Stony Brook University commemorated the 20th anniversary of the Turkana Basin Institute (TBI) with a day-long conference at the Charles B. Wang Center on October 22. The event, titled “TBI @ 20: Two Decades of Daring to Dig Deeper,” brought together faculty, staff, students, and researchers to reflect on two decades of scientific work and look ahead to future projects.
Established in 2005 through a partnership between Stony Brook University and the late paleoanthropologist Richard Leakey, TBI has become an important center for research in human evolution, archaeology, geology, adaptation, and climate change. The institute supports year-round fieldwork and educational programs in Kenya’s northern region.
Stony Brook President Andrea Goldsmith opened the conference by recognizing Leakey’s influence as both a scholar and mentor. “Richard Leakey was not only a transformational scholar, he was also an inspiring mentor,” Goldsmith said. “He mentored so many future paleontologists and anthropologists, including students from Stony Brook who had never seen a fossil before and left forever changed. If we looked at the impact of Richard Leakey in terms of his mentorship, it would be just as profound as his founding of the Turkana Basin Institute.”
Goldsmith described TBI as “a model of interdisciplinary collaboration and a global example of how research, education, and community can come together to advance science and opportunity.” She announced plans to visit TBI in January alongside Simons STEM Scholars during their three-week field school. “Many of these students have never left the country,” she said. “To take them to TBI to experience the magic of this place — to see discovery come alive — is something I want to witness firsthand.”
She emphasized TBI’s commitment not only to research but also to supporting local communities: “Our service to the community in Kenya helps support the Turkana Basin. That connection — between education, research, and humanity — makes TBI a very special part of our university.”
During her remarks, Goldsmith introduced Gabrielle A. Russo as interim director of TBI and Gregory Henkes as associate director.
Russo reflected on her experience with TBI: “I’ve been part of the TBI research community for nearly a decade, and have previously served as the institute’s Associate Director and then Deputy Director,” she said. “Now, it is an honor to serve both the TBI and SBU community as TBI’s interim director.”
The conference included brief research presentations from students involved in various field schools at TBI as well as members of the 2025 Simons STEM Scholars cohort who participated in fieldwork earlier that year. Faculty members shared updates on ongoing projects related to human origins, earth sciences, and ecology.
Provost Carl Lejuez highlighted how TBI contributes to Stony Brook’s international mission: “TBI represents what’s best about Stony Brook — discovery with purpose,” he said. “It brings together faculty, students, and international partners to tackle the biggest questions about who we are and where we come from. And it does so with a deep respect for the communities that make that work possible.”
Kevin Gardner, vice president for research and innovation at Stony Brook University Research & Innovation , spoke about collaborative science at TBI: “TBI represents the best of what collaborative science can be,” he said. “It brings together people from different disciplines, cultures, and countries, all focused on advancing knowledge that connects us as human beings. It’s a perfect example of how research can both honor the past and drive the future.”
Lawrence Martin—Distinguished Service Professor and former director—recounted how Leakey joined Stony Brook after receiving an honorary degree despite having no formal high school diploma. Martin explained that within three years they established permanent field stations in Kenya by raising nearly $40 million.
“I want to build a global center for excellence in human evolution in Kenya but to serve the international scientific community,” Leakey told Martin during early discussions about founding TBI.
Martin noted that over time scientists from almost 100 countries representing 30 academic institutions have worked at TBI: “Every Stony Brook president since has recognized its importance, and I’m delighted that President Goldsmith is so committed to carrying this legacy forward.”
Presentations highlighted diverse projects such as entomologist Dino Martins’ work on genetic adaptation among Turkana people through collaborative studies designed with local input: “We designed this research hand-in-hand with the community,” Martins said. “They co-created the questions. Their insight deepened our science.” He added: “Science is better when it’s shared,” emphasizing ethical engagement with local partners.
Louise Leakey closed out proceedings by reflecting on her family legacy starting from discoveries at Olduvai Gorge up through today’s modern facilities at Ileret and Turkwel hosting hundreds each year: “If only my grandparents Louis and Mary Leakey could see what has grown from that first fossil discovery…” She credited teamwork across continents for building up infrastructure while expressing hope Kenyan scientists will lead future discoveries: “The people of northern Kenya will be experts… exploring our shared story of humanity from where it began.”
