Affiliations

University of Michigan
    College of Engineering
    Multidisciplinary Design Program
    Taubman College of Architecture   
    School of Art & Design
    Ross School of Business  
    Barger Leadership Institute
    English Language Institute 
    Ginsberg Center
    International Institute
    Davis Foundation
    E-MAGINE
    International Project Collaborative
    LS&A Honors Program
Community partner organizations
    Jaguar Ecological Reserve
    SESC Pantanal 
    SEDUC (Secretary of Education of Mato Grosso)
    Mato Grosso Secretary of Health
    Instituto Federal de Educação Tecnologia e Ciência - Mato Grosso
    Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso
    Colégio de Nazaré
Other Partners
    Focus Conservation Fund
    Focus Tours

Founders

Ethan Shirley is interested in integrating science, technology, and sustainable community development in third-world countries. Ethan is fluent in Portuguese, and has been going to this area in Brazil for eight years. 
He graduated from the University of Michigan with an Anthropology and Zoology major, and a minor in Paleontology.
 
Julie Bateman is interested in the exchange of ideas, opportunities, and services between rural and urban areas. And especially how this exchange can ameliorate a region's environment and its population's well-being. Julie studied Civil Engineering and Natural Resource Studies at the University of Michigan; she is conversational in Portuguese.

Current Research

Biological Research:

Current biological research is primarily concerned with the effects of habitat fragmentation and deforestation on primate species (brown capuchin monkeys [below left] and black-and-gold howler monkeys [below right]) which live in the area.



Sustainability Research:

PCER's solar power system will be used to analyze the benefits and challenges of installing, operating, and

maintaining renewable energy systems in remote regions. Non-polluting sources of electricity are especially important in fragile ecosystems such as the Pantanal wetland. On-site research is generously funded by U of M's LS&A Honors Program for summer 2010, and research will be compiled into a thesis by spring 2011.







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