Team Bio

Our team is dedicated to wildlife health and conservation, with a strong focus on understanding zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance in Madagascar's unique fauna. We investigate the health of lemurs, tortoises, and carnivores, examining the transmission of pathogens at the human-wildlife interface. Through advanced molecular techniques, we aim to provide insights that inform conservation and public health strategies, ensuring the well-being of both wildlife and local communities.

Santatra Randrianarisoa

I am a wildlife veterinarian passionate about One Health, zoonotic infectious diseases, and antimicrobial resistance, particularly in lemurs, tortoises, and carnivores in Madagascar. I earned my veterinary degree from the University of Antananarivo in 2022 and have since dedicated my career to studying wildlife health and its intersection with human and environmental health.

Currently, I serve as a veterinarian and Lab Manager at Mahaliana Labs, a research and training center in Madagascar. In this role, I lead projects investigating zoonotic pathogens such as Leptospira in both wild and peridomestic animals at the human-wildlife interface. My research applies advanced molecular techniques, including DNA extraction and PCR analysis, to better understand disease transmission dynamics and inform conservation and public health strategies.

Beyond research, I am also a lecturer on animal infectious diseases and zoonoses at Madagascar’s veterinary school. This position allows me to share my expertise with aspiring veterinarians and emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in wildlife conservation and disease ecology.

My experiences in wildlife disease research and laboratory diagnostics have strengthened my commitment to pursuing a PhD focused on One Health, zoonotic pathogen transmission, and microbiome dynamics in Madagascar’s unique wildlife. I aim to contribute to global efforts in wildlife disease surveillance and antimicrobial resistance mitigation, ensuring better health outcomes for both animals and human communities.

If you would like to learn more about my work, please visit my website at https://santatra.owlstown.net/ and follow me on Twitter @SantatraRandri2.

Mitia Andrianantenaina

I am a final-year veterinary student at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Antananarivo, interested about wildlife health and biodiversity conservation in Madagascar.

Currently, I am an intern at Turtle Survival Alliance, where we provide veterinary care for confiscated tortoises, support conservation and reintroduction programs, and collaborate on research while ensuring compliance with medical and regulatory standards.

At the same time, I lead Environmental and Outreach by Key Youth known as "EOKY", raising public awareness about Madagascar’s biodiversity conservation. EOKY was created to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and public engagement, making conservation accessible and interactive for all. Through education and community involvement, we aim to inspire action to protect Madagascar’s unique wildlife.

I am also working on my thesis to obtain my DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) degree, titled Health Assessment of Confiscated Radiated Tortoises for Their Reintroduction into the Wild, as part of my internship with Turtle Survival Alliance.

Tsanta Fiderana Rakotonanahary

I am a passionate Wildlife Veterinarian from Madagascar. I am currently the Head of Veterinary Department at Turtle Survival Alliance. We are working to save all criticality endangered terrestrial tortoises of Madagascar such as the Ploughshares tortoises, Radiated tortoises, Spider tortoises and Flat-tailed tortoises. My job is to ensure a highest standard care of the confiscated Malagasy tortoises at TSA facilities and doing the health assessment of these tortoises prior reintroduction

Olivier Rasolofoniaina

I am a wildlife veterinarian at Mahaliana Labs a research and training center in Madagascar, my work is dedicated to understanding disease ecology and promoting wildlife health. I focus on the intricate connections between wildlife, domestic animals, and human populations, with the goal of advancing both conservation and public health efforts.

My role involves screening for zoonotic diseases by collecting and analyzing samples from wild animals, domestic animals, and rodents. This includes fieldwork to capture and examine animals, meticulous sample processing, and the application of advanced molecular techniques such as PCR analysis. Driven by a strong commitment to One Health principles, I aim to deepen our understanding of disease transmission dynamics and support evidence-based strategies for biodiversity conservation and public health protection.