Grace J. Gobbo, 2007 Women of Discovery Field Award

""For every problem there is a solution, if only we know where to look."" — Grace J. Gobbo

Botanist

Born: 1974-01-01

Hometown: Tabora, Tanzania

Education: Certificate of Botany

Achievements

Discoveries: Plants, newly found, that have not been known to science; and plants that may help in fighting AIDS

Expeditions: Botanical and Lemur projects in Madagascar; Botanical surveys in East Africa; Chimp survey in Mahale Mountains, Tanzania

Biography

Working with the Greater Gombe Ecosystem Project of The Jane Goodall Institute, ethnobotanist Grace Gobbo studies traditional medicine practices in Tanzania. She gathers invaluable information from traditional healers about their use of medicinal plants – helping to inform government, communities and others on her botanical findings for future planning purposes. Prior to her current post with the Ecosystem Project, Gobbo studied plant species, collected ethno-botanical data, and gathered phenology for primate food in Gombe National Park.

Fun Facts

Favorite Item to have in the field: Camera, notebook, pencil

Heroes: Dr. Jane Goodall, foremost authority on chimpanzees