Natasha Zaletel Kamruddin

Natasha Zaletel Kamruddin is currently in the Masters of Conservation Biology program (class of ‘22) at The University of Queensland. She recently graduated from New York University (2020) with a Bachelor in Environmental Studies and a minor in Animal Studies. Throughout her time at NYU, she completed academic study projects on various topics including anthropogenic threats to endemic endangered mammals in Sumatra, climate change impacts on food security in India and Pakistan, and the history of PFASs. She also worked under Professor James Higham to compile literary data on the presence of behavioural lip-smacking in all genus and species of primates. While studying she interned with New York City Council, designed and led workshops on urban lead contamination for high school students, and worked in Conservation Education with the Wildlife Conservation Society at the Bronx Zoo. 

Natasha was born in Puerto Rico and is now located in New York City, where she studies remotely. Her academic interests include endemic endangered species, food insecurity, environmental ethics, and overfishing/effects of bycatch. She is particularly drawn to island and rainforest ecosystems. She hopes to pursue a PhD in one of these interests upon completing her Masters and gaining relevant field and research experience.