Introduction to Rosa Vásquez Espinoza

Rosa Vásquez Espinoza is a Peruvian Ph.D. scientist with Amazonian-Andean Indigenous roots, conservationist, and National Geographic Explorer whose work bridges cutting-edge science with ancestral knowledge.

Founder of Amazon Research Internacional (ARI), she leads efforts to protect stingless bees, key pollinators of the Amazon Rainforest, while empowering Indigenous women and youth as conservation and science leaders. Her projects blend biodiversity research, ecological restoration, policy advocacy, and sustainable livelihoods, resulting in Peru’s first national law to protect stingless bees.

Rosa has received Peru’s Order of Merit for Biodiversity and Conservation (2025), the nation’s highest award in this field, and was named among the BBC 100 Women 2024. Her work has been featured by the BBC, New York Times, National Geographic, Forbes, and recognized with multiple international awards.

Rosa Vásquez Espinoza – photo by Ana Elisa Sotelo for National Geographic

What sparked your interest in stingless bees?

While conducting scientific research in the Peruvian Amazon, I witnessed communities using stingless bee honey to treat COVID-19 symptoms, a practice rooted in generations of traditional medicine. As a scientist trained in chemical biology, I was fascinated by the molecular richness of this honey. That moment was a turning point, revealing how these tiny pollinators connect biodiversity, human health, and cultural heritage.

Why did you establish Amazon Research Internacional (ARI)?

I founded ARI to create science-based conservation solutions rooted in Indigenous leadership. In the Amazon, conservation only works when it is co-created with the people who live there. ARI integrates research, cultural preservation, and sustainable economic opportunities, ensuring communities, especially women and youth, can thrive while protecting their ecosystems. A key part of our mission is training the next generation of Indigenous scientists, equipping them with both traditional knowledge and modern scientific tools so they can lead conservation and research efforts in their own territories.

Tell us an inspiring example from your work in Peru.

In the Ashaninka community of Marontoari in the high-altitude Amazon of the Cuzco Region, Micaela Huamán once saw her role confined to domestic work. Through our stingless beekeeping training, she has become a community leader, managing hives, teaching others, and generating income for her family. As she told me: “Before stingless beekeeping, I was only good for the kitchen. With stingless bees, I’ve become something more.” Her story is a reminder that biodiversity conservation can also transform lives.”

You can read more about Rosa’s work in Peru in the blog posts below: