Erin Ehmke, Ph.D. Director of Research “Growing up, I knew my path would revolve around animals. I wanted so badly to follow in the footsteps of my hero, Jane Goodall, but had no idea how to make that dream a reality. At that time, the only careers I knew that worked with animals were zoo […]
An aye-aye’s cancer diagnosis brings together veterinarians, doctors, and scientists from NC and around the world By Sally Bornbusch, Ph.D. Originally published in December 2021 in Issue 3 of the Duke Lemur Center’s annual magazine. On June 24, 2020, the DLC welcomed its eighth infant of the season: a rare baby aye-aye. Named “Winifred” after […]
What are the links among agriculture, socioeconomics, and food security in the SAVA region of Madagascar? Preliminary report on research results by Nestorine, Ardhilles Andriantinefiarijaona, Esperio Jaozandry, and James P. Herrera Background Food insecurity, malnutrition, and deforestation are global challenges facing low-and middle-income countries, particularly in the tropics. In 2017, more than 800 million […]
When the gut’s internal ecosystem goes awry, could an ancient if gross-sounding treatment make it right? By Robin Smith, Ph.D. Originally published on the Duke Research blog on November 17, 2021. Read the original here. Dr. Cathy Williams knew something wasn’t right. The veterinarian had felt off for weeks after her 2014 trip to Madagascar. […]
Around 30 million years ago, the Earth’s climate shifted from swampy to icy, and 63 percent of mammal species vanished from Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. A large collection of fossils housed at the Duke Lemur Center Division of Fossil Primates, representing the life’s work of the late Elwyn Simons of Duke, has enabled scientists […]
Founded in 2011, the DLC-SAVA Conservation project is dedicated to preserving the natural biodiversity of Madagascar—especially its charismatic lemurs—by empowering local communities to be conservation leaders. In doing so, we collaborate with Malagasy communities, researchers, organizations, and governmental institutions to promote environmental education, reforestation, sustainable agriculture, rainforest protection, family planning, and conservation-oriented lemur research. Filmed […]
Research scientists Marina Blanco, Ph.D. and Lydia Greene, Ph.D. study lemurs here at the DLC—home to the most diverse population of lemurs outside of Madagascar. Some people might assume that they do this just to hang out with these adorable primates all day, but the truth is that their research could be critical to the […]
Independent research by local scientists making a difference in the SAVA region By Andolalao Rakotoarison, Tanjona Ramiadantsoa, Thio Rosin Fulgence, and James Herrera Science is a fundamental part of society, yet it is often an exclusive field. To be a scientist requires education, which requires the finances of obtaining that education. In low-resource settings […]
