Tell us about yourself
I am Fany Ramos Quispe from the Plurinational State of Bolivia. I am a graduate student in the Ecosystem and Sustainability Science department. My research focuses on the human mobility of Indigenous Peoples in the Upper Mamoré River basin, located in the Llanos de Moxos region of the Bolivian Amazon.

When did you know that you wanted to become a scientist? What do you like most about your research field?
I didn’t initially picture myself becoming a scientist. Instead, what guided me was a persistent curiosity about how societies function, how our environment sustains us, and why certain global challenges remain so difficult to solve. Over time, I found myself drawn to questions that didn’t have simple answers—questions that required not just knowledge, but a willingness to explore new perspectives and connect ideas from different fields.

What I like most about my research area is that it allows me to engage with these complex, real-world problems in a meaningful way. Sustainability science lies at the intersection of environmental, social, and economic dynamics, which means there is always something new to learn and understand. It was this blend of curiosity, continuous learning, and a desire to contribute to positive change that ultimately led me to pursue graduate studies and move closer to science.

How would you explain your research to someone who is not a scientist? Can you summarize it in 5 sentences?
People are deeply connected to the places where they live. Our culture, habits, and way of life grow and change along with our surroundings. Sometimes people choose to move, maybe to find work, study, be closer to family, or seek better opportunities. But today, many people, especially in rural areas, aren’t moving by choice. Rising living costs, more frequent extreme weather events, and expanding cities are pushing people to leave their hometowns.

As more residents move away, the communities they leave behind face new difficulties. With fewer people, it becomes harder to keep local traditions alive, maintain their culture and ways of life, and protect the land they call home. Those who stay often carry a heavier burden, trying to preserve their community with fewer resources and less support. Thus, it is important to better understand the drivers and patterns of such mobility to inform decisions at local scales.

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in your research?
I find it difficult to think of people and communities as “subjects” to be studied, as if they were separate from the research itself. To me, they are not objects of research; they are partners in research. They hold valuable knowledge, experience, and insight, and I believe they should have an active and equitable role in shaping the research that affects them. This is why I’m drawn to co-creation and transdisciplinary approaches. These ways of working encourage researchers and community members to learn from each other, ask questions together, and build solutions that reflect everyone’s perspectives. It’s a more respectful, collaborative, and ultimately more meaningful way to do science.

However, the reality is that most academic systems and research funding structures don’t support this kind of equitable participation. Grants rarely include funds to compensate community members for the time, expertise, and energy they contribute. As a result, researchers are funded, but the people who share their lived experience—which is often the most essential knowledge—are expected to participate for free. This creates an imbalance that makes genuine partnership difficult, even though it’s exactly what many of us want to achieve. I hope that over time, the academic world will change to better value and support community-engaged research, so that everyone involved is respected, compensated, and included as an equal partner.

What are some of the challenges you face as an international scholar/student?
Being an international scholar in the United States has been challenging for me, especially when it comes to finding balance between my personal life and academic responsibilities. The program is very demanding—with coursework, research, and work commitments—leaving little time to explore new places, relax, or meet people outside of school.

As international students, I think we face an extra layer of difficulty when trying to build friendships and a sense of community. We’re adapting to a new culture, navigating unfamiliar systems, and often starting from scratch in terms of social networks. Building meaningful connections takes time and energy, and the heavy workload can make it hard to create that space. Despite these challenges, I’m still learning how to carve out moments for myself and connect with others, but it’s definitely an ongoing process.

Can you describe a city or place in your country that everyone should visit, and what would you recommend doing there?
If you enjoy landscapes and hiking, the Inca Trail to El Choro is an unforgettable experience. This three-day trek begins high in the Andes near the city of La Paz, where you walk among breathtaking glaciers and crisp mountain air. As the trail descends, the scenery transforms dramatically, moving from cold, rugged peaks into the lush, warm environment of the Yungas and the edge of the rainforest. Along the way, you can admire powerful waterfalls, ancient stone pathways, and a remarkable variety of plants and wildlife. Each day of the hike feels like stepping into a new ecosystem, with changing temperatures, colors, and sounds. It’s not only a physical journey but also a chance to appreciate the natural diversity and cultural history of the region.