Dr. Michelle Bezanson was an influential researcher, educator and primate conservationist.

Michelle was a full professor in the Department of Anthropology at Santa Clara University in California, USA where she earned several top awards for her outstanding teaching and scholarship. Michelle was an advocate for primate conservation education and worked to decolonize perspectives on primatology and improve ethical standards in fieldwork. Her last publication, “News and Perspectives: Words matter in primatology,” (2024) presented an international forum of primatologists who questioned conventional terminology in primatology and conservation research. Michelle’s exceptional research in primatology, biological anthropology and field ethics earned her an induction into the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

Michelle was a gifted artist whose paintings used bold colors and patterned backgrounds to display the magical nature of primates. Her works were well-known in the primate community as they accompanied scientific descriptions of behavioral ecology in scholarly journals and appeared in logos at scientific conferences. Michelle even completed a graphic book review of Rosenberger’s New World monkeys by solely using illustrations. Michelle was an inspirational mentor and educator who would take the time to craft personalized awards for her field students. She also created a series of drawings to accompany the beginning of each chapter of a children’s book about primates. She also graciously donated her artwork for silent auctions at previous meetings of the American Society of Primatologists to help raise funds for primate conservation.

Michelle lost her battle with cancer in 2024, but her perspective on primates will live on through her scholarly contributions and her art. The ASP Conservation Committee hopes to honor her legacy by bringing together artists from around the world to share their work at the “Power of Art in Primate Conservation” symposium. These works will not only showcase artistic talent but will also demonstrate how art has the power to inspire conservation action.