About
Highly accomplished Ecosystem Ecologist with over 8 years of international experience in biodiversity monitoring, climate change adaptation, and ecological restoration across diverse ecosystems. Proven ability to lead science-based initiatives, secure significant grant funding (e.g., €369,958), and leverage tech-enabled methodologies to deliver sustainable outcomes and enhance environmental resilience. Drives impactful research and programs, translating complex data into actionable solutions for nature recovery and sustainable development.
Work
Brussels, Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium
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Summary
Leads content development and program coordination for Embrace the Earth Europe, focusing on environmental resource creation and strategic program delivery.
Highlights
Developed comprehensive resources, including guidelines, briefs, learning modules, and training materials, to support environmental programs.
Orchestrated and managed workshops, training sessions, presentations, meetings, and grant writing initiatives, enhancing organizational impact across Europe.
Mambilla Plateau, Taraba State, Nigeria
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Summary
Spearheaded strategic research initiatives and project development for forest landscape restoration, driving conservation outcomes and community engagement.
Highlights
Led a research project on forest landscape restoration, identifying and assessing limitations to nature recovery, informing strategic conservation efforts.
Facilitated cross-cultural communication by translating between visiting scientists, field assistants, and community stakeholders, ensuring effective knowledge exchange and project success.
Co-wrote and submitted a PISCCA grant proposal for 'Beyond Bees,' a project empowering youth and women in forest communities through sustainable beekeeping and honey production.
Grew an online community of over 1,000 followers on the @Ngel_Nyaki X (formerly Twitter) account, raising awareness for conservation projects and research activities.
Authored and published a manuscript, presented research at a national conference, and represented the project at international forums (e.g., WRI Global Restoration Initiative), enhancing project visibility.
Developed a Data Management Protocol (DMP) guiding data usage and privacy for trainee students, ensuring data integrity and ethical handling.
Brussels, Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium
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Summary
Conducted advanced research in Biodiversity and Ecology, securing significant funding and contributing to academic instruction and mentorship.
Highlights
Secured €369,958 in research funding by co-writing a senior research project grant and an FWO research fellowship, significantly expanding research capabilities.
Managed a greenhouse and experimental garden, overseeing material imports and phyto-sanitary permits for complex research operations.
Coordinated two field excursions to nature reserves in Flanders for the MSc terrestrial ecology course, enhancing practical learning for students.
Supervised and mentored two MSc students, providing comprehensive guidance on experimental design, data analysis, and thesis writing, fostering next-generation researchers.
Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
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Summary
Contributed to environmental research through lab analysis, data processing, and academic instruction at a leading research institution.
Highlights
Conducted lab analysis and data processing, contributing to the writing of a publication draft in environmental research.
Assisted in practical classes, supporting the delivery of hands-on scientific education to students.
Presented a guest lecture for the MSc spatial ecology module at Martin-Luther University, Halle, Germany, sharing expertise with advanced students.
Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
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Summary
Performed comprehensive research on aquatic ecosystems, collecting and analyzing data to assess environmental impacts on water quality.
Highlights
Collected and analyzed physical, chemical, and phytoplankton data from multiple locations along the Karl-Heine-Kanal and Clara-Zetkin park in Leipzig, providing critical insights into aquatic health.
Designed and implemented studies to evaluate the impact of environmental conditions and climate on phytoplankton communities, directly addressing water quality issues.
Assisted Dr. Susanne Dunker on freshwater ecology practical classes for University of Leipzig MSc students, enhancing their learning experience.
Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
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Summary
Completed national youth service, supporting planning and intergovernmental relations for community development initiatives.
Highlights
Supported agency staff in planning capital projects focused on human capacity development, agriculture, food security, education, electricity, water & sanitation, and social & community intervention.
Performed primary assignments within the department of planning, intergovernmental & community relations, contributing to key agency functions.
Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
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Summary
Provided executive support, conducting research and drafting briefing notes to identify growth and expansion opportunities across the agricultural value chain.
Highlights
Conducted comprehensive research and drafted briefing notes, analyzing potential growth areas and identifying expansion opportunities to enhance organizational capacity and reach.
Supported three directors across the agricultural value chain (farming, trading, and processing), facilitating strategic decision-making and operational efficiency.
Mambilla Plateau, Taraba State, Nigeria
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Summary
Assisted in critical data collection and research projects, contributing to international conservation initiatives.
Highlights
Assisted in data collection for 5 PhD students from the University of Canterbury, contributing to advanced research projects including the Smithsonian ForestGeo plot census.
Served as a team member in the BirdLife International IBA (Important Bird Area) monitoring and habitat assessment, supporting global conservation efforts.
Volunteer
RIMBA
|Volunteer Researcher
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Summary
Synthesized complex policy documents to support stakeholder engagement and facilitate management planning for ecological conservation.
Highlights
Synthesized Malaysia's Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) policy documents into clear, concise summaries, facilitating effective stakeholder engagement.
Supported the Kenyir State Park management plan workshop by providing accessible policy insights.
Conducted monitoring surveys of large flying fox populations using field observations and drones, contributing to wildlife conservation efforts.
Independently compiled a 'Bird species checklist of Kampung Basung,' contributing to community awareness and outreach on local biodiversity.
Education
Awards
OZR FWO mandate
Awarded By
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
VLHUR Erasmus+ Mobility Grant
Awarded By
VLHUR
Awarded €4,790 for mobility.
European Commission's Erasmus Mundus Joint MSc Scholarship
Awarded By
European Commission
Received scholarship totaling approximately €40,000.
APLORI Ornithology Field Course Sponsorship
Awarded By
APLORI
Tropical Biology Association (TBA) Sponsorship
Awarded By
Tropical Biology Association (TBA)
Sponsored for an intensive field ecology course in Botswana.
Outstanding Research Contributions Award
Awarded By
Nigerian Montane Forest Project (NMFP)
VC Award for the Best Graduating Student of BTech Applied Ecology
Awarded By
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University
Recognized as the best graduating student in BTech Applied Ecology.
Publications
Languages
English
Arabic
Hausa
Fulani
French (Basic)
Certificates
Skills
Environmental Science & Ecology
Ecosystem Restoration, Biodiversity Monitoring, Climate Change Adaptation, Ecological Assessments, Environmental Project Design, Rapid Ecosystem Functions Assessment, Nature Recovery, Environmental Resilience, Phytoplankton Communities, Plant-Soil Feedback, Forest Landscape Restoration, Ornithology, Wildlife Monitoring, Policy Synthesis.
Data Analysis & Modeling
Statistical Modeling (Linear & Mixed Models, Classical Statistics, Simulation-based Model Validation, Machine Learning), Geo-spatial Analysis, Remote Sensing, Data Processing, Data Synthesis, Quantitative Analysis.
Software & Tools
R, GitHub, ArcGIS, SAGA GIS, Zotero, RMarkdown, Microsoft Office Suite, Canva, Inkscape.
Project Management & Leadership
Program Development, Project Coordination, Grant Writing, Stakeholder Engagement, Capacity Building, Outreach, Team Leadership, Mentorship, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Strategic Planning.
Research & Documentation
Scientific Research, Manuscript Writing, Publication, Technical Documentation, Briefing Note Development, Data Management Protocol Development, Literature Synthesis, Academic Mentoring.
Communication & Outreach
Cross-Cultural Communication, Presentations, Workshops, Training Delivery, Social Media Campaigns, Community Outreach, Public Speaking, Report Writing.
References
Professor Harry Olde Venterink
Chair, Wilderness and Biodiversity Under Change (WILD) research group, Department of Biology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium | Email: harry.olde.venterink@vub.be
Professor Hazel Chapman
Founder and Executive Director, Nigerian Montane Forest Project, Mambilla Plateau, Nigeria. Professor, University of Canterbury, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, New Zealand | Email: hazel.chapman@canterbury.ac.nz
Professor Shehu Usman Hassan
Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, Federal University of Kashere. CEO/MD Transaxis Energy, Abuja | Email: shehu.hassan@fukashere.edu.ng; shehu.hassanus.usman@gmail.com