Collective Spotlight: Sofía M. Villalpando

If the name Sofía M. Villalpando sounds familiar, that’s probably because it is! Sofía’s been a longstanding member of the Jackson Wild community, starting in 2018 as a SMASH Fellow. She then returned to Jackson Wild in 2021 as a Media Lab Fellow. In 2023, she was one of nine filmmakers in the Jackson Wild and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) Latinx Film Lab, a week-long intensive program for mid-career Latinx filmmakers based in Southern California and Baja California.

Photo courtesy of Sofía M. Villalpando

Sofía is a biologist, accomplished science communicator, and digital producer from Mexico. She is the visionary founder and producer of The Biologist Apprentice, a captivating website and YouTube channel on which she shares a diverse array of biology content and has amassed 60,000 subscribers. 

“My excitement about science started when I was a little girl; I’ve always been very curious and interested to understand how nature works. I grew up in a household that taught me to love and protect nature, the environment, and animals. Then, when pursuing my formal education in Biology, I noticed how many people were driven away from biology and science fields in general. I think this happens because these disciplines are full of technical terms that are hard to understand for laypeople. This experience inspired me to start a platform that could deliver information in a much more dynamic and easy way, make it fun and engaging, and, along the way, make people become more conscious about our natural world. That is how my blog, now turned YouTube channel, The Biologist Apprentice began.

For me, science communication is a bridge that connects all the things I love the most: science, nature, digital media, and films. By connecting complex concepts in biology to the public, I’m always excited about the challenge of making science accessible, engaging, and inspiring for a broader audience, fostering a deeper appreciation for the wonders of the natural world."

Photo courtesy of Sofía M. Villalpando

Sofía was born and raised in Mexico, greatly influencing her passion for the sciences. She holds the distinction of being the first Mexican YouTuber dedicated to the exploration of science and biology and has garnered a community of almost 60k on her channel.

“I feel blessed to have been born in Mexico. Growing up in this country has profoundly influenced my passion for biology and science. The rich biodiversity, cultural connection to nature, and exposure to unique ecosystems fueled my curiosity. My cultural background, life experiences, my family, and curious personality continue to shape my creative expression by infusing a unique perspective into my storytelling, allowing me to bring the beauty and importance of biodiversity with a distinctive voice.”

She wears many hats and has developed multiple skills within the industry, from on-screen hosting to podcasting to producing. This may seem overwhelming for some, but for Sofía, taking on the various aspects of filmmaking ignites her creativity.

“I really enjoy the diversity of skills that multiple roles bring, every time I start a project in a new role, it gives me a unique set of challenges and opportunities to be more creative. Whether it’s hosting on-screen, writing, producing behind the scenes, or creating a podcast, the variety keeps my work exciting and allows me to reach diverse audiences through different platforms, but to be honest, I’m most passionate about digital video production.”

Although, it doesn’t come without challenges.

“The most challenging aspect of my work is coming up with original ideas; I'm always trying to think outside the box and be as creative as possible, whether it's for a video, a podcast episode, or even a conversation with a live audience. But the most exciting and fun part is figuring out how to turn that idea into a compelling story worth telling.”

She completed her undergraduate in Biology at the Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes but saw the opportunity to strengthen her scientific background, leading to a greater understanding of storytelling. In 2022, Sofía left her home country and set out for a new adventure in America to pursue her Master’s in Biology at West Chester University in Pennsylvania.

Photo courtesy of Sofía M. Villalpando

“My work as a professional biologist and science communicator has allowed me to understand the importance and necessity of pursuing graduate education to gain advanced knowledge of the theory and practice of the biological sciences. This experience has helped me to have a stronger academic background and, as a result, has given me the credentials to inspire even more trust in the audience.

This academic journey has not only enriched my scientific knowledge it has also enhanced my writing and critical thinking skills, enabling me to approach storytelling with a more informed and nuanced perspective. It has allowed me to integrate scientific rigor seamlessly into my narratives, creating a more compelling and accurate representation of the natural world.”

For Sofía, one of her proudest achievements to date is completing her Master’s degree, not just for the academic accreditation but because of the journey she experienced along the way. 

“I'm proud to have completed my master's degree. It was a big challenge; I was completely out of my comfort zone. Leaving my country, my family, and everything I know to pursue a professional goal was hard but also very rewarding.”

Sofía has had many significant moments throughout her life that have impacted her career, but one in particular sticks out the most.

“Several moments have had a lasting impact on my life and career, but one pivotal moment was when I received my first fellowship in the U.S. for an event called SMASH (Science Media Awards & Summit in the Hub) in 2018. I was young with almost no experience, and this opportunity gave me a broader perspective on what I wanted to accomplish in my career as a science communicator.”

Having experienced many milestones in her personal and professional world, she has a lot of knowledge for her younger self and aspiring science communicators. The advice would she give to her younger self?

“I would advise my younger self and aspiring communicators to embrace curiosity and not fear rejection and failure. Every setback is an opportunity to learn and grow. Additionally, building a diverse skill set, remaining adaptable, working with honesty, and staying true to your passion are crucial elements for a fulfilling career in science communication and filmmaking.”

“As a biologist, I'm currently finishing my research project for my master’s degree in science, and I'm looking forward to publishing my first research paper! And as a digital producer, I’m in the process of developing a new film project.”

“I value and appreciate the Jackson Wild community as a space that fosters collaboration and idea-sharing, providing a safe space for networking and exposure to diverse perspectives. The multiple mentorship opportunities this community has given me have significantly improved the quality and impact of my work. I’m deeply grateful to Jackson Wild for supporting my career in science communication and filmmaking. Thank you very much for this opportunity. I would like to share my latest short films, which I produced for the Aquatic Ecosystems Lab at West Chester University, and my storytelling podcast, Animalitos & Plantitas. You will find these videos and the podcast here.“

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Photo courtesy of Sofía M. Villalpando

To keep up with Sofía's work, check out  The Biologist Apprentice, follow Sofía's Instagram, subscribe to The Biologist Apprentice on YouTube, and give The Biologist Apprentice a like on Facebook.

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