Stony Brook University Distinguished Service Professor Patricia Wright has been selected for a Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Primatological Society (IPS). This award recognizes her extensive work in lemur research and conservation, as well as her contributions to primatology and conservation science.
Professor Wright, who is part of the Department of Anthropology at Stony Brook’s College of Arts and Sciences, is also the founder and executive director of the Centre ValBio international research station in Madagascar. She will be honored at the IPS Annual Congress in Madagascar on July 24. During this event, she will deliver a lecture titled “Research and Conservation of the World’s Most Endangered Mammals: Engaging Communities and Protecting Lemurs,” where she will discuss her experiences in primatology and tropical biology.
Her accomplishments include discovering the golden bamboo lemur, establishing Ranomafana National Park, completing the Madagascar Environmental Action Plan, delineating World Heritage Sites for Eastern Rainforest National Parks, inaugurating Centre ValBio Research Station, exploring Ivohiboro rainforest, and collaborating with Malagasy and international researchers.
“I’m so pleased Pat is being recognized with this award. A beloved professor and colleague, Pat is generous with her expertise and is a tremendous asset to our strong Department of Anthropology,” said Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Carl W. Lejuez. “Her dedication to unravelling and protecting the mysteries of Madagascar is almost as unique as the island nation itself. She has empowered a generation of international scientists, engaged local communities, and created a national park and heritage site. She is truly deserving of this lifetime achievement award, as she has dedicated her life to this work.”
After her lecture, a symposium titled “From Lemurs to Landscapes: Celebrating Dr. Patricia Wright’s Legacy in Conservation, Primatology and Public Health” will take place. This event will highlight her decades-long dedication to understanding Madagascar’s primates through talks by colleagues, collaborators, and students.
The presentations will focus on research inspired by Professor Wright’s work including studies on primate behavior affected by climate change on tropical ecosystems. Talks will also cover her role in creating Ranomafana National Park—a model for community-based conservation—and long-term ecological studies on Propithecus edwardsi among other lemur species.
“I’m thrilled to be chosen for this award and it’s wonderful to receive this honor at the IPS Congress in Madagascar,” said Professor Wright. “I’m happy that so many of my students will be at the IPS meetings and we will celebrate together!”
The International Primatological Society Congress brings together leading figures from around the world involved in primate research conservation efforts.
The International Primatological Society was established to promote non-human primate scientific research across nationalities while facilitating cooperation among scientists worldwide focusing on preserving all primate species scientifically educationally charitably organized purposes exclusively.
