Kimpara-san's research interest is how primates live in the wild. He would like to understand how they live (e.g. which individuals and how they communicate with each other) as much as possible through steady observation. For his PhD, he will study macaque hybridization in Borneo (between long-tailed macaques and southern pig-tailed macaques). In his master's course, he studied vocalization and group cohesion in Japanese macaques on Yakushima Island. 

Check out his website  (in Japanese) here: https://sites.google.com/view/rentaro-web.

Brenda's primatological work focuses on the social interactions of lutungs (Trachypithecus spp.), also known as langurs or leaf-eating monkeys. These elusive primates are known for giving birth to strikingly bright orange infants and showing high levels of allomothering (i.e., they care for each other’s young). For her PhD, Brenda studies the interactions with and around these infants, and what this tells us about their underlying emotions, cognition, and social norms.

Alongside her empirical research, she also engages with epistemology, animal ethics, and the "animal turn" in the humanities and social sciences. She challenges anthropocentric assumptions that dominate traditional frameworks, and argues for radically acknowledging animals’ perspectives and interests in academic practice and theory, conservation, and society at large.

Brenda is also an illustrator and visual artist, and co-organizes the Dutch Animal Philosophy Study Group.

🌐 www.brendadegroot.com

For his Master’s research, Fitri is assessing the current population status of the endangered proboscis monkeys in the Lower Kinabatangan region of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. In addition, he is investigating the long-term population trends of coexisting primate species in Sabah—including proboscis monkeys, long-tailed macaques, and pig-tailed macaques—and projecting their future trajectories. This research is vital for deepening our understanding of endangered primate populations in Borneo and supporting more effective conservation strategies.

Casey's current research focuses on the ecology of critically endangered Bornean orangutans in the Kinabatangan floodplain. She is investigating the relationships between gut microbiome composition, parasite transmission, and kinship dynamics, and how they are influenced by human habitat disturbance—particularly land use conversion and habitat fragmentation. By integrating ecological and molecular data, she aims to better understand how anthropogenic pressures impact orangutan health, social structure, and long-term survival. Casey is passionate about wildlife conservation and environmental education, and strives to bridge scientific research with impactful outreach. When she's not in the lab or the field, she's chasing adventure—exploring nature, cultures, and new perspectives.

Amos is an aspiring primatologist and conservationist! His research focuses on the behavioral ecology and genetic diversity of an endangered subspecies of long-tailed macaque endemic to the Con Dao archipelago, Vietnam--Con Song long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularsis condorensis). It is a threatened population, with 0 baseline data on it's basic ecology, behavior, population, or genetics. Hence, his research is important for gathering and establishing basic information on an understudied population. Through his work, he hopes the data can help to develop effective conservation measures, advance scientific knowledge and raise awareness about this subspecies. Outside of his research, he seeks fun and adventure through wildlife-watching, travelling, photography and dance!

Driven by a lifelong interest in wildlife, Honoka is currently conducting research on the social structure and kinship of Bornean elephants (Elephas maximus borneensis). Due to ongoing deforestation and land-use conversion, the species faces significant habitat fragmentation and population decline. To better understand how these pressures affect elephant society—particularly the unique male affiliative behavior observed in Bornean elephants—she combines field-based behavioral observations with genetic analyses using non-invasive fecal DNA sampling. Honoka's goal is to contribute to evidence-based conservation strategies that promote coexistence between humans and wildlife. She collaborates closely with local research institutions and authorities in Sabah, Malaysia, aiming to bridge scientific research and practical conservation.

Alexander completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. He has previously completed research on the use of nest boxes for bird conservation, the marbled cat of Southeast Asia, and the behavioural diversity of captive mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx). Alexander plans to conduct his masters research on the feeding ecology of eastern black and white colobus monkeys (Colobus guereza) in the Kalinzu Forest of Uganda, with a particular focus on their consumption of bark and soil.