Centre ValBio
Centre ValBio works to protect Madagascar’s unique and biologically diverse ecosystems through conservation science and projects that directly benefit the local people. CVB is an international research station situated on the edge of Madagascar's beautiful and abundant Ranomafana National Park. Under the direction of renowned primatologist Patricia C. Wright, Centre ValBio facilitates hands-on science to sustain the resources and people of Madagascar. In collaboration with the local people, CVB is expanding the frontiers of knowledge while safeguarding biodiversity for future generations. Learn More About Centre ValBio
About Dr. Patricia C. Wright
Dr. Wright is a scientist and a distinguished professor in the Department of Anthropology at Stony Brook University, NY. She has received the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship (Genius Award) and three medals of honor from the Malagasy government. She is the first woman to win the Indianapolis Prize for Animal Conservation (equivalent to the Nobel Prize in Conservation). Dr. Wright is the Founder and Executive Director of Stony Brook University's Institute for the Conservation of Tropical Environments, and is the Founder and Executive Director of the Centre ValBio, a research and training center in Ranomafana, Madagascar. After discovering a new species of lemur in 1986, she helped establish its habitat as a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dr. Wright has published over 200 scientific papers, authored four books and has given hundreds of lectures to museums, universities and societies throughout the US and Europe.
Her research and accomplishments have been featured in the award winning documentary IMAX/Warner Brothers film "Island of Lemurs: Madagascar " narrated by Morgan Freeman.
Research
Whether you are just starting your studies, are a master's or doctoral student, or established in your field, CVB has the facilities and expertise to make your research ambitions a reality. As a full-service research center, you will find that our friendly and experienced staff and excellent facilities are able to accommodate any laboratory- or field-based research needs.
Want to learn more?
Study Abroad
Do you have a passion for tropical biology (including lemurs), conservation, the environment, human health, engineering, or the social sciences? No matter what, we've got you covered. Regardless of your background or existing knowledge, our Study Abroad programs offer a huge range of opportunities. Programs range in length from from three weeks to three months.
Interested?
Internships and Volunteering
From high school graduates interested in valuable real-world experience before college, to working professionals looking to take a career break doing something meaningful, or retirees keen for their next challenge, conservation work welcomes people from all walks of life. We gladly welcome volunteers to join us at CVB in tailored programs.
How do I get involved?
Over 1,000
Publications
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99%
Malagasy staff
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55
PhDs
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Over 300
Master's theses
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Visiting Centre ValBio
“I never thought such advanced facilities could exist in a rainforest. I could not have completed my research anywhere else."
Perched on the edge of a waterfall, overlooking the Ranomafana Rainforest, Centre
ValBio offers unique, direct access to a biological hotspot for research, while housing
on-site laboratory facilities for genetics, disease, ecology, biology, and technology
research.