Travis Steffens

Dr. Travis Steffens is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Guelph. His research focuses on conservation biogeography, spatial ecology, and One Health approaches to understand lemur-human interactions in Madagascar. He actively supervises graduate students in Public Anthropology, Geography, and Pathobiology programs.

Education: PhD in Evolutionary Anthropology from the University of Toronto (2017).

Research Interests: Conservation of lemurs, human-wildlife conflict resolution, zoonotic disease dynamics between lemurs and humans, and applying One Health frameworks to ecological challenges. His work emphasizes transdisciplinary solutions for sustainable coexistence between communities and endangered species.

Key Contributions: Published over 30 peer-reviewed articles on lemur ecology, deforestation impacts, and zoonosis. Leads the LEMR lab, supported by CFI-JELF funding, and collaborates internationally through Planet Madagascar, an NGO addressing forest conservation in Madagascar.

• Awards: Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society, IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group member, and Explorers Club Fellow.
• Lab & Teams: Directs the LEMURS, ENVIRONMENT, & MALAGASY RESEARCH (LEMR) lab, focusing on spatial ecology and community-based conservation.
• Grants: CFI-JELF-funded research program investigating human-lemur environmental interactions.