Advancing Global Biodiversity Research: A Story of Collaboration and Discovery

Sept. 25, 2024

By Stephanie Godward, Communications and Marketing Director, College of Arts & Sciences

At the intersection of local and global scientific efforts, international students and researchers exemplify the College of Arts & Sciences’ commitment to impactful research and education here and beyond.

Devya Hemraj-Naraine is both a faculty member at the University of Guyana and a PhD student in UofL’s Biology Department. Hemraj-Naraine's relationship with UofL began in 2015 when she met Dr. Matthew Kolmann, then a PhD candidate and now an Assistant Professor of Biology at UofL. As an undergraduate research assistant under Dr. Kolmann, Hemraj-Naraine's interest in ichthyology, a branch of zoology devoted to the study of fish, deepened. After completing her Master of Science in Guyana, Hemraj-Naraine joined UofL's PhD program in 2022 with a university fellowship, working under Dr. Kolmann's supervision.

Hemraj-Naraine's passion for biology was sparked in her childhood, growing up in the countryside of Guyana. Surrounded by diverse wildlife, her curiosity about the differences among species led her to pursue a career in research.

"My curiosity kept growing, and one way to answer my questions was through research and documenting biodiversity globally," she explains.

Focusing on Guyana's rich biodiversity, Hemraj-Naraine has made groundbreaking discoveries in the country's pristine rivers.

One of her recent expeditions to Guyana's eastern border, in collaboration with Dr. Kolmann, marked the first scientific documentation of the Canje River's biodiversity. Hemraj-Naraine describes the landscape's transition from gallery forests to savannas and the corresponding changes in fish diversity. Some species discovered were cryptic and potentially new to science, necessitating further genetic sequencing to confirm their novelty.

Hemraj-Naraine's role as the de facto curator of Guyana's only Natural History Museum collection has significantly influenced her research. The biodiversity center, the largest repository of specimens in Guyana, facilitates her work with international researchers and supports her educational journey.

"Being the curator has exposed me to a wealth of specimens and databases that are crucial for my research and collaboration with international scientists" she says.

Despite facing logistical challenges while planning fieldwork remotely from Louisville, Hemraj-Naraine successfully coordinated her research with the help of family and friends in Guyana. A second expedition is planned for October 2024 to complete her data collection.

Mentoring undergraduate students like Chrislene Persaud is a crucial aspect of Hemraj-Naraine's work. Persaud, a zoology student at the University of Guyana, met Hemraj-Naraine during a fish-focused course. The hands-on research experience and field trips enriched Persaud's understanding of biodiversity and potential career paths in biology.

"From this research project, I've learned so much, especially about the biodiversity in the Canje River," says Persaud.

Hemraj-Naraine emphasizes the importance of curiosity and exploration for prospective students.

"Take up volunteering opportunities to decide if this field is for you. Stay curious, as that's how you answer biological questions," she advises.

Dr. Kolmann states: “Her dedication to her education and our collective knowledge of biodiversity elevates everyone in our lab and our academic community. She's an absolute blast to work with in the field and she's taken some truly integrative steps to make her dissertation research a next-level endeavor in ecology.”

Kolmann notes that while over 2 million species have been identified, named, and studied on Earth, this number likely represents only about one fifth (or even less) of all possible species found on our planet.

“Many unrecognized species are found in oceans or rivers, and Devya is doing her part to catalog new species in one of the most biodiverse places in the world, the Guiana Shield. Devya's research goes beyond describing new species in Guyana, her home country, and seeks to understand how these species fit into their habitats. In other words, Devya is naming species and figuring out what their roles in their respective environments are. There are more species of fishes than any other group of animals with backbones (mammals, birds, etc.), and Devya is uncovering why fishes have been so successful. Her research is critical given that many species will go extinct from human activities before we ever know who these species are."

Kolmann also states the Guiana Shield region, and its tabletop mountains (tepuis), were the inspiration for Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Lost World” and Pixar’s “Up” film.

Through collaborative efforts and a focus on hands-on research, UofL and its partners are making significant strides in biodiversity documentation and conservation.

This story of discovery and mentorship highlights the university's impact on both a local and global level, fostering a new generation of scientists dedicated to understanding and preserving our natural world.