The FPI Team
Meet Our People
We are a collection of researchers and educators with a passion for wildlife biology, tropical ecology, and conservation.
The Board
Mrinalini Watsa
Co-Founder, Senior Scientist
Ph.D in Biological Anthropology
Research Interests:
Reproductive Biology of Primates, Infant Development, Conservation Genomics
Jacob Johnson
Treasurer
M.A.T. in Elementary Education,
Law Student - University of Chicago
Interests:
Economics, Civil Rights Law, Early Childhood Education
Timothy E. Paine
President
B.S. in Biology, Herpetologist, San Francisco Bay Area Law Enforcement
Interests:
Reptile and Amphibian Form and Function, Ecology, Conservation, Wildlife Education
Patrick Osborne
Ph.D. in Biology
Research Interests:
Aquatic Ecology, Tropical Ecosystems, Conservation, Population Biology
Rhea Mac
Secretary
Master's in Public Policy - University of Southern California & M.A. in Anthropology - California State University
Interests:
Environmental & Social Conservation & Sustainability, Public Policy,
Efstathia Robakis
Ph.D. in Biology
Research Interests:
Primate Behavior & Communication
Our Team
Gideon Erkenswick
Executive Director
Gustav Steinhardt
Associate Research Scientist
Samantha López Clinton
Associate Research Scientist
Naija Cuzmar
Veterinary Technician
Alice Poirier
Associate Research Scientist
Ishaan Raghunandan
Conservation Tech Engineer
Aaron Erkenswick
Software Developer
Thomas Parsons
ISL Program Associate
Ana Priscila
Veterinary Scientist
Stefan Prost
Field Course Instructor
Clara Dell
Administrative Coordinator
Hannah Kim
Scientific Illustrations Intern
Cristian Tirapelle
Veterinary Scientist
Rachel Voyt
Research Collaborator
Kassidy Kowchefski
Programs & Communications Coordinator
Former Team Members
Aaron Pomerantz
Field Course Instructor
Claudia Rohr
Field Program Leader
Gene Estrada
Program Leader/Collaborator
Krista Banda
Visiting Research Scientist
Rebecca Chen
Program Leader/Collaborator
Alexandra Sacco
Associate Research Scientist
Daniel Nienhuis
Program Leader/Collaborator
Jen Stabile
Collaborator and Instructor
Leticia Gutiérrez
Veterinary Scientist
Ryan Peters
Media Science Communicator
Anjali Malik
Former Board Member
Efstathia Robakis
Associate Research Scientist
Kathleen Apakupakul
Volunteer
Madeline McNelis
Field Program Leader
Shreya Kothaneth
Board Member
Benjamin Lybarger
Outreach Coordinator
Frances Humes
Field Program Manager
KC Hill
Veterinary Scientist
Matt DeVries
Visiting Research Scientist
Kate Molton
Field Program Coordinator