The Future Leaders of Amphibian Conservation Program
Supporting early-career conservationists through funding, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.
About this program
The Future Leaders of Amphibian Conservation Program is our flagship investment in the next generation of amphibian conservationists. We welcome applicants in the early stages of their careers who have a track record of contributing to successful conservation initiatives. The program supports those who wish to conduct or continue work that directly or indirectly impacts the survival of amphibians in the wild.
What we fund
- Conference attendance
- Research projects
- Capacity-building initiatives
- ASA internship position
Eligibility
- Early-career conservationists (within 5 years of highest degree)
- Demonstrated commitment to amphibian conservation
- Clear conservation goals and outcomes
- Adherence to ASA Code of Conduct
- Previous awardees may reapply after 2 years
Ready to apply?
Applications are currently closed. Follow us on social media for announcements about future calls.
Have questions?
We're happy to help you determine if this program is right for your project.
Contact us"You can't save species without investing in people first."
And counting
Meet some of our Future Leaders
Conducting groundbreaking research, building local capacity, and leading conservation action where amphibians need it most.
2026 Grantee · Mexico
Diana Fátima Jacinto Castillo
Diana is a biologist pursuing her Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, with three years of experience working with axolotls (Ambystoma sp.), an endangered group in Mexico. Her research focuses on the immune defenses of axolotls against Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), particularly identifying antimicrobial peptides in their skin secretions with antifungal activity. Her work connects microbiology, immunology, and proteomics to develop innovative treatments and management strategies for amphibian species susceptible to Bd and other pathogens.
2026 Grantee · Brazil
Felipe Floreste
Felipe is a Brazilian biologist and Ph.D. candidate at the University of São Paulo, with research experience as a visiting fellow at the University of New South Wales in Australia. His research explores endocrine and immune biomarkers in anurans and the molecular mechanisms of amphibian immunology to sublethal pathogens, including red-leg syndrome bacteria and parasites. Using Neotropical Rhinella toads as model organisms, his work has established an essential framework for understanding immune response progression in amphibian hosts under environmental stress, selective pressure, and biological invasions, advancing conservation strategies for managing wildlife disease dynamics.
2025 Grantee · Peru
Aarón Quiroz Rodríguez
Aarón is a herpetologist based in Arequipa, Peru, with over 17 years of experience researching amphibians and reptiles across coastal, mountain, and jungle ecosystems. He works with SERNANP and the Natural History Museum of San Agustín National University, and has contributed to IUCN Red List assessments and Peru's national endangered species classifications. His current focus is advancing amphibian research and protection strategies for Peru's threatened species.
2025 Grantee · Bolivia
Gabriel Callapa Escalera
Gabriel is a biologist and co-founder of the Bolivian Amphibian Initiative, dedicated to the research and conservation of threatened amphibians in Bolivia. He has worked on assessments of endangered species including Telmatobius gigas, T. simonsi, and Atelopus tricolor, helping guide conservation action in the field. He currently partners with local communities to strengthen the Titicaca Water Frog Sanctuary, supporting the critically endangered Telmatobius culeus through scientific guidance and grassroots conservation.
2025 Grantee · Argentina
Melisa Rolón
Melisa is a biologist from Argentina currently pursuing a Ph.D. on the ecology and conservation of the critically endangered Patagonia frog (Atelognathus patagonicus). She leads a conservation project for the species that includes habitat restoration, sanctuary creation, and translocation efforts to safeguard it against ongoing threats. Her work focuses on developing science-based conservation strategies to ensure the survival of amphibians and their ecosystems.
2025 Grantee · Colombia
Brandon Brand Buitrago Marulanda
Brandon is a biology undergraduate at the University of Quindío in Colombia and co-director of the university's Herpetology Group, with a focus on poison frog (Dendrobatidae) conservation. His research combines evolutionary distinctiveness and threat status to inform strategic conservation priorities, complemented by fieldwork and species distribution modeling across Colombia. He has trained at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and the University of Texas at Austin, and is preparing manuscripts on amphibian morphology, urban diversity, and malformations.
2025 Grantee · South Africa
Tiaan Botha
Tiaan is a conservation researcher from South Africa currently pursuing a Ph.D. in amphibian conservation and Breviceps taxonomy at North-West University. His research focuses on designing an evidence-based conservation plan for the critically endangered Bilbo's Rain Frog (Breviceps bagginsi) in KwaZulu-Natal. He previously studied the endangered Knysna Leaf-Folding Frog and human dimensions of frog conservation in South Africa.
2025 Grantee · Argentina
Rodrigo Calvo
Rodrigo is an Argentine biologist dedicated to the conservation of Pleurodema somuncurense, a critically endangered amphibian endemic to the hot springs of the Somuncurá Plateau in northern Patagonia. His work combines scientific research with community engagement, believing that conservation must be rooted in local connection and shared values. With ASA support, he is strengthening outreach efforts to raise awareness and inspire collective commitment to protecting Argentina's most vulnerable amphibians.
2025 Grantee · Uganda
Abraham Mugoya Wayirawo
Abraham is a Ugandan conservationist focused on reptile and amphibian conservation, working with the Uganda Wildlife Education Center and Herp Fauna Foundation. His research centers on human-wildlife coexistence and transforming public perceptions of herpetofauna through conservation education. As a member of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, he aims to develop programs that promote coexistence and protect amphibians across Uganda and beyond.
2025 Grantee · Madagascar
Dina Lydie Ramamonjisoa
Dina Lydie is a Malagasy herpetologist and Project Coordinator for Miaro ny Sahona (MISA), a nonprofit linked to the IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group Madagascar. Her work focuses on conservation and research of Malagasy amphibians and their habitats. She aims to make MISA a hub connecting researchers, NGOs, local authorities, and communities working on amphibian conservation in Madagascar.
2025 Grantee · India
Amoghavarsha M
Amoghavarsha is a researcher from India working at the intersection of amphibian ecology, wildlife education, and conservation. He studies lesser-known amphibian species, invasive fauna impacts, and citizen science approaches across southern India while pursuing a dual degree in Biology and Education at Azim Premji University. He regularly conducts amphibian workshops for students, educators, and forest staff to build local capacity and raise awareness.
2024 Grantee · Brazil
Mariana Retuci Pontes
Mariana is a Brazilian scientist completing her Ph.D. in Ecology at the University of Campinas, with research focused on disease risks in endangered Redbelly Toads (Melanophryniscus). She has led pioneering studies on chytrid and Ranavirus pathogens in threatened Brazilian amphibians and coordinates initiatives under the National Action Plan for Conservation of Herpetofauna of Southeast Brazil. She is starting a postdoctoral position developing conservation strategies for the critically endangered Melanophryniscus setiba.
2024 Grantee · India
Harikrishnan S.
Harikrishnan is a wildlife biologist and Project Manager for the Amphibian Recovery Project at the Wildlife Trust of India, leading conservation efforts for threatened species in the Western Ghats. He earned his Ph.D. from the Wildlife Institute of India studying amphibian and reptile assemblages in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where he described three new species. His work spans long-term monitoring, climate change impacts research, and citizen science initiatives including "Mapping the Malabar Tree Toad."
2024 Grantee · Panama
Karina Rodriguez
Karina is a Panamanian biologist working with the Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Her research focuses on Assisted Reproductive Techniques for amphibians, including developing the first hormonal stimulation protocol for obtaining sperm from the Crowned Tree Frog (Triprion spinosus) and creating a genomic sperm bank for the species. She is dedicated to advancing ex situ conservation methods for amphibians in Panama.
2024 Grantee · Kenya
Atubwa Howard
Atubwa is a Kenyan conservationist and Research Fellow at the National Museum of Kenya's Herpetology Section, specializing in amphibian and reptile conservation. He has led critical projects including conservation initiatives for the critically endangered Spawls Caecilian and the Taita Hills Warty Frog (Callulina dawida), while serving as Chairperson of the Kenya Herpetofauna Working Group. His work integrates community engagement, eDNA and acoustic monitoring methods, and educational outreach to build local stewardship for Kenya's herpetofauna.
2024 Grantee · Nepal
Suman Sapkota
Suman is an ecologist and Program Coordinator at Friends of Nature Nepal, where he leads the Stream Frog Conservation Project. His research focuses on the breeding ecology of Nanorana rostandi and understanding hunting pressures on frog populations in the mid-hills region. He is committed to educating students and indigenous communities about amphibian conservation and working with local stakeholders to protect Nepal's cryptic amphibians.
2024 Grantee · Peru
Shirley Jennifer Serrano Rojas
Shirley Jennifer is a Peruvian tropical ecologist pursuing her Ph.D. in ecology and evolution at Stanford University. Her research uses novel telemetry methods to track small poison frogs in the Peruvian rainforest, studying how species adapt their behavior to climate and land use change. She collaborates closely with local NGOs and communities, offering research opportunities to Peruvian students and co-leading citizen science projects on amphibian conservation.
2024 Grantee · Colombia
Consuelo Mileydi Betancourth Cundar
Consuelo Mileydi is a Colombian behavioral ecologist with 13 years of experience studying how environmental changes impact amphibian populations, with a focus on neotropical poison frogs threatened by illegal wildlife trafficking. She leads community science initiatives and conservation programs in tropical forests of southern Colombia, working to establish protected areas and combat the illegal trade in poison frogs. As a member of Colombia's "Women in Science: Agents for Peace" program, she is dedicated to empowering communities and training the next generation in biodiversity conservation.
2023 Grantee · Ghana
Francis Boafo Asamoah
Francis is a Ghanaian ecologist completing his MPhil in Wildlife and Range Management at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, with interests in habitat ecology and urban ecology. He is a conservation scientist and passionate biodiversity communicator who aims to bridge scientific knowledge and public understanding of environmental issues. Through targeted communication campaigns, he works to inspire conservation action and empower the next generation of biodiversity communicators.
2023 Grantee · Ecuador
María del Mar Moretta-Urdiales
María del Mar is an Ecuadorian ecologist and disease ecologist pursuing her Ph.D. in Aquatic Resources and Integrative Biology at Texas State University. Her research focuses on understanding the spread of diseases in amphibians living in the forest canopies of Ecuador, combining tree climbing with epidemiology. She actively collaborates with Ecuadorian universities, NGOs, and local communities, offering research opportunities and mentorship while advocating for protection of the country's remaining forests.
2023 Grantee · Ecuador
Renato Naranjo
Renato is an Ecuadorian biotechnologist working with Centro Jambatu de Investigación y Conservación de Anfibios on the conservation of critically endangered harlequin frogs (Atelopus). He played a key role in establishing the first amphibian reproductive cell repository in Ecuador, advancing Assisted Reproduction Technologies for species recovery. His current work focuses on amphibian population genetics and maintaining genetic diversity through resource collections.
2023 Grantee · Ecuador
María del Carmen Vizcaíno
María del Carmen is an Ecuadorian biologist and educator with ten years of experience in environmental education and conservation. She leads the conservation project for the Jambato Harlequin Toad (Atelopus ignescens) in Cotopaxi and founded Alianza Jambato, bringing together national and international institutions to save this once-thought-extinct species. Her interdisciplinary approach emphasizes close collaboration with local communities as essential to conservation success.
2023 Grantee · Panama
Michelle Quiroz-Espinoza
Michelle is a Panamanian researcher and co-founder of La Fundación Los Naturalistas, dedicated to biodiversity conservation through environmental education and citizen science. Her herpetological work focuses on the habitat preferences and thermal ecology of harlequin toads (Atelopus glyphus and A. limosus) in Darién and the San Blas mountain range. She currently works at UNACHI researching climate change effects on amphibians while engaging local communities in species protection.
2023 Grantee · Argentina
Camila Deutsch
Camila is an Argentine biologist and doctoral student at the University of Buenos Aires, focused on amphibian conservation in agricultural landscapes. She founded the "Giant of the Pampas" project, generating evidence-based conservation actions for the Argentine Horned Frog (Ceratophrys ornata), which is part of COANA (Amphibian Conservation in Argentina). Her work emphasizes community collaboration and addressing the social dimensions of conservation to establish long-term strategies for Argentina's amphibians.
2023 Grantee · Brazil
Michelle Abadie
Michelle is a Brazilian Ph.D. candidate and conservationist who has worked on the Admirable Red-Belly Toad project since 2010, one of Brazil's most successful amphibian conservation programs. Her research focuses on breeding ecology and population dynamics to assess extinction risk, and she was awarded the Young Conservationist Prize by the IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group in 2018. She also works with the Curicaca Institute on habitat protection and promoting sustainable agroforestry as an alternative to monoculture farming near breeding sites.
2019 Grantee · Brazil
Joelma Prado
Joelma is a Brazilian biologist working on amphibian ecology and conservation, with a Master's degree studying chytrid fungus dispersal routes. She is part of the Laboratório de História Natural de Anfíbios Brasileiros, where she teaches courses on chytridiomycosis and coordinates citizen science amphibian surveys in Campinas to raise awareness of native species. Her work combines scientific research on amphibian disease threats with environmental education in public schools.
2019 Grantee · Australia
Kaya Klop-Toker
Kaya is an Australian conservation biologist specializing in population ecology and adaptive management of threatened amphibians. She completed her Ph.D. at the University of Newcastle on disease and invasive species impacts on green and golden bell frogs (Litoria aurea), and has worked on endangered frog projects across New Zealand, Madagascar, Bolivia, and Ecuador. Her current postdoctoral research investigates how longwall mining subsidence affects the vulnerable stream-breeding heath frog (Litoria littlejohni).
2019 Grantee · Bolivia
Teresa Camacho Badani
Teresa is a Bolivian biologist and Chief of the Herpetology Department at the Alcide d'Orbigny Natural History Museum, where she runs the K'ayra Center—Bolivia's only facility dedicated to threatened amphibians. She leads action plans for critically endangered Water Frogs including the Titicaca Water Frog (Telmatobius culeus) and the Sehuencas Water Frog, famously finding a mate for "Romeo," once considered the last of his species. Her work spans ex situ breeding, field conservation, and binational collaboration with colleagues in Peru.
2019 Grantee · South Africa
Kirsty Kyle
Kirsty is a South African conservation biologist who grew up on a nature reserve at Kosi Bay, where she developed her passion for herpetology through fieldwork with Prof. Louis Du Preez. She completed her honours research in Zimbabwe using passive acoustic monitoring to study amphibian diversity, and is now pursuing a Master's on an endangered frog species in the Drakensberg Mountains. Her work combines field research with creating educational resources about the important role frogs play in wetland ecosystems.
2019 Grantee · Brazil
Pedro Peloso
Pedro is a Brazilian zoologist and professor at Universidade Federal do Pará, specializing in the diversity, evolution, and conservation of amphibians and reptiles across South America. His research has led to the discovery of over 20 new species, many threatened with extinction, and he created the Documenting Threatened Species (DoTS) project—a conservation photography initiative studying all amphibians listed as threatened on Brazil's RedList. He uses his talents as a photographer to produce visual stories about biodiversity conservation in Brazil.
2019 Grantee · Peru
Luis Castillo Roque
Luis is a Peruvian zoologist and co-founder of Grupo Rana, an ASA partner organization, where he coordinates conservation programs for endangered water frogs (Telmatobius macrostomus and T. brachydactylus) in Lake Junín. His work combines population monitoring, taxonomy, citizen science, and environmental education with local communities in Peru's high Andes. He is developing protocols for water frog monitoring and aims to establish an ex situ breeding center while maintaining ecologically viable wild populations.
2019 Grantee · USA
Trinity Favazza
Trinity is an American youth conservationist who has served as Mayor of Amphibiville at the Detroit Zoological Society's National Amphibian Conservation Center since 2016. She implements a multi-pronged approach to conservation including social media outreach, her "Amphibian Conservation Rocks" campaign, field research, and citizen science with FrogWatch USA. Her advocacy work has been recognized with numerous awards including the John Muir Environmental Youth Advocacy Award and the President's Environmental Youth Award.
2019 Grantee · Uganda
James Watuwa
James is a Ugandan wildlife veterinarian and founder of the Elgon Wildlife Conservation Organization, dedicated to promoting biodiversity and wildlife conservation through community engagement. He was the first African student to earn a Veterinary-track scholarship under the Wildlife Conservation Network Scholarship Program, completing his Master's degree in wildlife health and management in 2018. His work focuses on the conservation of amphibians and reptiles in Uganda through medical care for endangered animals, ecosystem protection, and changing human attitudes toward herpetofauna.
2019 Grantee · Pakistan
Muhammad Rais
Muhammad is a Pakistani herpetologist working in the Department of Wildlife Management at PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, where he has supervised over 25 graduate students and published more than 40 research articles on Pakistan's amphibians and reptiles. He has established international collaborations with researchers across Australia, India, Sri Lanka, and the Americas, and was awarded Australia's prestigious Endeavor Post-doc scholarship. His current research focuses on amphibian taxonomy, distribution, population monitoring, and the impacts of land use and climate change on Pakistan's herpetofauna.
2017 Grantee · South Africa
Fortunate Mafeta Phaka
Fortunate is a South African conservationist and author of the country's first bilingual frog book, currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences at Hasselt University and North-West University. His work combines wildlife filmmaking, social media, and photography as conservation communication tools, earning him recognition including the National Wetland Indaba's Young Professional Award and a place among Mail and Guardian's Top 200 Young South Africans. His current research investigates the relationship between human cultures and frog diversity, working to compile indigenous names for South Africa's amphibians in nine indigenous languages.
2017 Grantee · India
Sethu Parvathy
Sethu is an Indian wildlife conservation researcher from Kerala with a Master's in Ecology and Environmental Sciences from Pondicherry University. She works with the Conservation Research Group (Kochi) on community-based conservation projects in the Western Ghats, including understanding wild meat utilization by indigenous communities and conserving the endangered Purple Frog (Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis). Her current work focuses on education campaigns with indigenous communities to reduce the use of amphibians in traditional medicine and build local appreciation for frog conservation.
2017 Grantee · Nepal
Biraj Shrestha
Biraj is a Nepalese conservationist who has led amphibian conservation initiatives across Nepal since 2013, earning his Master's in Environmental Science from Khwopa College. He has educated thousands about amphibian conservation through annual Save The Frogs Day events and extensively studied frogs from lowlands to the Himalayan foothills. His research focuses on understanding the anthropogenic impacts on stream-dwelling Paha frogs harvested by local communities, while also conducting phylogenetic studies of high-altitude endemic frogs in Rara National Park.
2017 Grantee · Brazil
Luis Fernando Marin da Fonte
Luis Fernando is a Brazilian biologist completing his Ph.D. on Amazonian amphibian biogeography at Universität Trier, Germany, after earning his Master's from Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. He contributes to some of Brazil's most successful amphibian conservation programs including the Admirable Red-Belly Toad project and the Giant of the Pampas initiative for the Horned Frog. A member of the IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group and ASG Brasil since 2014, he was awarded the ACRS Future Leader of Amphibian Conservation prize in 2017 and collaborates with ASA's Communication Programme.
2015 Grantee · South Africa
Esther Matthew
Esther is a South African conservationist and National Geographic Society Explorer working as Specialist Conservation Officer for the Endangered Wildlife Trust's Drylands Conservation Program. She completed her M.Sc. in Environmental Science in 2015, where she trained a scent detection dog to locate Giant African Bullfrogs (Pyxicephalus adspersus) underground—a project that sparked her interest in conservation canines. Her work focuses on in situ endangered species conservation and research, environmental education with local schools, and coordinating volunteer programs to expose young conservationists to field work in the Karoo.
2015 Grantee · Mexico
José Alfredo Hernández Díaz
José Alfredo is a Mexican conservationist serving as Curator of Reptiles and Amphibians at Africam Safari Zoo since 2012, where he runs a Conservation Program for the critically endangered Large Crested Toad endemic to Mexico. Under his leadership, the program has achieved eight breeding events and released over 1,000 captive-bred toads, increasing wild population counts from 23 to 120 individuals during breeding season. He also leads conservation efforts for Taylor's Salamander through ZSL's Edge of Existence Program, earning the "For the Love of Mexico Award" from Volkswagen for his habitat protection work.
"Behind every breakthrough is someone who got their start somewhere. This is where the next generation begins."
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