Dr Luisa Diele-Viegas is a conservation biologist and postdoctoral researcher at Michigan State University, where she advances transdisciplinary approaches to biodiversity science. She leads the BioDivA Lab, a decentralized, collaborative research collective that connects scientists, students, and community partners across institutions and countries. Her work centers on bridging knowledge systems to address complex environmental challenges. By integrating ecophysiology, evolutionary biology, ecological modeling, and social perspectives, she develops research frameworks that move beyond disciplinary silos. A key dimension of her work involves co-producing knowledge with Indigenous and local communities, valuing traditional ecological knowledge alongside scientific tools to build conservation strategies that are both rigorous and socially grounded. Luisa is particularly interested in how global change reshapes ecological interactions and how inclusive, participatory research designs can generate more just and effective conservation outcomes. Her projects emphasize dialogue, reciprocity, and long-term partnerships, fostering spaces where different ways of knowing inform each other. In 2025, she received the Planet Earth Award from the Alliance of World Scientists in recognition of her leadership in advancing inclusive, transdisciplinary environmental research and global scientific collaboration.