Willandia Chaves is an Assistant Professor of Human Dimensions in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation. She is also Affiliated Faculty with the Global Change Center and the Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens. Her research includes urbanization and natural resource use, fish and wildlife trade, conservation behaviors, and diversity, equity, and inclusion in outdoor recreation. Willandia was born and grew up in a small town in the Brazilian Amazon, which has helped shape her career and passion for conservation. She received her Master of Science and PhD degrees in Interdisciplinary Ecology from the University of Florida. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biological Science Education from the Federal University of Acre, Brazil.