The Researchers

Heather Riffel

High school teacher by day and our traveling science reporter. Heather is an avid hiker and gardener. See how her students participated in the research.

Dr. Paolo D'Odorico

Professor of ecohydrology at the University of Virginia. Paolo hails from Padua, Italy, and has studied linkages between water, soil, and plants in arid and humid ecosystems around the world. More...

Kebonyethata Dintwe

Rangeland ecologist working for the Government of Botswana and a Master’s candidate at UCLA. His summers are spent doing fieldwork in Botswana and spending time with his family.

Dr. Greg Okin

Professor of Geography at UCLA. Greg is a world-class chef and studies arid ecosystems across the world. More...

Thoralf Meyer

Ph.D. student at the University of Virginia. As a German citizen, he has been living in Botswana for more than a decade. He truly enjoys being in the bush– no office, no cell phone, no internet.

Natalie Mladenov

Research scientist at the University of Colorado. Born in Hollis, New York City, Natalie’s research has taken her from Botswana to Spain. She loves mountain biking and science. More…

Dr. Kelly Caylor

Assistant professor at Princeton University.  When Kelly in not conducting research in sub-Saharan Africa, he his building wooden boats or tending his garden.