On October 9th, WINGS will induct five new Fellows during our 2025 Women of Discovery Awards Gala in New York City. In a special Q&A series, we are sharing a little bit about each honoree. Dr. Nurzhafarina Othman, also known as Farina, is a conservation scientist dedicated to protecting the endangered Bornean elephant. She founded the Seratu Aatai initiative, which works with Indigenous communities in Sabah to reduce human-elephant conflict.
WINGS: Tell us your story. How did you get involved in science and your field specifically?
DR. FARINA OTHMAN: I was always good at biology, and like most science students, I grew up thinking I’d become a doctor, engineer, or pharmacist those “classic” science paths we always hear about (and get encouraged to chase whether we like it or not!). But I ended up being offered Conservation Biology for my bachelor’s degree.
At the time, the term felt pretty alien in Malaysia, most people had no idea what it actually meant. I chose it because it allowed me to be close to nature, which has always felt right to me. And then I met the elephants. That changed everything. Once I started working with them, I never looked back.
WINGS: What is something you would like people to understand about your work?
DR. FARINA OTHMAN: One thing I’d really like people to understand is that in conservation, we don’t recommend actions based on emotion, we speak based on data. It’s not just about loving animals or wanting to protect nature (though that passion is definitely there). Our work is rooted in evidence, long-term monitoring, and scientific analysis.
It’s also not a sprint. It’s a marathon. Change doesn’t happen overnight. It requires patience, persistence, and a lot of perseverance especially when working with complex challenges like human-elephant conflict or habitat loss. But every small step counts, and over time, those steps add up to real impact.
WINGS: What are the greatest barriers to more women working in science?
DR. FARINA OTHMAN: One of the greatest barriers to more women working in science, in my view, is how science is taught. It’s often too advanced too quickly, without enough attention given to sparking curiosity or making it relatable. Instead of nurturing wonder, it sometimes feels like a race to memorize complex concepts or pass the next exam.
As you go higher, the focus tends to shift even more, from discovery and impact to publications, rankings, and who gets the biggest grant. That environment can be discouraging, especially for women who might already be balancing other pressures or dealing with biases in the system. We need to create spaces where people, especially young women can explore science with curiosity and confidence, not fear of not being “enough.”
WINGS: What gets you up in the morning?
DR. FARINA OTHMAN: What gets me up in the morning is the constant question: Can I do better? Can I do better for the elephants? For the communities? For the planet? That quiet, daily challenge keeps me going. It’s not about being perfect it’s about pushing myself to grow, even if it’s just a little, every day.
WINGS: What’s your next challenge?
DR. FARINA OTHMAN: My next challenge is to implement the findings from my research. Turning data into real-world impact, especially in conservation isn’t always straightforward, but that’s where the work truly matters. It’s about bridging the gap between what we know and what we do.
WINGS: Describe yourself in three words.
DR. FARINA OTHMAN: Curious. Stubborn. Nature-loving.
