I am currently a doctoral student in the LMI SHUNT International Mixed Laboratory program on the sustainability of the hunting system in the Dahomey Gap (Benin). This is part of the collaboration between the Research Institute for Development (IRD) and the Laboratory of Applied Ecology (LEA) of the University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC). I am currently doing my research on the conservation of the habitats of this hunting system. I am a research assistant at the Applied Ecology Laboratory at the University of Abomey-Calavi. Thus, from 2022 to 2023, I was a facilitator in a project to restore sacred forests in South Benin.

I'm Liane, and I am a WildLearning Specialist at WildTeam! I'm looking forward to getting to know you all! For the last few years, I've been working in Seychelles, focusing on island and marine conservation efforts, particularly coral restoration and turtle nesting monitoring. If you ask me questions about coral, be prepared for me to get very nerdy about it! Prior to that, I was managing a project in Northern Thailand, where I worked closely with a local community to set up ethical elephant experiences in their village. In my free time, I love running and hiking, and being anywhere in nature. I have also learnt to freedive in the last few years and enjoy doing that when possible. I'm really interested in talking to different people and learning from them and their unique experiences.

I am a dedicated marine and freshwater biologist currently pursuing my PhD, focusing on wildlife conservation and sustainable fishing practices. My academic journey has been deeply rooted in understanding the complexities of marine ecosystems and the challenges they face. I completed my MSc with a thesis on the West African Manatee (T. Senegalensis), where I investigated the mechanisms of bycatch through different gillnet configurations. This study not only mimicked the daily fishing activities of local fishers but also provided valuable insights into the interactions between manatees and fishing gear. My findings revealed new species involved in bycatch, as well as the primary causes of fish damage, ultimately suggesting the best gillnet configurations to minimize bycatch. In my PhD program, I am expanding my research to identify and map bycatch sites along the coast of Cameroon. My current projects include analyzing various pollutants found in sharks and rays, understanding the effects of these pollutants on the health and genetics of these species, and determining their age to better comprehend their life cycles and conservation needs. I am passionate about reducing bycatch and promoting sustainable fishing practices. As part of my conservation activities, I will be training local fishermen on best releasesing practices, which involve techniques to safely release life bycatch back into the water, and educating them on how to effectively use GPS technology to monitor and manage their fishing activities. I believe that community engagement is crucial for successful conservation efforts. I invite community members and local stakeholders to join me in these important initiatives. Together, we can work towards protecting our marine ecosystems and ensuring sustainable fishing for future generations. Thank you for your interest in my work!. I look forward for collaboration as I still find difficulties in having a laboratory for analysis. Thanks🙏 

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.