Dr. Rosa Vasquez Espinoza – National Geographic Explorer, Amazon Scientist & Advocate for Indigenous Wisdom and Biodiversity cover art

Dr. Rosa Vasquez Espinoza – National Geographic Explorer, Amazon Scientist & Advocate for Indigenous Wisdom and Biodiversity

Dr. Rosa Vasquez Espinoza – National Geographic Explorer, Amazon Scientist & Advocate for Indigenous Wisdom and Biodiversity

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 In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we journey into the heart of the Amazon and the mind of a remarkable woman pushing the boundaries of science, culture, and conservation—Dr. Rosa Vásquez Espinoza. Rosa is a Peruvian chemical biologist, National Geographic Explorer, UN Harmony with Nature Scientist, and the founder of Amazon Research Internacional. Splitting her time between Bath, England, and the Peruvian rainforest, Rosa blends cutting-edge research with ancestral knowledge to protect biodiversity and uplift indigenous communities. Her journey—from a curious child growing up in Peru to leading expeditions in the Amazon, researching the legendary Boiling River, studying stingless bees, and authoring The Spirit of the Rainforest—is nothing short of extraordinary. Rosa shares how she learned expedition skills later in life, why documenting indigenous science is crucial, and what it means to be a female scientist navigating international platforms like the UN and COP16. This conversation is packed with insight into climate resilience, overcoming self-doubt, and the healing power of nature, science, and community. Rosa’s message is a powerful call to action for women everywhere: follow the questions that stay in your head—you never know where they may lead. New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries. Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast. Your support makes a difference. Thank you x Show notes Who is Dr RosaCurrently living in BathBeing based between England and Peru Working as a Peruvian scientisticNational Geographic Explorer Leading science and conservation efforts in the Amazon Rainforest Having a deep connection to her indigenous roots Her early years living in Peru and relationship with her grandmotherSpending time in the city and the mountainsBeing fascinated by the things she couldn’t understand Loving space and wanted to know everything about the planetHaving a fascination for scienceWanting to dedicate her life to the Amazon Getting her PhD in Chemical Biology from Michigan University Taking a year off to get more work experience and reconsidering her whole lifeBeing able to study traditional Chineses medicine in Beijing in her last year of undergradThe Amazon Boiling RiverTed Talk - Andrés Ruzo Book: The Boiling River (TED) by Andrés Ruzo Discovering new microbes in the riverBoiling mud Book: The Spirit of the Rainforest: How indigenous wisdom and scientific curiosity reconnects us to the natural world What you can expect from the bookLearning expeditions skills later on in lifeLeading her first expeditionChapter 4 - Stingless Bees - the oldest bees on the planet Capacity building Partnerships with different indigenous groupsClimate challengesClimate AnxietyThe importance of indigenous science and making sure that it is documented Being motivated to write the book COP16 in October 2024 in Colombia Dealing with self doubt and why the work is not easyBeing a voice with the international pressCreating space for female indigenous membersBeing a good team memberThe importance of community Current expeditions and plans for heading back to the fieldFunding expeditions Extreme climate explorersBBC - Documenting their work on stingless beesHow to find stingless beesSmelling fish in the jungle….Medicinial Honey?!Comparison to Manuka honey?Her Ayahuasca experienceThe ego death experience Chapter 11 - becoming a black jaguar How to connect with Dr RosaFinal word of advice for women who want to explore more and get into science and explorationFollow the questions that stay in your headYou never know where they may lead. Social Media Website: www.rosavespinoza.com Instagram: @rosavespinoza Facebook: @rosavespinoza9 TikTok: @rosavespinoza YouTube: @rosavespinoza
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