Dr. Jane Goodall

Who She Is

Jane Goodall was a British primatologist, conservationist, and one of the most recognized scientists in the world. Born in London in 1934, Goodall dreamed of studying animals in Africa from childhood. Without a college degree, she traveled to Kenya at age 23 and was offered the opportunity to study wild chimpanzees in what is now Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania. Her observations, including the groundbreaking discovery that chimpanzees make and use tools, fundamentally changed how scientists understand the relationship between humans and other animals. She went on to earn her Ph.D. from Cambridge University and founded the Jane Goodall Institute.

Why She Matters

Jane Goodall's career shows that a deep love of animals and a willingness to ask questions no one else was asking can reshape an entire scientific field. She entered zoological research without a traditional academic background and made discoveries that challenged long-held assumptions about what distinguishes humans from other species. Goodall spent the second half of her career inspiring young people through her Roots & Shoots program, which engages youth in conservation projects in more than 60 countries. For aspiring zoologists, her life is proof that passion and persistence can take you further than any credential.