Allison Pease, assistant professor in the School of Natural Resources at Mizzou’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to support an ambitious six-month research project in Paraguay focused on conserving the country’s diverse river fish populations.
Pease, a river fish ecologist with extensive experience in tropical freshwater systems, will work alongside researchers at the Paraguayan National Museum of Natural History to study fish species critical to regional river fisheries. Her project aims to assess how environmental conditions and ongoing ecological changes — such as deforestation, increased drought, and fire and land conversion for agriculture — are affecting freshwater fish communities.
“Paraguay is a country rich in freshwater biodiversity, yet very little research has been done on the fish populations that are essential to both the ecosystem and local food security,” Pease said. “This Fulbright will allow us to better understand which fish species are most important to communities and how environmental changes may be impacting them.”
The project is focused in part on the Chaco region in western Paraguay, where environmental changes are accelerating due to increased cattle grazing and potential soybean development. Pease plans to investigate how these changes affect fish in river systems that are often underrepresented in tropical research.
“River fisheries provide vital food and protein sources for local communities,” she said. “Unlike marine fisheries that often feed global markets, these fish are feeding families directly, yet their conservation status is largely unknown.”
The Fulbright award not only supports her research but also fosters cultural exchange. Pease will be accompanied by her husband and two young children during her stay, aligning with the Fulbright program’s emphasis on global connection and shared understanding.
“This experience will shape not just my research, but also my teaching and future collaborations,” said Pease, who hopes to develop a long-term partnership in Paraguay and involve Mizzou students in future fieldwork. “It’s a chance to deepen our global perspective on conservation science.”
Pease’s work contributes to CAFNR’s growing international research presence and reinforces the college’s mission to address pressing global challenges through science, sustainability and community impact.