Hasina Rakotoarisoa
La Mananara — Student Researcher
Hasina is an emerging conservation scientist with a strong focus on plant–animal interactions and forest ecology in Madagascar. Growing up surrounded by the country’s unique landscapes and biodiversity, she developed an early interest in wildlife and ecosystem dynamics. During her Master’s research, she investigated the persistence of orphaned plant species in the absence of their primary dispersers, contributing to ongoing efforts to understand the ecological consequences of disrupted seed dispersal systems. Building on this work, she has expanded her research to examine the roles of lemurs and native rodents in seed dispersal, with particular emphasis on their contributions to forest regeneration and connectivity. Hasina has gained extensive field experience in Ranomafana National Park, where she has worked as both a researcher and field coordinator, supporting long-term ecological studies on seed dispersal. She also participated in the National Geographic Society (NGS) STEM Field Assistant program, further strengthening her technical and research capacity. She currently serves as a field manager, coordinating the lab’s field programs across Madagascar and contributing to data collection, project implementation, and team logistics.
Hasina recently completed her Master’s degree in Zoology and Animal Biodiversity at the University of Antananarivo. Her research interests include plant–animal interactions, seed dispersal, and animal diversity.
Q&A with Hasina
What draws you to a career in wildlife conservation?
When I was a child, I had a cat and a puppy as pets. I was always fascinated by how they interacted and often created my own interpretations of their behavior. This close attention to animals inspired me to become more involved in conservation work in the future.
Who or what inspires you?
My fascination with the natural world has been my greatest motivation, leading me to pursue studies in Animal Biology and Conservation. My dream is to bring new life and opportunities to my island, which I believe has incredible potential.
What is your favorite food?
My favorite food is akoho gasy rony. It is a simple dish of chicken cooked in a flavorful broth with ginger and salt. It’s simple, but absolutely delicious.
What is your favorite movie?
My favorite movie is The Notebook.
What is one of the coolest experiences you’ve had in your work?
Spending so much time in nature and observing lemurs in their natural habitat has been an incredible experience. Being able to witness their behavior firsthand is always truly amazing.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I would go to Australia. It has been my dream destination since childhood. I grew up watching documentaries featuring incredible animals like kangaroos and blue whales, species I had only ever seen on screen, so seeing them in real life would be unforgettable.
Besides lemurs, what is one of your favorite animals, and why?
Besides lemurs, my favorite animal is the whale shark. I am fascinated by how such a large animal can be completely gentle and feed only on tiny organisms in the ocean.
Why do you care about Madagascar and its wildlife?
I care deeply about Madagascar’s wildlife because my country is home to so many unique species and holds immense ecological potential. It is truly unlike anywhere else on Earth.