Project Dragonfly

at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio

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LIFE SCIENCES
UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Project Dragonfly is a transformative education initiative with master’s degree programs in biology, graduate courses, learning media, public exhibits, and community partnerships across the U.S. and globally. With three programs to choose from, students can tailor their learning experience to their overall goals and interests.

JAN 23

From the Bronx to Mongolia: Urban Ecology & The Power of Conservation Education with Dave Johnston

Imagine standing in chest-deep water, pulling a seine net full of marine life, while the traffic of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway roars just behind you. For Dave Johnston, nature isn't something you have to leave the city to find. As the Director of Professional Development for the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) at the Bronx Zoo, Dave is rewriting the narrative on where conservation happens. Whether he is leading students through the gritty, biodiversity-rich wetlands of Jamaica Bay in New York City or driving across the vast Mongolian steppe with no GPS, Dave’s focus remains the same: people. In this episode, we explore why "social science" is the missing link in saving species and why an educator might be the most powerful conservationist in the room. Tune in to hear: The Urban Lab: Why New York City is actually a "city of islands" and a biodiversity hotspot. The Multiplier Effect: The math behind why Dave prioritizes training teachers over teaching children directly. Nomadic Hospitality: The cultural beauty of rolling up to a Mongolian ger (yurt) unannounced and being welcomed inside.

48 min
JAN 9

The Soul of a Place and the Triadic Framework with Jill Korach

Sitting in a cubicle at a high-tech semiconductor firm in Silicon Valley, Jill Korach realized something terrifying: there were 17,000 jobs at her company, and she didn't want a single one of them. That realization launched a global journey—from the strict discipline of Army ROTC to riding horses across the Mongolian steppes. Today, Dr. Jill Korach is a cornerstone of Project Dragonfly, where she uses her unique blend of logistics and empathy to lead Earth Expeditions. In this conversation, Jill dismantles the idea that a leader must be the expert in the room. Instead, she argues for the power of "shared vulnerability"—whether that’s struggling to meditate in a Thai hut or holding hands with a student who is terrified to swim. We also dive into her research on the "Triadic Framework," a new way to look at conservation that goes beyond biology to include our spiritual and emotional connections to the land. Tune in to hear: Why her training in Army ROTC was the perfect preparation for conservation leadership. How to balance "birthing a villager" (having a baby) while completing a PhD and traveling the world. The "Triadic Framework": Why saving a species requires understanding the deities and communities around it.

53 min
12/19/2025

Conservation Perspectives and Leadership with Molly Maloy

Molly Maloy is the Graduate and Adult Programs Manager at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance. She has overseen the AIP since it began at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance in 2012. Molly has worked at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance for 20 years in the fields of Conservation Education and Community Engagement. She also works with the Field Conservation department on Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance’s Botswana program and AZA’s African Vulture SAFE program. Molly recently was invited to be a member of the IUCN Vulture Specialist Group to assist in global conservation efforts for vultures. She has a great affinity for Africa and has lived in Zambia and worked with communities impacted by tourism and human wildlife conflict. Her favorite part of being a part of the AIP is being able to help adults harness their passion and help them create a path for conservation action.

43 min
12/12/2025

Conservation in India's Western Ghats with Archana Godoble

Dr. Archana Godbole is the Founder Director of the Pune-based NGO- Applied Environmental Research Foundation (AERF). https://www.aerfindia.org/ She is also the in-country partner for Project Dragonfly's India Earth Expeditions course. https://miamioh.edu/cas/graduate-studies/project-dragonfly/earth-expeditions/courses-landing-pages/india.html A plant taxonomist and ethnobiologist by training, Archana has developed various programmes of AERF through the work on the ground for the last 28 years. She has been responsible for developing various programmes and initiatives of AERF, from protecting sacred groves and forests to conservation of hornbills and giant trees in the Western Ghats of India and beyond.

32 min
12/05/2025

The Baja Experience with Meghann McDonald

Imagine feeling safer floating in pitch-black water than standing on dry land.For Meghann McDonald, the ocean isn't just a field site; it is a portal. While she technically holds the title of Executive Director at the Vermilion Sea Institute in Baja, she prefers to view herself as a bridge. Whether she is navigating the dusty roads of a fishing village or the complex emotions of a student panic-stricken by a snorkeling mask, Meghann's work is about dissolving the lines between "local" and "tourist," and between "fear" and "awe."In this conversation, Meghann takes us beyond the typical field study experience. She opens up about the "invisible barriers" that keep local children from the water in their own backyards and how she’s working to dismantle them. We also discuss the messy reality of caregiving, the power of "Blue Mind," and why true growth only happens when we are willing to get a little wet and a little uncomfortable.Tune in to hear:The "Scared vs. Awesome" Scale: A brilliant mental tool Meghann uses to help kids (and adults) navigate fear in real-time. The Legend of Puma: How a street dog became the most important emotional support staff member on Baja expeditions.The Mermaid Theory: Why some of us feel more human underwater, and the neuroscience that backs it up.A Special Note: Since the recording of this interview, Meghann's father, Lane McDonald, who we talk about in the episode, has passed away. Lane was a huge inspiration for the work done at VSI. Here is a link to the Institute’s tribute to his legacy (scroll down on page):https://vermilionseainstitute.org/mission-history/https://vermilionseainstitute.org/https://miamioh.edu/cas/graduate-studies/project-dragonfly/earth-expeditions/courses-landing-pages/baja.html

53 min
11/12/2024

Cultivating a Wild Spark for Conservation with T'Noya Thompson

Born and raised in The Bahamas, T'Noya cultivated a profound affinity for the ocean, which inspired her career trajectory from an early age. She has had the opportunity to volunteer and work with many diverse organizations and communities throughout her 25-year career. Currently, T'Noya is a Ph.D. candidate studying organizational leadership at Southeastern University. Additionally, she owns Wild Spark Consulting, a consulting business dedicated to igniting and cultivating leadership in conservation organizations. Furthermore, she is a Coexistence Fellow with the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden and a Vermilion Sea Institute and Ecology Project International board member. She serves on the advisory council for A Rocha USA and Ecochallenge.org. Her academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology and a Master of Arts in Biology from the Global Field Program at Miami University. A few of her favorite things are growing in her faith, spending time with her beautiful family, traveling the world, dancing to good music, and making new friends!

37 min
05/24/2024

NASA Space Exploration and Conservation Education with Barbra Sobhani

Barbra Sobhani is the Director of the NASA Colorado Space Grant Program through University of Colorado Boulder and a Masters graduate from Project Dragonfly’s Adanced Inquiry Program through the Denver Zoo. She is an accomplished individual with dozens of publications and presentations on topics such as lunar network sensing and aerospace workforce development.

33 min
05/17/2024

Native Plants and Backyard Wildlife with Doug Tallamy (Hosted by Aimee Kemp)

Dr. Doug Tallamy is an entomologist, conservationist, and professor in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware. He has written and co-authored over 140 papers and several books, notably Bringing Nature Home, and he is a founder of Homegrown National Park®, a grassroots call-to-action organization working to regenerate biodiversity and ecosystem function by planting native plants. Check out Aimee's website, created for her Biology in the Age of Technology course, (⁠https://sites.google.com/miamioh.edu/pollinatorark/home⁠) and YouTube channel (⁠https://www.youtube.com/@pollinatorARK) (@pollinatorARK⁠).

25 min

Project Dragonfly is a transformative education initiative with master’s degree programs in biology, graduate courses, learning media, public exhibits, and community partnerships across the U.S. and globally. With three programs to choose from, students can tailor their learning experience to their overall goals and interests.

Creator

at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio
Years Active

2K
Episodes

19
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Clean
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© at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio
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Project Dragonfly