Abby’s journey from field scientist to conservation storyteller began during a high-school biology trip she chaperoned to the Galápagos. Captivated by how a single experience could inspire young minds, she decided to weave science, education, and public engagement into every stage of her career. She later earned a B.A. in Anthropology (University of Wisconsin–Madison), an M.A. in Biological Anthropology (Northern Illinois University), and a Ph.D. in Evolutionary Anthropology (University of Toronto). Her research has taken her to Bolivia, Costa Rica, Equatorial Guinea, South Africa, and—most formatively—Madagascar, where she still conducts collaborative work as a Courtesy Research Associate Scientist at the University of Florida- Gainesville.

Founding The Dr. Abigail Ross Foundation for Applied Conservation (TDARFAC) in 2023 allowed Abby to turn “sentiment into action” by connecting Malagasy scientists and rural communities with resources that translates research to work on the ground. She directs collaborative outreach for the Mad Dog Initiative and serves on Planet Madagascar’s board.

At the LFP, she mentors Malagasy graduate and veterinary students, curates the project’s growing media archive, and oversees web content. A lifelong believer in the power of small actions to change trajectories, she also heads LFP’s merchandise and grassroots-fundraising efforts, including a five-year capital campaign to build Madagascar’s first dedicated lemur triage center. Outside the field and lab, Abby is a principal and sits on the operational board of, J.L. Woode Ltd.