Reflections on the impact of Dr. Jane Goodall
The trailblazing scientist and conservationist was an inspiration to many.
The Department of Integrative Biology (IBIO) at Michigan State University mourns the
loss of Dr. Jane Goodall, who passed away on October 1st, 2025.
The world, in turn, lost a brilliant mind – one who peeled back the curtain of animal behavior to show us the intrinsic value of understanding and respect for the natural world, and for one another.
Dr. Goodall was more than a researcher: she broke boundaries in our understanding of, and empathy for, chimpanzees. She advocated tirelessly for conservation efforts and for education, providing inspiration to thousands of young scientists, conservationists, and science communicators.
As a diverse community of animal researchers, IBIO is home to many who were influenced by Dr. Goodall and empowered by the resources and opportunities she helped cultivate.
IBIO has rich history and traditions in zoology dating back to 1860, a tapestry that includes
contemporaries, such as our own Dr. Kay Holekamp (who’s been described as the “Jane
Goodall of hyenas”) who spent decades studying the social structure and intelligence
of large mammals in their natural environment, as well as those who have met, collaborated
with, and been inspired by Dr. Goodall.
Dr. Goodall’s impact on zoology is indellible, and her impact will surely resonate
for generations. Please join us in celebrating Jane’s life, legacy, and the hope she
created for our species and those with which we share this fragile planet.
Reflections from across IBIO
“I worked with the incredible Gombe chimpanzee and baboon data collected over decades.
I worked with the Jane Goodall Institute, through collaborations with Anne Pusey (current
Director of JGI). A primate consortium published 5 papers on the chimps and one on
the baboons. Papers are still forthcoming from others working there and collecting
these long-term data. Long-term data and study are critical for understanding the
social structure and demography of long-lived species.”
Dr. Anne Bronowski, IBIO Associate Chair
"Even as a kid, seeing the incredible work that Dr. Goodall was doing was incredibly
inspirational, and she serves as a message of hope for a better future."
Elena Renshaw, IBIO Graduate Student
