Dr. Rosa Vasquez Espinoza – National Geographic Explorer, Amazon Scientist & Advocate for Indigenous Wisdom and Biodiversity

In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we journey into the heart of the Amazon and the mind of a remarkable woman pushing the boundaries of science, culture, and conservation—Dr. Rosa Vásquez Espinoza.

Rosa is a Peruvian chemical biologist, National Geographic Explorer, UN Harmony with Nature Scientist, and the founder of Amazon Research Internacional. 

Splitting her time between Bath, England, and the Peruvian rainforest, Rosa blends cutting-edge research with ancestral knowledge to protect biodiversity and uplift indigenous communities.

Her journey—from a curious child growing up in Peru to leading expeditions in the Amazon, researching the legendary Boiling River, studying stingless bees, and authoring The Spirit of the Rainforest—is nothing short of extraordinary. Rosa shares how she learned expedition skills later in life, why documenting indigenous science is crucial, and what it means to be a female scientist navigating international platforms like the UN and COP16.

This conversation is packed with insight into climate resilience, overcoming self-doubt, and the healing power of nature, science, and community. Rosa’s message is a powerful call to action for women everywhere: follow the questions that stay in your head—you never know where they may lead.

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Show notes

• Who is Dr Rosa
• Currently living in Bath
• Being based between England and Peru 
• Working as a Peruvian scientistic
• National Geographic Explorer 
• Leading science and conservation efforts in the Amazon Rainforest 
• Having a deep connection to her indigenous roots 
• Her early years living in Peru and relationship with her grandmother
• Spending time in the city and the mountains
• Being fascinated by the things she couldn’t understand 
• Loving space and wanted to know everything about the planet
• Having a fascination for science
• Wanting to dedicate her life to the Amazon 
• Getting her PhD in Chemical Biology from Michigan University 
• Taking a year off to get more work experience and reconsidering her whole life
• Being able to study traditi