My Fulbright research seeks to strengthen the survival of orphaned koalas by improving the immune support they receive in care. By learning how koala milk naturally protects developing joeys, I hope to help create more effective milk replacers that give rescued animals a stronger start and support long-term species recovery.
Marion Duval graduated from Bucknell University with honors in Cell Biology & Biochemistry.
As a Fulbright Scholar, Marion is expanding her undergraduate research on insect antimicrobial peptides to a new biological system by investigating immune components expressed in koala milk. Using genomic analysis, she aims to identify the protective factors that help joeys fight infection while in the pouch. Her work will support the development of improved milk formulas for orphaned koalas and strengthen wildlife conservation and rehabilitation.