James MacCarthy is a Research Associate with Global Forest Watch (GFW) where he supports the development of machine learning methods to identify drivers of deforestation and explores the role forest fires play in tree cover loss and recovery.

Prior to joining WRI, James worked on a variety of sustainable development projects in more than 30 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America ranging from wildlife and forest conservation as a Technical Manager at Conservation International to food security and public health as a Research Associate at FHI 360.

James holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Wheaton College in Norton, MA and a Master’s degree in Environmental Management from Duke University where he studied the effects of hunting and forest degradation on wildlife communities in Gabon and the effectiveness of mangrove conservation efforts in Thailand.

In his free time, James enjoys cooking, reading, and hiking in Charlottesville, VA with his wife, son, and two dogs.