About me
Hi! I’m happy you made it to my little corner of the internet 🧡
I’m Marie, a primatologist and science communicator from Belgium.
My curiousity with the animal kingdom began at a very young age, a love I'm lucky enough to say is a genetic condition passed down from my parents. I was over the moon when my father brought home an adorable Chartreuse cat when I was little, who had a surprise litter of kittens fairly quickly (right under my bed)! While most found loving new homes, we were fortunate enough to keep three. I spent countless hours observing their every move, often attempting to rescue the small creatures they'd bring indoors, from mice and birds to bunnies and frogs. These early experiences made it very clear that I wanted to dedicate my life to helping animals🦊🐦🦌🐳
I was also fascinated with apes and monkeys (and dinosaurs, but that’s a story for a different time). When I found out about the groundbreaking work of Dian Fossey & Jane Goodall, I couldn’t believe spending time in the jungle observing animals was a profession! It seemed too good to be true because that’s what I was already doing in the backyard in my free time anyway…
This passion led me to pursue biology and animal care in college. Immediately after, I embarked on a fulfilling career as a veterinary technician, later transitioning to an animal caretaker role for small mammals and birds. I genuinely loved these positions; greeting my furry and feathered friends each day brought immense joy. However, I eventually found myself craving more mental stimulation—a form of "enrichment," if you will.
Even though it didn’t seem like a logical decision to many people around me, I decided to pursue a Masters in Primate Conservation at the Oxford Brookes University in England. People doubted me and said “there are no monkeys in Belgium! You won’t find a career in wildlife conservation unless you move abroad…”, I went for it anyway. And honestly, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Not only was I lucky enough to be given so much information and knowledge about these creatures I love so much, but I met a network of people who loved them just as much as I do! Thanks to this masters, I was able to travel to Thailand and observe gibbons and their behaviour, which was incredible!
After a year immersed in my wildlife-focused bubble, I graduated in September 2025. I now split my time, working full-time as a science communicator for my local university + part-time for one of my former professors at Oxford Brookes. During the week, I delve into fascinating research happening at the university, then communicate it to the public (to get people as excited about science as I am).
And on weekends, I've essentially carved out my own unique role within the IUCN Section on Small Apes, combining my primate knowledge with UX/UI design and coding.
Ultimately, when there’s a will, there’s a way. Don’t let anyone discourage you from pursuing something you’re truly passionate about, even if the path forward isn’t immedialtey obvious (or logical). And if the job you’re looking for doesn’t exist yet, create it! Be the first one! And then consider sharing your journey online to inspire others to follow suit ;-)
