While interning at the Caldwell Zoo and the Smithsonian National Zoo, Elizabeth Ferreira witnessed firsthand the personal sacrifices keepers make to ensure animal welfare. Wanting to give back and create meaningful change, she became inspired to develop time and cost effective tools that empower keepers in their daily lives. Elizabeth is currently a PhD student at Kyoto University’s Wildlife Research Center.

For professional inquiries, please contact:
elizabeth@enrichtheirlives.org

After eight years of teaching at junior high and high schools in Kyoto, Japan, Kazaho Tsumura entered academia to pursue research in animal welfare. He is currently a PhD student at Kyoto University’s Wildlife Research Center, where he studies practical initiatives that connect schools and zoos and create mutually beneficial relationships between students and zoo animals.

For professional inquiries, please contact:
tsumura@enrichtheirlives.org

Isa Walker studies the ecology and conservation of Bornean orangutans, exploring how forest disturbance influences diet, behavior, and immune function in wild populations. She is currently completing a master’s degree and preparing to pursue a PhD at Kyoto University’s Wildlife Research Center. Prior to her graduate studies, Isa was involved in sanctuary and zoo work in Indiana, where she was dedicated to improving the welfare of several primate species through enrichment programs, including computer-based tasks for chimpanzees. She is also passionate about interdisciplinary approaches to conservation and works to bridge science communication with art, music, and creative writing.

For professional inquiries, please contact:
isa@enrichtheirlives.org