Suffolk Reporter

Stony Brook University doctoral student Florence Aghomo has been awarded the Young Women in Conservation Biology Award by the Society for Conservation Biology Africa Region. Aghomo, who is part of the Interdepartmental Doctoral Program in Anthropological Sciences and a member of the Institute for the Conservation of Tropical Environments, is under the supervision of SUNY and Stony Brook Distinguished Service Professor Patricia C. Wright.

The award recognizes women for their contributions to conservation. Since June 2019, Aghomo has coordinated the Red Colobus Conservation Network project, working with organizations like the Primates Specialist Group of the Species Survival Commission of IUCN/SSC/PSG, Re:wild, and the African Primatological Society. Her responsibilities include coordinating conservation efforts, collaborating with partners, fundraising, organizing meetings, and supporting professional growth through training.

Aghomo's earlier work focused on studying endangered Red colobus monkeys in Cameroon’s Korup National Park. She highlighted their significance as "perfect indicators of ecosystem health or habitat change."

In 2020, Aghomo helped establish the Cameroon Primatological Society and organized its general assemblies with Re:wild's support. She also founded a Language and Environmental Center in Madagascar to promote education and conservation.

Professor Wright praised Aghomo as "a conservation hero," acknowledging her impact on wildlife preservation in Africa.

The Young Women in Conservation Biology Working Group was created in 2005 to address gender disparities in African conservation science and provide mentorship opportunities for early-career female biologists.

Florence Aghomo currently resides in Stony Brook while pursuing her studies at Stony Brook University.