Sophie Lieberman Transforms Senior Research into Fulbright Project

“As an EVST major at Yale, I concentrated in the Environmental Humanities. For my senior thesis I investigated the success of an agroforestry restoration project led by an international foundation on pasture land in the Azuero Peninsula of Panama. Through this research, I learned about the importance of gathering farmer input and creating projects that take into account the livelihood needs of local residents during restoration and conservation efforts. I used this experience to guide my Fulbright research fellowship in Ecuador, where I collaborated with Fundación Ecominga to evaluate plant biodiversity and agricultural practices across an agricultural and conservation matrix in a cloud forest ecosystem and small community in Northwestern Ecuador. During my Fulbright Grant, I was able to learn from both conservation leaders in Ecuador and local farmers in very rural areas about the shared and competing needs of these groups. I also explored one of the most biodiverse areas on Earth, spending many days alongside rare and endangered plant and animal species and making meaningful connections with the people who live there!”

Sophie Lieberman, EVST ‘22