María Isabel Dabrowski’s (MS ’20) fascination with the brain and human behavior shaped her academic and professional journey. Dabrowski received her BS in cognitive neuroscience at Washington University, where she initially focused on biomedical research dedicated to understanding cognitive function and neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease. However, the cutthroat environment that is common in that field of academia left her questioning whether it was the right path for her. A turning point came during her junior year when a viral video of a sea turtle with a straw being pulled from its nose sparked an epiphany. “I was having a typical junior-year existential crisis,” Dabrowski recalled, “and seeing that video, I thought, ‘I need to go save the sea turtles.’” 

Hungry to make a difference, Dabrowski raised funds for a sea turtle conservancy and volunteered there in Costa Rica over spring break. While she was there she had an eye-opening experience. “I met people who were often vilified as ‘poachers,‘ but they held so much knowledge about these animals,” she reflected. This experience flipped many preconceived notions about conservation on its head, sparking Dabrowski to shift her focus from strict cognitive neuroscience to understanding human behavior in relation to environmental and sustainability-related issues. This life-changing experience ultimately led her to the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS), where she specialized in Behavior, Education and Communication (BEC) and Ecosystem Science and Management (ESM).

Capstone Project in Ecuador

Driven by her desire to give back to the country where her grandmother was born, Dabrowski decided to focus her SEAS capstone project on Ecuador. “My grandma is Ecuadorian and I have so much family in Ecuador, so I knew I wanted to do something there that kind of gave back to the country that gave me my Grandma. And I wanted to somehow help sea turtles,” said Dabrowski.  

Partnering with the nonprofit  organization The Leatherback Project, Dabrowski and her team of local undergraduate students conducted over 120 interviews with artisanal fishers along Ecuador’s coast, with the aim of better understanding the motivations and barriers that Ecuadorian artisanal fishers face in adopting sustainable fishing practices. The project, initially met with skepticism, uncovered deep insights into the lives of these fishers. Despite warnings that the fishers would be unwilling to talk, Dabrowski’s team found the opposite. “We were told we’d get maybe 10 interviews, but over 100 interviews later, we had an overwhelming amount of data,” said Dabrowski. She credits her success to the trust-building efforts of her team, who approached the fishers with radical empathy and respect. 

One of the most significant challenges Dabrowski identified was the stigmatization of these artisanal fishers as “poachers” by government officials and conservation organizations. “They’re often painted as people who don’t care about the environment, but in reality, they’re hunting for food or doing what they need to do to care for their family and community,” Dabrowski explained. 

She also discovered that a key issue was the lack of available fish stocks, which forces fishers to keep whatever they catch, even if it’s out of season or prohibited. Additionally, the growing threat of pirates in Ecuadorian waters has made fishing more dangerous, with some fishers refusing to participate in interviews due to fear for their lives. “Conservation can’t be prioritized when your life is at risk,” Dabrowski noted. 

Lastly, money is a large barrier, particularly with regard to governmental benefits. “The government prioritizes benefits for industrial fishers at the expense of the artisanal fishers. So [artisanal fishers] think, ‘why would we want to follow the government’s conservation policies if they’re not doing anything to help us, or in fact are harming us?’” explained Dabrowski. 

Her project culminated in a report aimed at reshaping the narrative around artisanal fishing communities by humanizing their stories. “We ultimately want policymakers and Ecuadorian citizens to see these fishers not as nameless ‘poachers,’ but as people with rich histories, deep connections to the ocean and a desire to collaborate on conservation solutions,” she said.

Career at Rare

After graduating from SEAS, Dabrowski joined Rare’s Center for Behavior and the Environment as a senior outreach associate. Rare focuses on applying behavioral science to conservation efforts through a community-led and community-inspired approach, with the aim of inspiring behavior change so that people and nature can thrive. “Rare isn’t about forcing people to change their behavior—it’s about understanding their motivations and barriers and co-creating solutions that work for them,” Dabrowski explained.

In her role, Dabrowski works on the engagement and demand team, primarily focusing on expanding Rare’s tools and research, especially in Latin America. “My specific focus, as a Latina, is exploring how we can provide these behavior tools to communities in Latin America, given that’s a place where behavioral science hasn’t really been taken up as readily as it has in other countries,” said Dabrowski.

Dabrowski’s responsibilities at Rare are varied, from writing case studies and managing its website to training community leaders in behavior-centered design. “What I love most is seeing that lightbulb moment when people realize that behavior can change, and that conservation doesn’t have to be about top-down mandates—it can be about working with people’s existing values and beliefs to inspire change,” she said.

Go Green for the Ocean

Outside of her professional role, Dabrowski continues her advocacy work through her Instagram page, Go Green for the Ocean, which she started before coming to SEAS. Initially created to educate people living far from the coast on how their actions affect marine environments, the page has evolved into a vibrant community that discusses a wide range of environmental issues. “I realized that many people in the Midwest didn’t think their plastic use had any impact on the ocean. I wanted to show them that their small actions could make a difference,” she explained. Through humor and engaging content, she’s built a community of followers who care deeply about conservation.

Her online presence even led to key professional opportunities, including connecting with The Leatherback Project, which allowed her to pursue her SEAS capstone project in Ecuador. “Instagram became a way for me to bring together my passion for behavior change and conservation,” she said. “It’s amazing how powerful digital communities can be when it comes to environmental advocacy.”

Looking Ahead

Dabrowski’s journey is far from over. She continues to explore new ways to apply behavioral science to conservation, with the goal of inspiring widespread environmental change. “The work is never easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding,” Dabrowski said. “I’m always looking for creative ways to bridge the gap between people’s daily behaviors and the broader environmental impact we all want to see.” 

Dabrowski also emphasizes the importance of authenticity in conservation work. “I’m Latina, Puerto Rican and Ecuadorian, but I’m also Polish, German and Czech. I’ve been fortunate enough to have had a lot of experiences, and I bring all my identities and passions with me, even if they seem irrelevant to the conservation world at first,” said Dabrowski. She encourages others to do the same, noting that conservation is evolving. “People are sometimes afraid to bring their whole selves into their work, but in conservation, we’re moving away from siloed approaches. Bring your whole self because creativity and curiosity are what’s missing in today’s world and you never know how your unique experiences will be beneficial.”

To future environmental advocates and professionals, Dabrowski offers advice drawn from her own experience. 

“When you’re overwhelmed by the state of the planet, turn local. Turn to your local communities and local ecosystems and ask yourself, ‘what actions can I take, even if they’re small?’ Because seeing results from small actions can prevent the feeling of hopelessness from turning into apathy.”