Maya Moore is pursuing a PhD in Food Systems at the University of Vermont. Having worked for the last 15 years in the international conservation and development field, mainly in Madagascar but also in Thailand and Guatemala, she is excited for the opportunity to return to her New England roots (at least for awhile). She holds degrees in Biology, French and Sustainable International Development, and is predominantly interested in seeking out interdisciplinary answers to the challenges of food security in the face of climate change, as it relates to human well-being and tropical biodiversity. Her broad research questions pertain to the ways in which smallholder farmers in the Global South are experiencing and perceiving climate change, how this is impacting their land management decisions, and how this affects conservation strategy in tropical systems where agricultural pressure is the leading cause of deforestation. Other interests include sustainability, climate justice, community and organizational development, food sovereignty and grassroots movements. She loves to travel, experience different cultures and try the food!