New Changing Face of Science exhibition features conservation ecologist, uncovers the mysteries of freshwater ecosystems and the need for urgent action
Photographer(s): Zachary James Johnston
The sixth and final installment of The Changing Face of Science opens May 9 and features Senior Conservation Ecologist Lesley de Souza, PhD. The Changing Face of Science is a series that highlights women and/or scientists of color who are breaking barriers in their field to challenge the traditional idea of who can be a scientist. The newest exhibition highlights de Souza’s life and work as a child of Brazilian immigrants, a mother, ichthyologist, and conservation biologist. This exhibition follows Lesley de Souza’s career from being the only woman on an expedition to leading the largest multidisciplinary scientific expedition to Guyana’s rainforest in 2024. Visitors can journey to the Amazon rainforest with de Souza in a multi-sensory display: atmospheric sound, a diverse array of fish specimens, videos, and more to explore her work.
“There is a central piece of a big canoe with a video projection from her recent expedition accompanied by atmospheric sound, netting, and a paddle,” says exhibition developer Anastasia DeMaio. “It gives that feeling that you are on the river; you are with Lesley.”
“The first time I lifted a seine net in the Amazon, I was mesmerized by what is in rivers just below the surface,” says Lesley de Souza. “The Amazon is the most diverse river in the world with new species being discovered daily.In the exhibition, you’ll see some of the diversity represented through specimens and images from the field.”
Visitors can also learn more about how her life experiences and family influenced her career, from fishing with her father in Brazil to watching her son learn to swim in the Amazon. De Souza’s story highlights how she balances a successful career with motherhood, fieldwork, scientific research, and working to protect the future of the planet.
The exhibition also showcases her passion for scientific research and its role in driving conservation action. As a part of the Field Museum’s Field Museum’s Keller Science Action Center, her work has direct application for the protection of species, habitat and livelihoods of people she works with. The Keller Science Action Center’s rapid inventory program has led to 19 new conservation areas in the Amazon River basin (more than 29 million acres conserved!) These are quick cooperative and rigorous surveys of the biological and cultural assets of an area.
“I want people to know about the conservation work that the Field Museum is doing,” says de Souza. “I think people don’t realize that the Field Museum is on the ground in the Andes Amazon and Chicagoland area working with communities, organizations and governments to drive conservation impact.” This year, we are leading an effort to protect some of the largest tracts of intact forests on the globe.”
The exhibition also touches on de Souza’s passion for mentorship, inspiring other women in science, and science communication. “It’s important that we don’t speak about conservation work in silos and that we strive for reaching a broader audience to bring awareness of the urgency of the biodiversity and climate crisis we all face.” de Souza says. “
The Changing Face of Science is included in basic admission.
Launched in 2022 by spotlighting the late Lynika Strozier, a young Black scientist who died from COVID in 2020, The Changing Face of Science was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services grant award #MA-249085-OMS-21.
Please email press@fieldmuseum.org for interview requests, more information, or access to images.