Concordia PhD student receives the $100K Miriam Aaron Roland Graduate Fellowship

Born in Calgary, Alberta, Mikaela Gerwing first studied in California, Chicago, British Columbia and New York before coming to Concordia’s Faculty of Arts and Science to do her PhD in the department of Geography, Planning and Environment. A theater artist turned scientist, Gerwing discovered her passion in reintroduction of wildlife during her working and volunteering stints in Cameroon, Thailand, Peru and South Africa, where she led reintroduction programs. Struck by the intelligence and complex social structures of the capuchin monkeys, she decided to bridge the gap between her artistic past, her experience in the not-for-profit world and her newfound love for animal behavior, so she could one day fulfill her dream of opening and running a wildlife rescue center.

"Receiving the prestigious Miriam Aaron Roland Graduate Fellowship is more than an honor,” explains Gerwing. “It's a profound validation of the journey I've undertaken. From the stage to the laboratory, this recognition signifies a full-circle transformation, underlining the significance of the work we're doing.”

“I am truly grateful for the acknowledgment and excited about the opportunities it brings to further contribute to the realm of science."

Over the past months, she embarked on a unique journey to study the capuchin monkeys in the heart of a small village of less than 100 people in Brazil. Alongside her supervisor and research partner Sarah Turner, she monitored and studied the world of capuchin monkeys, building a team with local professionals and local community members. This immersive experience provided insights into the capuchins' lives, their interactions with the environment, and the challenges they faced.

Beyond Observation: A Holistic Approach to Conservation

Gerwing emphasizes the need for an interdisciplinary approach in her work, bridging the natural and social sciences. Her research transitioned from monitoring capuchins to studying the ethical integrity of wildlife rescue centers. Reflecting on her diverse experiences across three continents, she recognized the lack of a standardized approach to welfare and conservation in such centers globally.

“One of the things that often falls to the side in rescue centers is the human welfare,” she explains. “I was very lucky to work in teams where everyone was valued and treated equally; but that is not the case at every rescue center. There is a lot of white saviorism, racism and unethical practices in this field, especially from western countries comers. Conservation of nature and the well-being of all its inhabitants should always go hand in hand. We’re all interconnected.”

Determined to address this gap, Gerwing has now undertaken the creation of a comprehensive system that would allow us to evaluate the effectiveness and ethical practices of wildlife rescue centers.