zRosa Vásquez Espinoza, Ph.D., a Peruvian chemical biologist of Andean-Amazonian heritage, captivated the audience at the Explorers Club. Her compelling explanation of her recent expedition to document the enigmatic “Boiling River” in Peru was truly eye-opening.

Dr. Espinoza seamlessly weaves cutting-edge science with indigenous knowledge to protect Amazonian biodiversity. Her inspiration lies in her grandmother’s wisdom as a healer. As the International Ashaninka Ambassador, she has been recognized by the BBC’s “100 Women 2024” list and has been named to the Explorers Club EC50 Class of 2024.

As the founder of Amazon Research Int (ARI), Dr. Espinosa collaborates with native communities to uncover the rainforest’s untapped biodiversity. She advocates for global conservation through science, the Rights of Nature, and storytelling. Her groundbreaking achievements include pioneering microbial exploration of the Amazonian Boiling River and conducting the first chemical analysis of Amazonian stingless bees and medicinal honey in Peru.

For more information about Dr. Espinoza, visit her website: https://www.rosavespinoza.com/

https://www.amazonresearch.org/

Here is her presentation at the Club;

On Saturday, I attended a captivating lecture by renowned criminologist, researcher, and expert in counter-wildlife trafficking strategies, Monique Sosnowski, at the Asia Society in the Upper East Side. Her infectious humor and focus on data-driven criminal tracking left a lasting impression.

She was getting an award from The Explorers Club for her work, as one of the clubs Next Generation of explorers. Here’s a link; https://50.explorers.org/

Sosnowski’s multidisciplinary approach seamlessly bridges academia, global policy, and on-the-ground training to address pressing environmental and criminal justice challenges. She’s conducted counter-wildlife trafficking trainings for governmental agencies and NGOs in Kyrgyzstan and Brazil, equipping stakeholders with practical tools to combat illegal wildlife trade. She’s also developed internationally utilized digital training modules for large NGOs, emphasizing innovative, data-driven approaches to enforcement and prevention.

A trailblazing female leader in law enforcement and wildlife crime prevention, Sosnowski has made significant contributions to research spanning over 20 publications across academic journals and NGO reports. Her research explores the intersections of organized crime, environmental exploitation, and wildlife trafficking, featured in esteemed journals like Conservation Science and Practice, Biological Conservation, and Deviant Behavior. Notably, her publication “An Empirical Assessment of Drug Trafficking Trends from Latin America into the United States: The Role of Fishing” delves into criminal convergence and how illicit networks operate.

Monique’s passion for diversity and inclusion in global conservation drives her work with organizations like PEW Charitable Trusts and Earth League International. She actively fosters interdisciplinary collaboration to find innovative solutions to complex global issues. Monique’s groundbreaking approaches and unwavering dedication inspire others to embrace bold, creative methods in addressing pressing global challenges.

Visit her website at https://www.msosnowski.com/ for more information. She also discussed a significant trafficker, a Lao Exotic animal smuggler.

One of the New Divers on the team, Leonie Hoff, Just had an article published about her work  studying the fingerprints n ancient clay statuettes found recently by our team in Egypt.

The Science News Today Article says;
"A fascinating and groundbreaking study by Ph.D. student Leonie Hoff from the University of Oxford, recently published in the Oxford Journal of Archaeology, unveils how ancient fingerprints preserved on terracotta figurines provide compelling clues about the age, sex, and potential roles of the makers involved in their production. This research offers a rare glimpse into the lives of the artisans of Thonis-Heracleion, an ancient Egyptian port city that flourished between the seventh and second centuries BCE, shedding new light on a profession that has remained largely mysterious for centuries."

Silicone molded copy of imprints found on the interior of H20257, including measurements taken for ridge breadths (lines) and ridge densities (squares). Credit: Franck Goddio/Hilti Foundation.

If you want the full article from The Oxford Journal of Archaeology, go Here