Navashni Naidoo (she, her), is a graduate student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  She earned her Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Master of Science (MSc) degrees at the University of Cape Town (UCT), focusing on archaeology, environmental science and geography. Her current research centers on animal migration in South Africa, where she employs isotopic techniques to investigate ancient climates and ecosystems, shedding light on the intricate relationships between early human populations and their environments.

With over a decade of field experience at both cave and open-air sites in East and southern Africa, Navashni has developed a deep understanding of the geological and archaeological landscape of her research areas. Her work aims to bridge the gap between ancient human behavior and contemporary environmental challenges, contributing valuable insights to discussions on climate resilience and sustainability. Committed to fostering diversity in the scientific community, she actively mentors’ undergraduate students and engages in outreach programs, inspiring the next generation of scientists.