My area of interest in primate behaviors, not only because I have a background in zoology and conservation but also as someone who spent most of my time with primates. Moreover, I have some skills related to people vs wildlife conflict around PAs. currently, I'm working as a research assistant in mountain gorilla behavior data collection at Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund | Rwanda.
As a promoter of culture and diversity, Gerald Nkusi is a travel ecopreneur with Adventure Afrika and founder of Home of Kigezi (a Museum of Living Culture and Natural History), Nkunga Eco Village, and the Food Forest Africa movement. His roots and home are in Kisoro, a part of the Kigezi region in Uganda. Starting as a waiter trading long nights of work for education at the famous Makerere University 2006 and a US Exchange Alumni-IVLP 2017, he has transformed into a local and global actor in the cultural heritage and conservation space. Gerald's Food Forest Africa movement is revolutionizing the use of small and waste spaces for food, health, education and environment to help counter food insecurity, poor nutrition, and the degradation of natural resources.
ADITI SHARMA
Independent Wildlife Consultant (Former Senior Veterinary Officer, AHD, UK Govt.), EY, WII,GIZ, Member, Wildlife SAB, Morris Animal Foundation, Colorado Member, WiNN Global Mentoring Committee
This is Aditi Sharma and I am a Veterinarian. I completed my Masters in Veterinary Surgery & Radiology in 2004. I did a PG Diploma in Advanced Wildlife Management from the Wildlife Institute of India in 2015 & PG Diploma in One Health from COHORT, Kerela in 2023. I served the Department of Animal Husbandry in Uttarakhand State Government as Senior Veterinary Officer for 20 years and retired voluntarily on 31st January 2023 to continue as a Freelancer Wildlife Consultant. Currently, I am working on three projects related to Wildlife Health, One Health & Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation. I served in Rajaji Tiger Reserve in Northern India for 5 years from 2015-2020. I am the Founder of two public charitable Trusts, one works for women's empowerment & safety and the other works for environment conservation.
I am a third-year student at African Leadership University pursuing a Bachelor of Global Challenges degree, graduating in June 2024. I'm passionate about working in the environmental and wildlife conservation industry to use skills gained from my tertiary education and make a difference as a research professional. I previously worked as a research intern on Land use activities at ALU School of wildlife conservation. And I gained hands-on experience working with writing case studies, analyzing qualitative and quantitative data, and working and communicating professionally.
Suhail Bashir
Environmental Consultant, WildHub Community Advocate, ENS Environmnetal Consultancy Sharjah
Experienced Environmental Engineer/Consultant with a proven track record of leading successful environmental initiatives and delivering sustainable solutions. My expertise encompasses a diverse range of areas, including Baseline Studies, Environment Impact Assessments (EIA/IEE/ESIA), Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, and Environmental Conservation & Sustainability.
Currently, I am making a significant impact as an Environmental Engineer/Consultant at one of the leading Environmental Consultancy, specializing in preparing comprehensive environmental study reports for clients primarily from Hamriyah Free Zone Sharjah and Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority Dubai. These reports play a crucial role in promoting environmental compliance and sustainable practices within the industry.
I am an Ecologist by training. My research interests have focused on : Relations between protected areas and local communities; Wildlife conservation; Community Building; Environmental governance ; Conflict management ; Climate change.
I specialise in communications and marketing for environmental charities, making ordinary people give a damn about and engage in environmental stories and campaigns - fuelling action and creating change. I work for an agency called more onion that helps progressive charities and non-profits have more impact through campaigns, fundraising and/or supporter engagement. My I love working with animal/environmental charities, as this is the area I'm most passionate about. I've worked for WWF, Greenpeace & Surfers Against Sewage, as well as grassroots organisations. As I'm neurodivergent, disabled, a carer and from a working class background, I'm passionate about making sure projects and campaigns are as inclusive as possible - we need everyone to change the world on the scale needed. Studying an MA in Anthrozoology part-time at Exeter (remote). My final project is studying vocalisations of critically endangered captive Javan Green Magpies and how we can use bioacoustics to inform welfare and understanding. Primate fan, but now falling in love with song birds. I have a BSc in Biology from St Andrews and won an Undergraduate Award for my genetics research. I live in the UK. Born in London, but living by the sea in Cornwall. Please feel free to connect on LinkedIn :)
With experience in Marine Animal Rehab., Rescue and Research coupled with a nerdy love of data, data science and all things technology, my data collection software company, WatchSpotter is the cumulation of my life’s work. From the hallways of the Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center at the University of New England, my affinity for caring for marine animals was fostered and grew. Being tasked with the center’s life support systems and flow thru animal pools further opened my eyes to water quality, fecal coliforms, and bio-loads. I was the primary research technician in a multiphase study: Protecting the Saco River: Tracking non-point fecal pollution to its species source. Upon leaving UNE, I traveled to the Southern Great Barrier Reef Australia to work on an international research team focusing on population dynamics for three cetacean species. Once back stateside, I sharpened my Software UX skills working as a software consultant for Centersoft Technologies. After a brief stint volunteering for the Dolphin Photo ID program at Florida Atlantic University Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, I was hired to join the team. I split time the first years at FAU HBOI between the Harmful Algal Bloom lab and the Dolphin Population and Assessment Lab. Settling in as a Research Assistant for the latter as well as a first responder for the Marine Mammal Rescue Team. In working with the Dolphin Population and Assessment Primary Researcher, along with other industry collaborators, I soon became the PIs data analyst and was paramount in the creation and development of the programs state of the art cloud-based SQL database platform. I worked as a liaison between the research program and software architects to assure ease of use, maximum data output and advanced analytics. The software is still used by the newly formed team today. At the end of 2019 it was time for me to branch out on my own. In the spring of 2022, WatchSpotter was born. My idea was to create a customizable SaaS application that could be used by researchers worldwide. Data is data- scientific questions need to be answered. My contingency was that no matter what the research topic- if the research brings people into the field-whether scientists, volunteers, or citizens, they are there to gather data-to answer questions. I knew that the two biggest challenges facing many environmental research groups were time and money. It would not be feasible for most nonprofits or other environmental institutions to pay for custom software- which often runs in excess of $150K nor do they have the time to wait for such programs to be complete. These known challenges fueled the customization and simple UX that make up the WatchSpotter platform. When I’m working with Environmental Science or software, I enjoy being outside in the woods or at the beach, volunteering and hanging with family and friends.
I am a conservation enthusiast with a bias for wildlife fauna. I intend to specialize in project management. I am also looking for more opportunities in conservation all over the world, especially in the UK, USA, Canada, South Africa, Namibia, and Tanzania.
Meet Muhammad Asif Khan, a passionate forestry student. With a strong interest in conservation and sustainability, I'm dedicated to understanding the management of forests and the impact of human activity on them. In my free time, I enjoy hiking and camping in the great outdoors. I'm also active in student clubs and organizations related to forestry and environmental conservation. I wish to do my Master's in Forestry abroad.
Passionate lover of nature
Brooke Aldrich
Trustee / Macaque Coalition Coordinator, Neotropical Primate Conservation / Asia for Animals Coalition / AfA Macaque Coalition
I started working with captive rescued monkeys in 1999 and went on to earn an MSc in Primate Conservation (Oxford Brookes University) and another in International Animal Welfare Ethics and Law (University of Edinburgh). I've worked for a number of animal welfare organizations, most recently the Animals Asia Foundation and the Asia for Animals Coalition. I've been trustee and director for Neotropical Primate Conservation since its establishment as a UK charity in 2007. I'm particularly interested in the way human and non-human primates relate to one another, and the intersection between conservation and animal welfare. I feel that it's important that these are treated as complimentary, rather than contradictory, concepts. At present I am exploring primate welfare in the context of human-macaque conflict mitigation strategies. Please feel free to contact me here to talk about this if it's of interest to you! I am originally from the US but have lived in the UK for many years.