RESOLVE

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Andy coordinates project inquiries and proposal reviews for QRFN. He brings a background in conservation biology and policy sciences. Prior to joining RESOLVE and QRFN, his research experience includes on human-wildlife coexistence, illegal wildlife trade, and large carnivore reintroductions.
Steve D'Esposito
Steve D'Esposito

President & CEO, RESOLVE

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ADVISORS

Dave Loew
Dave Loew

Executive Creative Director

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Carly works with the QRFN Staff, Executive Committee, Expert Advisory Panel, funders, and grantees to ensure strong operations and governance. She brings a background in conservation biology and experience in assembling diverse partnerships to design, fund, and implement successful conservation programs. Carly is the Chief Program Officer at RESOLVE and Director of its Conservation Solutions program. Prior to joining RESOLVE, Carly was the Director of Wildlife and Habitat Conservation at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Karla Brollier
Karla Brollier

Founder & Managing Director, Saghani Capital & Strategy

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Sanjiv manages proposal reviews, new project development, and administration for QRFN. He collaborates with the Expert Advisory Panel to vet applications, supports prospective partners in developing new projects in priority areas, and oversees contracts and reporting with grantees. Additionally, Sanjiv manages reporting to QRFN's funders and works alongside the Executive Committee on fundraising efforts. With a background in Environmental Science & Policy, he brings expertise in protecting critical habitats for threatened species and has experience working with communities to reduce human-wildlife conflict and poaching.

Justin Winters
Justin Winters

Executive Director, One Earth

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Andy coordinates project inquiries and proposal reviews for QRFN. He brings a background in conservation biology and policy sciences. Prior to joining RESOLVE and QRFN, his research experience includes on human-wildlife coexistence, illegal wildlife trade, and large carnivore reintroductions.
Steve Olson
Steve Olson

Director of Conservation, Rewild Safaris

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Expert Review Panel

 

The QRFN Expert Review Panel members review project proposals that align with their geographic and species areas of expertise. These advisors – who are world-renowned conservation biologists, taxonomic specialists, and conservation leaders – volunteer their time and commit to reviewing proposals in a timely manner. They are crucial to QRFN’s ability to select and fund the most deserving projects.

Dr. Dave Augeri

Director and Senior Scientist, Biodiversity Unlimited Research and Consulting Group

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DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES SCIENCE

Dr. Dave Augeri has 35 years of expertise in endangered and rare species, biodiversity, habitats, and ecosystems around the world, along with the design and designation of protected areas. He is a member and advisor to the World Commission on Protected Areas, IUCN, UNESCO, and various SSC Specialist Groups and Expert Teams, among other entities.

Dr. Bruce Beehler
Dr. Bruce Beehler

Research Associate, Smithsonian Institution

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Bruce Beehler is an ornithologist and naturalist with professional affiliations with the Smithsonian Institution and the American Bird Conservancy. After a long career focused on forests and birds of the Asia Pacific Region, he now focuses on the natural history of North America. His most recent book, published by Princeton, is entitled New Guinea–Nature and Culture of Earth’s Grandest Island.
Dr. Neil Burgess

Head of Science, UNEP-WCMC; Professor, University of Copenhagen

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Dr. Stuart Butchart

Chief Scientist, BirdLife International

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DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES SCIENCE

Dr. Dave Augeri has 35 years of expertise in endangered and rare species, biodiversity, habitats, and ecosystems around the world, along with the design and designation of protected areas. He is a member and advisor to the World Commission on Protected Areas, IUCN, UNESCO, and various SSC Specialist Groups and Expert Teams, among other entities.

Dr. Carlos Carroll
Dr. Carlos Carroll

Ecologist, Klamath Center for Conservation Research

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Bruce Beehler is an ornithologist and naturalist with professional affiliations with the Smithsonian Institution and the American Bird Conservancy. After a long career focused on forests and birds of the Asia Pacific Region, he now focuses on the natural history of North America. His most recent book, published by Princeton, is entitled New Guinea–Nature and Culture of Earth’s Grandest Island.
Dr. Gerardo Ceballos

Instituto de Ecologia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)

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Dr. Lynn Clayton

Founder, Yayasan Adudu Nantu Internasional (YANI)

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DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES SCIENCE

Dr. Dave Augeri has 35 years of expertise in endangered and rare species, biodiversity, habitats, and ecosystems around the world, along with the design and designation of protected areas. He is a member and advisor to the World Commission on Protected Areas, IUCN, UNESCO, and various SSC Specialist Groups and Expert Teams, among other entities.

Dr. Richard Cowling
Dr. Richard Cowling

Emeritus Distinguished Professor, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

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Bruce Beehler is an ornithologist and naturalist with professional affiliations with the Smithsonian Institution and the American Bird Conservancy. After a long career focused on forests and birds of the Asia Pacific Region, he now focuses on the natural history of North America. His most recent book, published by Princeton, is entitled New Guinea–Nature and Culture of Earth’s Grandest Island.
Dr. Peter Cutter

The Regional Community Forestry Center for Asia and the Pacific (RECOFTC)

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Dr. Dominick DellaSala
Dr. Dominick DellaSala

Chief Scientist Wild Heritage/Earth Island Institute

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Dr. Dominick A. DellaSala, Chief Scientist at Wild Heritage and former President of the Society for Conservation Biology, North America, is an internationally renowned author of over 250 peer-reviewed papers and books on forests and climate change.
Dr. Rodolfo Dirzo
Dr. Rodolfo Dirzo

Professor Stanford University

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Rodolfo Dirzo, a Professor at Stanford University, teaches Ecology, Conservation Science, and Bio-Cultural Diversity. His research includes evolution of plant defenses, plant and animal extinction, and how this affects ecosystem services and human wellbeing. His work is conducted in Latin America, the Central Pacific, East Africa, and Northern California. His research involves local indigenous and rural communities from the countries where he works.

Dr. Maureen Donnelly
Dr. Maureen Donnelly

Professor, Florida International University

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Erica’s research focuses on ecological responses to changes in land use, land cover, and climate in the western United States. She also contributes to conservation planning for threatened species on public and private lands.

Dr. Stephanie Dolrenry

Co-Founder and Director, Lion Guardians

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Dr. Néstor Fernández
Dr. Néstor Fernández

Senior Researcher, German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv)

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Dr.Jhala is the Senior Professor and Dean at the Wildlife Institute of India, Union Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change. His primary research has focused in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and some in Sri Lanka (all kinds of ecoregions in these areas). Primarily his research has been on carnivores and ungulates and covers aspects of conservation biology, behavior, conservation genetics, demography, landscape status surveys, and eco-physiology.

Dr. Erica Fleishman
Dr. Erica Fleishman

Director of the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute, Oregon State University

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Erica’s research focuses on ecological responses to changes in land use, land cover, and climate in the western United States. She also contributes to conservation planning for threatened species on public and private lands.

Dr. Adrian Forsyth
Dr. Adrian Forsyth

Founder & Executive Director, Andes Amazon Fund

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Adrian began his career as a tropical field conservationist active since 1971. He earned his PhD with EO Wilson, and is the founder of three Conservation NG0s and the Andes Amazon Initiative at Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. He is founder and a strategic advisor at Andes Amazon Fund.

Dr. Brian Gratwicke

Head of Amphibian Conservation Programs, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute

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Dr. Kathleen Gobush
Dr. Kathleen Gobush

Professor, University of Washington

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David is retired from teaching at the University of Maryland, and active in long-term research at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, where he has worked since 1971 on wildflowers and pollinators.
Dr. José F. González-Maya
Dr. José F. González-Maya

Scientific Director, ProCAT

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Adrian began his career as a tropical field conservationist active since 1971. He earned his PhD with EO Wilson, and is the founder of three Conservation NG0s and the Andes Amazon Initiative at Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. He is founder and a strategic advisor at Andes Amazon Fund.

Dr. Martha Groom

University of Washington Bothell & Seattle

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Dr. Craig Guyer
Dr. Craig Guyer

Professor, Auburn University and Curator Emeritus of Amphibians and Reptiles, Auburn University Museum of Natural History

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David is retired from teaching at the University of Maryland, and active in long-term research at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, where he has worked since 1971 on wildflowers and pollinators.
Dr. David Inouye
Dr. David Inouye

Professor Emeritus, University of Maryland

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Adrian began his career as a tropical field conservationist active since 1971. He earned his PhD with EO Wilson, and is the founder of three Conservation NG0s and the Andes Amazon Initiative at Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. He is founder and a strategic advisor at Andes Amazon Fund.

Dr. Rodney Jackson

Founder & Board President, Snow Leopard Conservancy

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Dr. Clinton Jenkins
Dr. Clinton Jenkins

Professor, Florida International University and Vice President, Saving Nature

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David is retired from teaching at the University of Maryland, and active in long-term research at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, where he has worked since 1971 on wildflowers and pollinators.
Dr. Yadvendradev Jhala
Dr. Yadvendradev Jhala

Senior Professor and Dean Wildlife Institute of India

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Dr.Jhala is the Senior Professor and Dean at the Wildlife Institute of India, Union Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change. His primary research has focused in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and some in Sri Lanka (all kinds of ecoregions in these areas). Primarily his research has been on carnivores and ungulates and covers aspects of conservation biology, behavior, conservation genetics, demography, landscape status surveys, and eco-physiology.

Dr. Marcella Kelly
Dr. Marcella Kelly

Professor Virginia Tech University

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DEPARTAMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

Marcella Kelly studies predator demography and is interested in co-existence ecology, especially of wild felids. She uses a variety of techniques including remote cameras, genetic sampling, and GPS collars.

Dr. John Kress

Research Botanist Emertius, Smithsonian Institution

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Dr. Gary Krupnick
Dr. Gary Krupnick

Head of the Plant Conservation Unit Smithsonian Institution

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DEPARTAMENT OF BOTANY

Dr. Gary Krupnick is a research scientist studying plant conservation biology and plant-pollinator interactions. He has conducted conservation assessments of plants of Pacific Islands, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

Dr. Enoka Kudavidanage
Dr. Enoka Kudavidanage

Professor, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka

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David is retired from teaching at the University of Maryland, and active in long-term research at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, where he has worked since 1971 on wildflowers and pollinators.
Dr. Kyran Kunkel
Dr. Kyran Kunkel

Director, Conservation Science Collaborative

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INSTITUTE OF ECOLOGY
Rodrigo is a Senior Professor at UNAM´s Institute of Ecology, working on mammal conservation in Mexico and 16 other countries. He has produced over 250 publications, presided various societies and represented Mexico before CITES and other MEAs. BBC, National Geographic, etc. have covered his work.

Dr. John Lamoreux

Director of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

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Dr. Bette Loiselle

Professor, University of Florida

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Dr. John (Jack) Longino
Dr. John (Jack) Longino

Professor, University of Utah

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DEPARTAMENT OF BIOLOGY Dr. John (Jack) Longino specializes in tropical insect diversity and has coordinated large-scale biodiversity inventory projects in Central America. His research focus is on the taxonomy and ecology of Neotropical ants, and he was an early promoter of web-based dissemination of biodiversity data.
Dr. Pete Lowry
Dr. Pete Lowry

Director of the Africa and Madagascar Program, Missouri Botanical Garden

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AFRICA AND MADAGASCAR PROGRAM Pete Lowry, Director of the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Africa and Madagascar Program, studies the evolution and classification of plants and several tropical floras (Madagascar, New Caledonia), and also coordinates MBG’s extensive research and conservation work in Madagascar.
Dr. Laurie Marker
Dr. Laurie Marker

Cheetah Conservation Fund

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Dr. Binbin Li is the IUCN Species Survival Commission expert and associate editor of Frontiers of Ecology and Evolution. She serves on the editorial board of Conservation Biology, Global Ecology and Conservation and Biodiversity Science. Her research focuses on identifying pathways and synergy between biodiversity conservation and sustainable development, including priority setting and management of protected areas, how human disturbances and climate change influence endangered and endemic species and vertebrate community composition.

Dr. Binbin Li
Dr. Binbin Li

Professor, Duke Kunshan University

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Dr. Binbin Li is the IUCN Species Survival Commission expert and associate editor of Frontiers of Ecology and Evolution. She serves on the editorial board of Conservation Biology, Global Ecology and Conservation and Biodiversity Science. Her research focuses on identifying pathways and synergy between biodiversity conservation and sustainable development, including priority setting and management of protected areas, how human disturbances and climate change influence endangered and endemic species and vertebrate community composition.

Dr. Karen Lips
Dr. Karen Lips

Professor of Biology University of Maryland

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Dr. Karen Lips is Professor of Biology at the University of Maryland. She is an ecologist, specializing on causes and impacts of global change, and impacts on natural ecosystems and human well-being.

Dr. Peter Marra
Dr. Peter Marra

Director Georgetown Environmental Initiative (GEI) at Georgetown University

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Peter Marra uses birds to help define and understand broad environmental issues, tackling contemporary conservation challenges by addressing fundamental knowledge gaps at the intersection of ornithology, ecology, and conservation biology.
Dr. Rodrigo Medellín
Dr. Rodrigo Medellín

Senior Professor National Autonomous University of Mexico

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INSTITUTE OF ECOLOGY
Rodrigo is a Senior Professor at UNAM´s Institute of Ecology, working on mammal conservation in Mexico and 16 other countries. He has produced over 250 publications, presided various societies and represented Mexico before CITES and other MEAs. BBC, National Geographic, etc. have covered his work.

Dr. Reed Noss
Dr. Reed Noss

President Florida Institute for Conservation Science

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Dr. Reed Noss is a conservation writer and photographer. He is an Elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, former Editor-in-Chief, Conservation Biology, and Past-President of the Society for Conservation Biology.
Mr. Roderic Mast
Mr. Roderic Mast

President and CEO, Oceanic Society

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Peter Marra uses birds to help define and understand broad environmental issues, tackling contemporary conservation challenges by addressing fundamental knowledge gaps at the intersection of ornithology, ecology, and conservation biology.
Dr. Robin Moore
Dr. Robin Moore

Re:wild

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INSTITUTE OF ECOLOGY
Rodrigo is a Senior Professor at UNAM´s Institute of Ecology, working on mammal conservation in Mexico and 16 other countries. He has produced over 250 publications, presided various societies and represented Mexico before CITES and other MEAs. BBC, National Geographic, etc. have covered his work.

Dr. David Olson

Conservation Earth Consulting

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Dr. Michael Parr
Dr. Michael Parr

President American Bird Conservancy

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Mike Parr joined ABC in 1996 after graduating from the University of East Anglia, UK, and working for BirdLife International. He has coauthored several books including: Parrots – A Guide to the Parrots of the World, Important Bird Areas in the United States, and The American Bird Conservancy Guide to Bird Conservation, along with numerous articles and papers. He is Chair of the Alliance for Zero Extinction and a member of the Board of Directors of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.
Dr. Carlos Peres
Dr. Carlos Peres

Professor, University of East Anglia; and Founder and Science Director, Instituto Juruá

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INSTITUTE OF ECOLOGY
Rodrigo is a Senior Professor at UNAM´s Institute of Ecology, working on mammal conservation in Mexico and 16 other countries. He has produced over 250 publications, presided various societies and represented Mexico before CITES and other MEAs. BBC, National Geographic, etc. have covered his work.

Dr. Sumith Pilapitiya

Former Director General of Wildlife Conservation, Sri Lanka

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Dr. Stuart Pimm
Dr. Stuart Pimm

Doris Duke Chair of Conservation Ecology, Duke University and President, Saving Nature

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Mike Parr joined ABC in 1996 after graduating from the University of East Anglia, UK, and working for BirdLife International. He has coauthored several books including: Parrots – A Guide to the Parrots of the World, Important Bird Areas in the United States, and The American Bird Conservancy Guide to Bird Conservation, along with numerous articles and papers. He is Chair of the Alliance for Zero Extinction and a member of the Board of Directors of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.
Dr. Lilian Pintea

Vice President of Conservation Science, Jane Goodall Institute

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Dr. Michael Proctor
Dr. Michael Proctor

Canadian bear research ecologist; IUCN SCSC Bear Specialist Group

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Mike Parr joined ABC in 1996 after graduating from the University of East Anglia, UK, and working for BirdLife International. He has coauthored several books including: Parrots – A Guide to the Parrots of the World, Important Bird Areas in the United States, and The American Bird Conservancy Guide to Bird Conservation, along with numerous articles and papers. He is Chair of the Alliance for Zero Extinction and a member of the Board of Directors of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.
Dr. John (Junaidi) Payne
Dr. John (Junaidi) Payne

CEO, Borneo Rhino Alliance

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INSTITUTE OF ECOLOGY
Rodrigo is a Senior Professor at UNAM´s Institute of Ecology, working on mammal conservation in Mexico and 16 other countries. He has produced over 250 publications, presided various societies and represented Mexico before CITES and other MEAs. BBC, National Geographic, etc. have covered his work.

Dr. Tony Rebelo

Scientist, South African National Biodiversity Institute

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Dr. William Ripple
Dr. William Ripple

Professor, Oregon State University

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Mike Parr joined ABC in 1996 after graduating from the University of East Anglia, UK, and working for BirdLife International. He has coauthored several books including: Parrots – A Guide to the Parrots of the World, Important Bird Areas in the United States, and The American Bird Conservancy Guide to Bird Conservation, along with numerous articles and papers. He is Chair of the Alliance for Zero Extinction and a member of the Board of Directors of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.
Dr. Lina Maria Sanchez-Clavijo
Dr. Lina Maria Sanchez-Clavijo

Principal Researcher, Humboldt Biological Resources Research Institute

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INSTITUTE OF ECOLOGY
Rodrigo is a Senior Professor at UNAM´s Institute of Ecology, working on mammal conservation in Mexico and 16 other countries. He has produced over 250 publications, presided various societies and represented Mexico before CITES and other MEAs. BBC, National Geographic, etc. have covered his work.

Dr. Jan Schipper

Arizona Center for Nature Conservation, Phoenix Zoo

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Dr. Çağan H. Şekercioğlu

Professor, University of Utah

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Dr. Luis Anibal Solorzano

Tompkins Conservation; Princeton University

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Dr. Jens-Christian Svenning

Professor, Aarhus University

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Dr. Maria Tapia

Faculty Member, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja

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Dr. Patricia Townsend

Washington State University

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Dr. Steve Trombulak

Professor Emeritus, Middlebury College

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Dr. Ursula Valdez
Dr. Ursula Valdez

Avian ecologist University of Washington Bothell

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Dr. Ursula Valdez (she/hers) is Peruvian-USA tropical avian ecologist interested in the study of species interactions and community ecology in the Neotropical regions, and more recently in the PNW. She is teaching faculty at the University of Washington Bothell where she teaches Ecology, Natural History, field ecology, conservation, and sustainability. She also spends time in the Peruvian Amazon collecting data on bird ecology and diversity and training students in field ecology and conservation of tropical rainforest. She combines her teaching activities with hands-on field experiences, study abroad programs and interdisciplinary collaborations with colleagues and students around the world
Dr. Oscar Venter

Professor, University of Northern British Columbia

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Dr. Alan Weakley

Director, University of North Carolina Herbarium

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Dr. Eric Wikramanayake

Environment Foundation Ltd, Sri Lanka

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Dr. George Wittemyer

Colorado State University

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Dr. Patricia Wright

Stony Brook University

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EMERITUS TEAM MEMBERS

Dr. Eric Dinerstein
Dr. Eric Dinerstein

Co-Founder, Quick Response Fund for Nature

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Eric brings more than four decades of hands-on experience saving endangered large mammals and tropical rainforest habitat to the QRFN. He is currently CEO of Nightjar and a Senior Expert on RESOLVE’s Conservation Solutions team.

Don Weeden
Don Weeden

Co-Founder, Quick Response Fund for Nature

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Stuart Pimm holds the Doris Duke Chair of Conservation at Duke University and is a leading authority on species extinctions and how to prevent them. His honours included the Tyler, Heineken, and Cosmos Prizes.