Our Lab

ESTEFANIA ERAZO-MERA

Estefania is an environmental engineer by training and a conservation scientist by trade. She received her undergraduate degree (2008) in Ecuador, her Master’s degree (2015) in Australia and she is currently in the third year of her PhD at JCU. In her current project, Estefania is using remote sensing to evaluate the drivers responsible of habitat loss in fragile ecosystems such us the tropical rainforest in West Africa, her case of study is the rare pygmy hippo. Because little is known about pygmy hippo, Estefania is also experimenting with molecular techniques to provide genetic information about this charismatic animal. Her project counts with the collaboration of experts from different research areas, zoos institutions and private companies that are committed to provide their contribution for the pygmy hippo conservation.