'Genius' Grant Goes To Marine Scientist Who Embraces Flash Mobs And Comic Books
Stacy Jupiter works with the people of Fiji to protect the oceans. Two of her most important life lessons came from the Peace Corps: 1) listen and 2) nothing ever goes according to plan.
Stacy Jupiter realized how dangerous flooding was becoming in her adopted home of Fiji in 2009 when she flew back after a vacation and landed on an island in crisis. "Water was up to the roofs of the houses, and roads were cut off," says the marine scientist, who directs the Wildlife Conservation Society's Melanesia Program. Her research soon revealed that this uptick in floods — paired with human land mismanagement — was spreading waterborne diseases.
Jupiter's reaction: "Wouldn't people get off their bums and do something if they thought they'd get typhoid?" So she began collecting evidence and spreading the word, two tactics
