Kiki Combs (She/Her)

I’m a Ugandan public health and One Health specialist connecting human, wildlife, and ecosystem health. My journey began in a rural village, where health was only seen in clinics. Working with Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH) taught me how communities, wildlife, and ecosystems are inseparably linked. I lead programs across Uganda’s protected areas with Village Health and Conservation Teams, youth, women’s groups, and reformed poachers to implement disease surveillance, biosecurity, and community-led conservation solutions. I hold an MPH and a postgraduate certificate in Global Health (Human-Animal-Ecosystem Interface, University of Geneva), contribute to peer-reviewed publications, and present at global forums, including the World One Health Congress. I believe community ownership is not an add-on—it’s the intervention. One Health is not a theory; it’s people, relationships, and shared responsibility. 🔗 LinkedIn Profile

As an environmental conservationist, I specialize in Species Management through research and comprehensive Project/Programme Management, forging Partnerships and Collaborations to amplify conservation efforts. With a keen focus on Monitoring and Evaluation, I ensure the efficacy of strategies while integrating Livelihood, Economic, and Moral Incentives to foster sustainable practices. My expertise extends to Land and Water Management, mitigating human impact for ecological resilience. I excel in Human Resources, cultivating passionate teams, and securing resources through Fundraising to sustain conservation projects. Committed to Education and Training, I empower future generations for environmental stewardship, ensuring a harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.

Conservation

I am a graduate of Forestry and Environmental Management from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria, with a strong interest in wildlife conservation, biodiversity, ornithology, forestry, and environmental sustainability. I am passionate about understanding and protecting natural ecosystems and hope to build a career that combines field-based conservation, ecological research, environmental management, and community engagement. My academic training provided me with foundational knowledge and practical experience in areas including forest management, wildlife ecology, biodiversity conservation, nursery management, seed technology, plantation establishment, environmental management, and ecological field surveys. These experiences have strengthened my interest in applying scientific knowledge to real-world environmental and conservation challenges. I have gained additional practical exposure through participation in conservation and biodiversity initiatives, including the Nigerian Bird Atlas Project (NiBAP) under the A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute (APLORI). I have also volunteered with the Biodiversity Preservation Center (BPC), Uyo, contributing to biodiversity awareness, environmental education, and conservation-related activities. I am particularly interested in ornithology, wildlife monitoring, ecological research, habitat conservation, and technology in environmental management. My training in remote sensing and snakebite management has strengthened my field research and environmental monitoring skills. I also actively document biodiversity through wildlife observation, photography, plant cultivation, and bird monitoring and contribute to iNaturalist, where I continue to learn through citizen science and collaboration with naturalists globally. I am open to cooperation, research, internships, fellowships, scholarships, training, and more academic possibilities as I start my career. Working with researchers, conservation groups, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and other groups that promote environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation excites me. I am currently looking for possibilities to obtain more experience, contribute to meaningful conservation work, further my professional development, and become a competent wildlife and environmental conservation specialist. 🦁🐍🦅🌳 Feel free to connect with me via the following platforms: Twitter: Happiness Eniang  Facebook: Happiness Eniang

A Florida native and University of West Florida alum, she has pursued advanced studies in Tropical Forest Landscapes Conservation and Restoration at Yale University. She has expanded her knowledge in Science Communication and Sustainable Development Goals through Erasmus University Rotterdam. Additionally, she has gained expertise in Large Marine Ecosystems' Assessment and Management from Cape Town University. In addition to her role as an ecopreneur, she actively engages in volunteer work with environmental and conservation organizations, as well as outreach groups, using her professional skills to contribute meaningfully to the assistance of others.

My background is mainly in species conservation, education and capacity exchange. I researched mother-young interactions in gorillas and chimpanzees, in captivity and the wild. After that, I worked for three years in Indonesia, where I developed and implemented youth ambassador and community engagement programmes on local and regional scales. I co-founded WildHub, a community of nature conservation professionals, in 2020 and work as their Community Lead. I am furthermore on the Advisory Board of the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE) at the University of Kent where I obtained my PhD on capacity development for conservation in 2022.