Help Ella travel to the US to present her research!

Help Ella present her research at Purdue University this summer! This fund will cover international and local travel, accommodations, meals, visa expenses, and the registration fee for the American Society of Mammalogists Conference.

My friend Ella has the opportunity to present her important research on lemur conservation to a global audience, and we’re on a mission to help her take the stage at Purdue University this summer. She has dedicated her life’s work to the conservation of lemurs and their natural habitats, and she dreams of contributing to wildlife preservation and rehabilitation efforts at a global scale.

Ella is the type of person who would give you the shirt off her back without hesitation. Her enduring spirit of altruism is a testament to her boundless potential in the field of environmentalism. This conference would be a major stepping stone in her journey to protect and revitalize the natural world and its inhabitants for future generations.

Meeting this fundraising goal will enable Ella to accept this life-changing opportunity. Any support you could provide would mean the absolute world to her. She received a stipend, but it will only cover a fraction of the necessary expenses for her to attend the conference. This woman is always the first person to put her own needs aside in order to help another, and she never expects anything in return. It’s high time that we come together to help her break into the international conservation scene!

FROM ELLA:

My name is Démétrius Ella Delphine Harisoamalala, and I’m an early-career scientist from Fianarantsoa, Madagascar, passionate about the incredible biodiversity of my country. I received my Master’s degree in Life Sciences from the Faculté des Sciences, University of Fianarantsoa in 2023. My Master’s focused on the comparison of behavior and diet of Propithecus edwardsi between disturbed and undisturbed forests within Ranomafana National Park.

My passion for lemurs started when I participated in the Stony Brook study abroad program in 2018, where I deepened my understanding of their biology and ecology. Learning that these unique primates are endemic to Madagascar and face a high risk of extinction reinforced my commitment to studying them. Since then, I have devoted my career to supporting their conservation through my research.

This year, I was given an opportunity to present my research at the 104th American Society of Mammalogists (ASM) Annual Meeting, which will be held at Purdue University in Indiana, USA, from June 27 to July 1, 2025. My abstract, titled Activity budgets and climate effects on the Greater Bamboo Lemur: implications for conservation, was accepted for a presentation at the conference. This is the same research study I submitted for publication, thanks to a grant from Lemur Love, which supported my scientific writing. Additionally, I am honored to have been awarded the ASM International Relations Committee Travel Award to help cover a portion of my airfare. Attending this conference through the completion of my fundraising goal will be a significant step in my personal, academic and professional growth.

This opportunity will not only improve my scientific communication skills, but also provide a platform to share my work as a budding Malagasy primatologist with a broader audience. I believe it is crucial to advance the field by amplifying the voices of scientists from primate range areas. Our commitment to conservation is vital as human pressures continue to destroy lemur habitats and contribute to their population decline, which we witness daily.

Madagascar is universally known for its megadiversity, yet many of its endemic species, including Prolemur simus (the Greater Bamboo Lemur), are facing significant conservation challenges. Communicating my findings is just as important as conducting the research itself. I am hoping to exchange knowledge about conservation strategies with other researchers from different parts of the world at this conference. Deepening my understanding of mammal behavior, ecology, and conservation will inspire me to pursue new research endeavors that build on my findings. My presentation on how climate conditions affect the critically endangered Prolemur simus could in turn provide insight for other conservationists’ work.

Additionally, as I aspire to pursue a Ph.D., attending this conference will be a crucial step in expanding my knowledge, connecting with experts in my field, meeting with potential Ph.D. advisors, and interacting with stakeholders and conservation practitioners from diverse backgrounds with similar interests. These connections will help me establish meaningful collaborations and broaden my research focus beyond Madagascar, allowing me to contribute to global conservation efforts.

However, I need your help to make this opportunity a reality. Without this funding, attending the conference would be financially out of reach for me. This support is crucial to help me grow as a scientist, expand my knowledge and network, and make meaningful contributions to my field. Every little bit counts, and your support will mean the world to me! For those who can't contribute financially, I would greatly appreciate it if you could spread the word by sharing this link.

Misaotra betsaka! (Thank you so much!)