M. Vikas works at the Loka Initiative as an Environmental Science Specialist. Vikas has a PhD in Environment & Resources from the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a Master’s degree in Conservation Ecology & Environmental Policy from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Vikas has previously worked in India with a non-profit focusing on raptor conservation, & as a corporate lawyer, specializing in M&A, private equity & corporate advisory.

Vikas lives in Madison with a 7-year old rescue cat named Bharu who sleeps during the day & loudly communes with his non-corporeal acolytes at night. Bharu approves of & embodies Terry Pratchett’s observation about felines, “In ancient times, cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this.”