Stony Brook University President Andrea Goldsmith recently returned from a 10-day visit to two of the university’s international research centers in Africa. Her trip included stops at the Turkana Basin Institute (TBI) in Kenya and Centre ValBio in Madagascar, highlighting Stony Brook’s ongoing global research efforts.
Goldsmith described her experience as both “inspirational and educational,” noting the breadth of topics she encountered. “This has been a truly remarkable experience,” Goldsmith wrote during her travels. “I have learned so much about paleontology, stratigraphy, anthropology, biodiversity and conservation, which drive home the enrichment of lifelong education.”
In Kenya, Goldsmith visited TBI, a center for human origins research established by the late Richard Leakey and Stony Brook University in 2005. The institute is located in the Lake Turkana region and supports year-round research into fossil and archaeological discoveries. “In the Lake Turkana region we learned about the transformative human evolution research by some of Stony Brook’s preeminent scholars in the study of human origins,” Goldsmith said. “It was impressive to see the impact of strong collaborations between students, faculty members, local researchers and staff whose partnerships have driven and supported groundbreaking scientific discoveries.”
During her time at TBI’s field centers in Ileret and Turkwel, Goldsmith toured laboratories, excavation sites, and met with Kenyan researchers. She also joined Louise Leakey, a Stony Brook research professor and daughter of Richard Leakey, for guided fossil walks and discussions on recent geological findings.
The trip included visits to community projects backed by TBI such as a health clinic, school, and sustainable infrastructure programs involving hydroponics, renewable energy, and water systems. According to Goldsmith, these initiatives show how scientific work can benefit local communities.
“Visiting two magical and beautiful places that have enabled Stony Brook to play a leadership role in advancing the frontiers of science has been educational, enriching and enjoyable,” she said. “It was equally inspirational meeting the incredibly passionate and thoughtful experts who are leading vital research on conservation, climate change, biodiversity, ecology, agriculture and human-wildlife interactions.”
A notable part of Goldsmith’s visit was spending time with 21 Simons STEM Scholars—sophomore and junior students taking part in their first study abroad program at TBI. She joined them for dinner as well as a tour of Nakwaperit, an archaeological site inhabited around 5,000 years ago.
From Kenya, Goldsmith traveled to Madagascar to tour Centre ValBio near Ranomafana National Park. Founded by Distinguished Professor Patricia Wright from Stony Brook’s anthropology department, this station focuses on biodiversity preservation alongside sustainable development efforts.
At Centre ValBio she met with faculty members conducting studies on lemur behavior and forest ecology. During one hike she observed three bamboo lemur species within an hour; later that day she saw several chameleons along with a mouse lemur—the world’s smallest primate.
Goldsmith also met with community leaders in Antananarivo as well as government officials working on environmental protection initiatives. She spent time with SUNY students participating in winter study abroad programs who were collaborating with Malagasy peers on academic projects.
Reflecting on her visit to Africa’s research sites, Goldsmith said: “The trip to Africa was timely as we engage in efforts to chart a bold strategic vision for Stony Brook’s future. As we identify opportunities to accelerate our excellence and impact across all dimensions of education, research, healthcare and service to our community, the great state of New York, the country, and the world we will strengthen our commitment to research excellence student opportunity and global engagement.” She added: “I know I will continue to reflect on this uplifting visit in the days weeks and months ahead.”
