Meet The Scientists!

Jan Schipper Posted on May 28, 2006 by

Jan is a PhD candidate with the University of Idaho & Centro Agronomico Tropical de Investigacion y Ensenanza (CATIE), is the Director and founder of ProCAT, and Latin American and Caribbean Coordinator of the IUCN Global Mammal Assessment. Jan is a Neotropical mammal ecologist, conservation scientist, and biogeographer, and has over 15 years of experience working in Costa Rica and throughout the Americas. His current research focuses estimating the distribution and density of Felids and their prey across a variety of habitat types and land-uses. Other interests include conservation photography and the use of camera-traps in studying and monitoring rare and elusive wildlife. When not making maps and running trap lines, Jan can be found practicing underwater photography on the reef or fixing camera-traps.

Beth Polidoro Posted on May 28, 2006 by

Beth is a PhD candidate in Soil and Water Quality in a joint program between the University of Idaho and Centro Agronomico Tropical de Investigacion y Ensenanza (CATIE), and is ProCAT's Conservation Chemist. Her current research is focused on the ecotoxicology of applied pesticides in Talamanca, Costa Rica. For the past three years she has been collaborating with regional NGOs and several research institutions to monitor contaminants in aquatic resources and to develop an ecological risk assessment for contaminants in Talamanca. She also works closely with indigenous farmers to characterize soils on their farms and to develop community based educational resources on pesticide safety and the reduction of agrochemical use. Beth loves to travel and has spent the past 12 years working on projects in S.E. Asia, Latin America, Africa and the U.S. that combine community development and education with natural resource conservation. When not sampling for contaminants, Beth enjoys snorkeling along the Caribbean coast and making jewelry.

Jose Fernando Gonzalez Maya Posted on May 28, 2006 by

Jose is a Masters student at CATIE, and is currently competing his field work on the status and distribution of jaguar and their prey on the Pacific Slopes of the Cordillera Talamanca. Jose is an experienced photographer and field ecologist. When not in the field studying mammals, he can be found at his home...the Serpentarium...in Rincon de La Vieja, where he is studying behavior and captive breeding some of the countries numerous vipers.

Eduard Stuart Jackson Posted on May 28, 2006 by

Eduard is a native Talamancan, and is project Field Coordinator for ProCAT. Eduard grew up in Yorkin (Bribi Indigenous Territory) and later moved to Hone Creek (Kekoldi Indigenous Territory). He is an experienced animal tracker and is completely at home in the forests of Talamanca. When not in the field Eduard can be found enjoying a game of soccer on any television, anywhere.

Chris Lorion Posted on May 28, 2006 by

Chris is a PhD candidate with the University of Idaho & Centro Agronomico Tropical de Investigacion y Ensenanza (CATIE), and is ProCAT's Freshwater Scientist and aquatic specialist. Chris is currently studying the effects of fragmentation of fish and macroinvertibrate communities in Talamanca, as well as theories and implications of aquatic conservation planning. When not crunching data or counting aquatic insects in the lab - Chris can be found hauling electro-shockers through waste deep mud in the pouring rain...with his wife - Julie.

Leigh Winowiecki Posted on May 28, 2006 by

Leigh is a PhD candidate in Soil Biogeochemistry and Pedology in a joint program between the University of Idaho and Centro Agronomico Tropical de Investigacion y Ensenanza (CATIE), and is ProCAT's soil scientist. Leigh is currently studying the biogeochemical cycling of base cations in Ultisols under cacao agroforestry and shifting cultivations systems to evaluate the sustainability of these systems. This project incorporates scientific and local knowledge in the Bribri-Cabécar Indigenous Territories. Leigh works with local farmers, students, and organizations to gather and share information. When not digging soil pits, Leigh can be found teaching yoga or riding the bus to and from her field sites.

Ruth Dahlquist Posted on May 28, 2006 by

Ruth is a PhD candidate in Entomology in a joint program between the University of Idaho and Centro Agronomico Tropical de Investigacion y Ensenanza (CATIE), and is ProCAT's Agroecologist. Her research interests include organic agriculture, insect ecology, and adapting existing integrated pest management (IPM) technologies for use by small farmers in the tropics. She is currently conducting research with indigenous farmers in smallholder plantain farms in Talamanca on alternatives to pesticides for management of the banana weevil (Cosmopolites sordidus). Ruth has also collaborated with a local organic cooperative to determine the severity of banana weevil damage in organic banana farms and recommend potential nonchemical pest management practices. Ruth enjoys working directly with farmers and hopes to continue working in community-based research in sustainable agriculture. When not tracking down weevils in plantain farms, she can be found picking at her guitar or devouring a good book.