On The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #35 Dr. Valdez and I talk about her birding story, and especially about her research in the Peruvian Amazon.  Her project in the Madre de Díos (Mother of God) mountains in southeastern Peru is documenting the amazing biodiversity there, working with local youth to provide paying jobs, increase environmental awareness and provide valuable data on the bird and other species diversity there.  A correction to the introduction, CECCOT is in the Tambopata region, not the city of Tambopata. It is near the city of Puerto Maldonado. Volunteer opportunities are available, and you can check them out at the Facebook page of @CECCOT (Centre de Educacíon, Ciencia y Conservacíon Tambopata)  Their website is also very informative.  
My blog post at http://birdbanter.com/index.php/2019/10/14/dr-ursula-valdez-and-the-bird-banter-podcast-episode-35/ has lots more detail and links to issues like illegal gold mining and her falcon research. 
Enjoy.  Good birging.  Good day.