Dr. Caitlin Eschmann brings over 20 years of dedicated experience in primate behavioral ecology, conservation research, science education, animal welfare, and project management to her role as Executive Director at Conservation Allies. Here she leads efforts to support field conservation projects across Madagascar and Latin America, advocating for an integrative approach to environmental conservation that emphasizes grassroot efforts, active community engagement, and holistic conservation tools.

Dr. Eschmann’s passion for conservation is evident in her extensive fieldwork and research experience on Critically Endangered primate species throughout Africa and Asia. Dr. Eschmann holds a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the University of Bristol, UK, where her research focused on the social systems and vocal communication of blue-eyed black lemurs and black lemurs in Madagascar, providing valuable insights into their speciation and conservation initiatives. Similarly,  her M.Sc in Primate Conservation from Oxford Brookes University, UK, concentrated on the impacts of an increasingly urbanized environment on the behaviors of purple-faced leaf monkeys in Sri Lanka.  Dr. Eschmann also contributes her expertise to the IUCN Primate Specialist Group – Madagascar and the American Zoos and Aquariums' Prosimian Taxon Advisory Group.

Beyond her academic and professional achievements, Dr. Eschmann is deeply committed to advancing her field and mentoring the next generation of conservationists.  Through programs like the Lemur Love Writing Fellowship, she continues to support Malagasy students in turning their field data into scientific papers. Prior to her position with Conservation Allies, Dr. Eschmann was a dedicated educator at the New York Hall of Science and Liberty Science Center, inspiring students and guiding them on their own intellectual journeys.