Science communication is an integral part of wildlife conservation
Engaging in public outreach is one of the most important aspects of my work
Recent Events
A Distant Refuge February 10, 2020
Research Highlight by The Current, UCSB Scientific News
“We tend to think of African wildlife refuges as large tracks of land where megafauna roam unimpeded and tourists gawk from the back of four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Turaco Trails, a new private refuge in western Uganda, doesn’t fit the mold. You can walk its perimeter in about 20 minutes, and its biggest animals are a few free-range long-horn cattle, said Ronnie Steinitz, a UC Santa Barbara anthropology doctoral student who studies monkeys on the reserve”
Answers in Excrement January 29, 2020
Interviewed by Mongabey - Online News Outlet for Conservation Topics
Red-tailed Monkey at Turaco Trails
Interviewed by LiveScience about primate behavior - check out this quick read! July 28, 2019
FieldWORKshop 2019
Amy Anderson, Mallory Melton, and I organized the first FieldWORKshop at UCSB- a workshop geared towards providing field researchers of all academic stages, abilities, and backgrounds with tools for successful planning and execution of fieldwork- in the U.S. and abroad. Speakers from Student Health, Field First Aid, Title IX office, Ombuds, ADA, Graduate Research Funding, and Counseling and Psychological Services provided attendees with useful resources for conducting fieldwork.
Invited talk at UC Santa Cruz - Anthropology Department Seminar, November 2018
Watch my interview for the SERA promotional video! Fall 2018
Femmes of STEM
Contributing Member at Femmes of STEM Podcast and Blog: a science history collective dedicated to sharing the stories of women in the history of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (May 16, 2018)
Featured speaker: Ronnie Steinitz
“Our first OUTreach seminar was a success!
Ronnie gave a captivating talk about her history in science and her planned PhD dissertation work, complete with charismatic primates and some truly beautiful slides. Thanks Ronnie!”
Member of 500 Women Scientists: an inclusive scientific community dedicated to training a more diverse group of future leaders in science and to use the language of science to bridge divides and enhance global diplomacy (2018 - present)
Wildlife Specialist - Girl Scout's day at the Moorpark Teaching Zoo- earning their "animal care" badge! (March 18th, 2018)
Guest Host on STEM Squad: an online science communication platform for women in STEM fields (December 2017)
Gathering donated items from the UCSB community to provide enrichment for the animals at the Santa Barbara Zoo during the Thomas Fire
Panelist - Ecology, Behavior and Evolution Club; UCSB BS/MS info session (2014 - 2015)
Steering Committee Member - College Provost Steering Committee; Thurgood Marshall College, UCSD (2012 - 2013)
Project Advisor - San Diego High Tech Middle School; Science research project (2012)
Volunteer caretaker at Parque Ambue Ari - Communidad Inti Wara Yassi, Bolivia (April - June 2009)