Dr. Lilian Pintea: Hope Is Unlocking the Potential of Science, Tech, & Tools to Create a Brighter Future for People, Animals, & the Planet

In this episode of the Hopecast, Dr. Jane Goodall is joined by Dr. Lilian Pintea, Vice President of Conservation Science at the Jane Goodall Institute USA. Dr. Pintea has been with JGI for over 17 years and in his current role, he oversees all science activities and functions at JGI, supporting departments and country offices by integrating research, analysis, tools, and technological innovation to support JGI’s mission. In Jane’s words, he’s a “brilliant and innovative scientist with a deep understanding and respect for the people and wildlife he works with.” And, one of her favorite people. In this fireside conversation, Jane and Lilian talk about his journey to becoming a scientist that was shaped by his education from all over the world - from Russia to Romania to the United States to Tanzania. Together, they reminisce on the early days of the Tacare program - JGI’s community-led approach - and reflect on how by sharing technologies like Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) and maps with the communities around chimpanzee habitats, JGI is able to create a common understanding of landscapes, opportunities, and threats. Through these tools, local communities can lead better decision-making for their own lands - for sustainable development and conservation goals alike. Dr. Pintea shares with Jane about the future innovations being developed now that will further the potential of how people and technology can come together to overcome challenges. In one example, the Gombe One Health Hub project partners with Microsoft’s Project Premonition in Gombe to better track and predict zoonotic disease spillover using mosquitoes as vectors. Lilian’s focus on both the technological potentials, tools, and realities of local knowledge advances conservation in innovative ways by “connecting scientists to decision makers.” As Jane always says, “the head and heart need to work in harmony to attain our full potential,” and Dr. Lilian Pintea is proof of that. In 2022, JGI will be partnering with Esri - a leader in geographic information system software, web GIS and geodatabase management applications - to publish a book on Lilian and JGI’s work focusing on this community-led approach called, “Local Voices, Local Choices.”  At the End of the Rainbow: Stay to the end of the episode to hear Jane recount the way in which Tacare - JGI’s community-led conservation approach - created a true partnership and collaboration with local communities who are the leaders of local conservation decision-making improving the lives of people, other animals, and ecosystems across the chimpanzee range.