Explorer.Researcher.Educator.
About
Rebecca is a National Geographic Explorer who works in Peru and Canada on projects related to health, food, and the environmental.
Rebecca has over 6 years of research and project management experience in health and climate change adaption in Peru and Canada. She has studied human-centered and empathetic design, and collaborated with Indigenous doctors and leaders on work to improve health advocacy in Canada.
Rebecca has received both a Young Explorer and Early Career grant from the National Geographic Society. Her previous work looked at how perceptions of health and well-being relate to spiritual beliefs in the Amazon, and what this means for the design of health interventions that are inclusive of all belief systems.
Rebecca's most recent project investigated food and culture, through community-led photography, in the Peruvian Andes. This work was done alongside with Mater Iniciativia and Mil restaurant in the high Andes.
Photo Credit: Jen Shook Rochefort
research AND EXPLORATION
PROJECTS IN PERU
When michelin stars meet indigenous agriculture: nATIONAL gEOGRAPHIC AND mater INICIATIVA
Understanding the Meaning of Food and Work in Peru. Langscape Magazine, February 2019
Peruvian Palate by Alec Jacobson, National Geographic Travel Magazine, April Issue 2019
National Geographic Unique Lodges: Exploring the Amazon and Andes with Inkaterra
Various presentations and media engagement - instagram, FB live, with Inkaterra and National Geographic
Journalism: Environmental Disasters; Human Consequences. Coverage of 2016 Peru Oil Spills.
Featured in 2018 Colombia oil spill coverage by National Geographic, March 2018
Investigative piece for Mongabay.com, co-authored with Kevin Floerke, July 2016
Commentary for Global Health Now, co-authored with Kevin Floerke, July 2016
Featured writer on National Geographic Explorer Voices Blog, April and September 2016
“It’s spirit is strong:” Shawi spirits, healers and diarrhea in the Peruvian Amazon.
Understanding Shawi belief systems around water and waterborne illness.
Funded by National Geographic Young Explorer Grant 2014-2015, and the Explorers Club.
Research Poster - Awarded 'Best Contribution to Global Health' Prize
DESIGN
Learn more about design and systems change work in Indigenous health and education with the University of Toronto Medical School.
EDUCATOR
While undertaking projects in Peru and Canada, Rebecca acts as an educator on international gap year semester and summer leadership programs for high school and college students.
Programs led:
New York Times Student Journey: Public Health and Development - Sacred Valley, Peru, 2018
Outward Bound Canada -Urban Instructor, Toronto, Ontario
Tim Horton Children's Foundation - Program Facilitator, Canadian Rockies, Tim Horton Children's Ranch
Carpe Diem Education - Peru and Ecuador, South America Semester, Fall 2016
Amigos de las Americas - Barranquilla, Colombia 'Global Health & Social Transformation', 2016; Cotopaxi, Ecuador 'Youth Entreprenureship', 2014
National Geographic Student Expeditions - Peru Community Service, 2015
WORKS IN PROGRESS
cURRENT PROJECTS
“When Michelin Stars meet Indigenous Agriculture” is a new National Geographic Funded project, that looks at the realtionships between food and culture in an Andean community as compared to one of Peru’s top restaurants. This project is currently in progress! Stayed tuned for publications, articles and media coming in Spring 2019.
adventures and exploration
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