Sophia roberts
Student Researcher—La Mananara Site
Sophia is a senior at Barnard College of Columbia University, majoring in Environment and Sustainability. She brings a diverse background in environmental work, including conducting NSF-funded research on urban air inequality in New York City, supporting campus sustainability initiatives through Barnard’s Office of Sustainability, and working as a farmhand on a small-scale, sustainability-focused livestock farm.
Sophia first came to Madagascar in February 2025 through a study abroad program, during which she spent a month at La Mannara researching Calumma brevicorne and Calumma globifer. This experience sparked a deep passion for conservation in Madagascar, motivating her to continue her study on these chameleon species for the entire Austral winter to add to existing research on their microhabitat preferences and help determine the full effects of climate change and forest degradation on their populations.
Q&A with sophia
What draws you to a career in wildlife conservation?
I’ve always felt most at home while in nature. I grew up in the Hudson Valley of upstate New York, where I spent much of my time exploring forests and hiking with my family in the Catskills. Being surrounded by nature from such a young age shaped who I am and instilled a deep appreciation for the natural world. I’m currently completing my undergraduate degree, but I know I want to pursue a career in conservation. I believe climate change is one of the most urgent issues of our time, and to me, one of the most meaningful ways to address it is through conservation work.
Who or what inspires you?
When I was younger, I watched the documentary Fantastic Fungi, which left a lasting impression on me because it highlighted how much is still unknown about fungi, and by extension, how much untapped potential exists in nature. That sense of mystery and discovery within ecology and environmental science is a big part of what inspires me to pursue environmental research.
Is there a book has influenced you or made a strong impression?
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer is one of my favorite books. I admire how she integrates scientific understanding with Indigenous knowledge and storytelling, and I try to carry some of those values into my own approach to research.
What is your favorite food?
Beans! Which is awesome because we eat a lot of them at camp, and I’ve been able to try so many different kinds here that aren’t available in the U.S.
What is your favorite movie?
I love Alien and all the films in that franchise.
What is one of the coolest experiences you’ve had in your work?
Every day in La Mananara feels special to me, but one moment that stood out recently was when I was taking environmental measurements on a Calumma globifer (globe-horned chameleon) and suddenly heard something in the trees. It turned out to be a group of Propithecus diadema (diademed sifakas). Seeing these two endemic and incredibly unique species at the same time made me feel so grateful to be here in Madagascar.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I’d love to return to Australia. My dad is Australian, and I visited when I was 12, but now I’d really like to explore more of the country as an adult and experience its diverse landscapes and wildlife.
Besides lemurs, what is one of your favorite animals, and why?
Probably the Komodo dragon or really any kind of monitor lizard. They’re just so big and unique, and I’ve yet to see any animal like that in person.
Why do you care about Madagascar and its wildlife?
I really fell in love with Madagascar during my study abroad program. It was a life-changing experience that introduced me to so much flora and fauna that I had never encountered before. But beyond just the wildlife, it was the experience of being at La Mananara and working with local guides and Malagasy researchers that made me feel deeply connected to this country. I came to understand the unique biodiversity here and simultaneously, the unique challenges Madagascar faces in relation to poverty, sustainability, and conservation. I now believe that much of Madagascar’s future depends on sustainable conservation, and I’m committed to being part of that effort.