Dr. M. Sanjayan

Dr. M. Sanjayan, Executive Vice President and senior scientist at Conservation International, is a leading global conservation scientist, writer and an Emmy-nominated news contributor focused on the role of conservation in improving human well-being, wildlife and the environment. He serves on CI’s senior leadership team, overseeing the organization’s Development, News and Publicity and Marketing and Branding strategies.

​​Sanjayan’s next TV series, Earth – A New Wild, will air on PBS in February 2015. Filmed in 29 countries on six continents and produced by National Geographic and Passion Pictures, the series examines how humans are inextricably linked with nature.

He also was the science correspondent for Years of Living Dangerously, a ten-episode Showtime docu-series event on climate change which recently won the 2014 Emmy for Outstanding Documentary.

Until recently, Sanjayan served as the Lead Scientist for The Nature Conservancy, where he spent 16 years specializing in development and conservation strategies, focusing on Africa, wildlife ecology and media outreach as their lead scientist and messenger.

He holds a masters from University of Oregon and a doctorate from the University of California, Santa Cruz. His scientific work has been published in journals including Science, Nature and Conservation Biology. Raised in Sri Lanka and Sierra Leone, Sanjayan’s unique background and expertise have also attracted mainstream media coverage in Vanity Fair, Men's Journal, National Geographic Adventure, Afar, Outside and The New York Times. He frequently contributes to CBS News’ science and environment coverage and has additionally hosted documentaries for BBC and Discovery.

Sanjayan is a sought after speaker on college and business campuses with recent appearances on stage at TED Global, International Women’s Forum, Aspen Environment Forum, Aspen Ideas Festival, Clinton Global Initiative, Google, and the Summit Series.

Sanjayan’s television experience also includes hosting and contributing to numerous documentaries for Discovery Channel and the BBC and serving as a contributor to CBS News. His 2013 CBS Evening News report on elephant poaching in Kenya earned him an Emmy nomination in the investigative journalism category. Guest appearances include NBC’s Today Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, NBC Nightly News, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, and the BBC.

Sanjayan is a Clinton Global Initiative Senior Advisor, a Catto Fellow at the Aspen Institute and a member of National Geographic Society’s Explorers Council, a distinguished group of top scientists, researchers and explorers who provide advice and counsel to the Society across disciplines and projects.

Dr. M. Sanjayan is the Executive Vice President of Senior Scientist at Conservation International, based in United States, North America. With a background in Non Profit, Dr. M. Sanjayan has a rich history of leadership and innovation.Dr. M. Sanjayan studied Master unknown at University of Oregon. Explore their detailed professional journey, key connections, and contributions to the industry on our platform.