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Anthropologist and conservation biologist Dr. Cortni Borgerson leverages humanity to safeguard the world's most threatened primates.

Spending nearly two decades navigating the remote forests and bustling communities of Madagascar, Dr. Borgerson immerses herself in both the habitats of critically endangered lemurs and the daily lives of the people who share their ecosystem. Fluent in Malagasy, she builds deep trust to illuminate the complex forces driving illegal hunting. As the author of nearly 100 scientific publications, she traces this crisis from rural child malnutrition to hidden urban luxury markets and the deeply rooted cultural ties that connect people to the natural world.

Dr. Borgerson champions the principle that wildlife and families are inextricably linked. Recognizing that eating is our most intimate yet impactful connection with nature, she embraces both rigorous science and deep local knowledge. By co-designing sustainable initiatives like native insect farming and traditional wild seed oil production, her work centers existing cultural practices as the driving force behind powerful nutritional and economic solutions. These interventions simultaneously combat malnutrition and protect biodiversity while respecting the human connection with nature. Ultimately, this approach has fueled a four-fold increase in lemur densities at her sites and directly informs national policy reform.

Rooted in twenty years of dedicated fieldwork in Madagascar, Dr. Borgerson has expanded her incentive-driven models across 17 protected areas as the Director of the Full Forests lab. She helps shape global conservation strategy as a National Geographic Explorer and IUCN Primate Specialist Group commission member. Her high-impact work has earned her recognition as a "Hero" on BBC's Planet Earth, alongside frequent features in National Geographic, The New York Times, and NPR.

At Montclair State University, Dr. Borgerson is dedicated to translating frontline research into high-impact learning. She teaches a variety of project-based courses, including Introduction to Physical Anthropology (ANTH101), Human Culture for Biodiversity Conservation (ANTH165), and hands-on Primate Behavior, Ecology, and Research Methods courses (ANTH402/502 & ANTH403/503) taught directly at the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo.

Specialization

Madagascar, Biological Anthropology, Endangered Species Hunting, Lemur Conservation, Primatology, Planetary Health, Community Livelihoods and Conservation.

Research Projects