The Institute for the Conservation of Tropical Environments

Founded by Dr. Wright, the Institute for the Conservation of Tropical Environments (ICTE) operates a  number of research sites, programs, and activities throughout the tropics, including Center ValBio. ICTE manages the campus' finances; relations with our academic anchor, Stony Brook University; academic programs including study abroads, and undergraduate, graduate, and post graduate research; new technology, programmatic and outreach activities; and our partnerships and relationships.  The office is staffed year round by a small but dedicated team, ensuring CVB runs smoothly.

ICTE Personnel (Alphabetical Listing)

Richard Bankoff, PhD, Biological Data Manager
SBU Office Location: N-213 SBS | richard.bankoff@stonybrook.edu

As Biological Data Manager for ICTE/Centre ValBio and Stony Brook's Department of Anthropology, Richard works to (i) to design and operationalize a central data warehouse for the huge volume of historical data generated by CVB researchers, staff, and students, (ii) to set standards and practices for data generated by ongoing research at CVB, (iii) to engage relevant research communities to develop the analytic and data retrieval tools needed to make use of these data, and (iv) to make data available for sharing with interested parties on campus and beyond. Richard applies his background in anthropology, computational biology, and  fieldwork in Madagascar to concrete problems, and he looks forward to developing a world-class data infrastructure to showcase and share the critical work being done by Stony Brook Anthropology and Centre ValBio's researchers.

Pierce Gardner, MD, Medical Advisor
SBU Office Location: N-221 SBS | pgardner@stonybrookmedicine.edu 

Dr. Gardner is an Infectious Disease Internist  whose career has focused on global health policy, and training the next generation to tackle the health issues in low resource countries. Dr. Gardner has done extensive international work and has been a consultant for the World Health Organization,  CDC, and the Armed Forces Epidemiological Board (now the Defense Health Board)  He was a progenitor for the Clinical Research Scholars/Fellows Program at the Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health which has now trained more than 1,000 US and international professionals. Dr. Gardner has served as Professor of Medicine and Public Health and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs emeritus at the medical school at Stony Brook  University, New York. For nine years Dr. Gardner was the  liaison representative of the American College of Physicians to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and chaired the Guidelines for Adult Immunization for the American College of Physicians. Dr. Gardner has published more than 140 articles, reviews, and books, primarily dealing with immunization issues, education, and global health.  Dr. Gardner graduated from Harvard Medical School and trained in Internal Medicine at the University of Washington and at Case Western Reserve. Dr. Gardner did his fellowship training in Infectious Diseases at the Massachusetts General Hospital. His major academic appointments have been at Harvard Medical School, the University of Chicago, and Stony Brook University where he currently is Senior Consultant  to the ICTE.

Jennifer Levine, Senior Director of Development
SBU Office Location : N-215 | jennifer.levine@stonybrook.edu 

Jennifer is an accomplished professional in the field of nonprofit development with a passion for advancing conservation and philanthropic endeavors. With a diverse background spanning multiple sectors, including at the International Fund for Animal Welfare, the New York Philharmonic, and the Park Avenue Armory, she has carved a unique path that has led her to Stony Brook University's Advancement team, where she focuses her expertise on Centre ValBio and the Turkana Basin Institute, two of Stony Brook's international research institutions. Jennifer's academic background in sociology and anthropology, coupled with her diverse professional experiences, has equipped her with a deep understanding of the intricate dynamics between communities, culture, and conservation, and how to best collaborate with other key stakeholders to help foster impactful change. In her current capacity, Jennifer is thrilled to be supporting the endeavors of Centre ValBio, channeling her enthusiasm and expertise to drive its mission of fostering a greater understanding of conservation's significance both locally in Madagascar and on a global scale.

Patricia Paladines, Program Coordinator
SBU Office Location: N-211 SBS | patricia.paladines@stonybrook.edu

As ICTE’s program coordinator, Patricia brings nearly 30 years of experience working with conservation-oriented nonprofits, including the National Audubon Society and Cornell Cooperative, in administrative and educational capacities. After being away from ICTE for a few years, Patricia has returned to take up her current position because she believes in the institute’s mission. Patricia’s role is to support Dr. Wright, ICTE/CVB staff and students in all office related needs, including schedules, travel, space management, grant writing and editing, outreach, event planning, study abroad and more. Patricia applies her academic background in biology, anthropology, and psychology toward engaging diverse audiences in the appreciation of the natural world. As a native Spanish speaker, she has developed environmental education programs for English Language Learners on Long Island. Building on this experience, after meeting a Deaf child in Madagascar, Patricia developed a nature-based outreach program for a Long Island school for the Deaf. Patricia shares her love of the natural world through photography, writing and volunteering time to local organizations that work toward engaging people with nature. Patricia has also been employed at Stony Brook University as an adjunct instructor teaching biology and writing for conservation courses.

Kristin Perrichon, Finance Coordinator
SBU Office Location: N-207 SBS | kristin.perrichon@stonybrook.edu

With years of accounting experience under her belt, Kristin Perrichon previously worked at Stony Brook Foundation (SBF). Now, as part of the Provost's Office Budget Team, Kristin holds an integral role working closely with the director of the Institute for the Conservation of Tropical Environments (ICTE). At ICTE, Kristin combines her accounting expertise with a vision for environmental sustainability. She crafts sustainable budgets and efficient budgetary systems, ensuring ICTE's mission remains fiscally sound. Outside work, she enjoys metal music, photography, and supports environmental conservation.

 

Patricia Wright PhD, Founder
SBU Office Location: N-203A SBS | patricia.wright@stonybrook.edu
Patricia C. Wright's research in tropical ecology, primatology, and conservation biology includes a long term study (1986 - present) of the behavioral ecology of Propithecus edwardsi, the Milne Edward's sifaka, in Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar. Wright, her students and post docs investigate the demography, feeding behavior, parasite loads, infant development, genetics, tooth wear, reproductive behavior, predation pressure, and aging in this wild community of four adjacent rain forest sifaka groups. Current research includes investigating the growth, tooth eruption patterns, and ontogeny of various lemur species, the nutritional composition of lemur foods, the relationship between lemur foods and medicinal plants, the role of parasites on populations, and the effect of habitat disturbance on lemur populations. Wright′s long term database on individual lemurs, weather patterns, and plant phenology is maintained at SUNY Stony Brook. Wright also conducts biodiversity surveys in tropical forests of Madagascar to address conservation problems. In addition, Wright is spearheading construction of dormitories and computer facilities at the international research station (Centre ValBio) adjacent to Ranomafana National Park. Wright′s recent NSF grant addresses senescence in wild lemurs, particularly mouse lemurs and sifakas.