Paola Barriga Braving Challenges of Amazon

While working on her bachelor’s degree in biology, Paola Barriga braved the challenges of torrential rain, menacing snakes, and the sometimes hostile Waorani neighbors as she collected specimens in Amazonia, the world’s largest tropical rainforest. Spanning more than half of Brazil, the 2.5 million square miles of the Amazon Basin contain a wealth of life richer than any place on earth.

Her strength and independence caught the attention of Cindy Sagers, an associate professor of biological sciences. Sagers recommended Barriga for a Russell Train Fellowship from the Education for Nature program sponsored by the World Wildlife Federation.

Barriga began her master’s program at the University of Arkansas during the summer of 2006, funded by a Train Fellowship worth $22,500. Only one applicant in 10 among the 200 who applied won the fellowships, which support master’s and doctoral students who are conducting fieldwork and leading conservation efforts around the globe. In addition to covering tuition, books, and travel, the fellowship also supports the cost of room and board for up to two years.

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