Ridwan Jaafar

Ecosystem Ecologist & Environmental Programs Strategist
Abuja, NG.

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

Embrace the Earth
|

Environmental Programs & Project Officer

Brussels, Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium

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.

Nigerian Montane Forest Project
|

Lead Strategist & Research Associate

Mambilla Plateau, Taraba State, Nigeria

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.

Vrije Universiteit Brussel
|

PhD Research Fellow & Teaching Assistant

Brussels, Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium

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.

Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research
|

Scientific Employee

Leipzig, Saxony, Germany

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.

Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research
|

Guest Researcher

Leipzig, Saxony, Germany

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.

Border Communities Development Agency
|

NYSC Corps Member

Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

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.

Madaki Agro Services Limited
|

Executive Assistant

Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

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.

Nigerian Montane Forest Project
|

Undergraduate Trainee

Mambilla Plateau, Taraba State, Nigeria

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

Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia

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

Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Brussels, Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium

PhD

Biodiversity and Ecology

Université Libre de Bruxelles, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, and Università degli Studi di Firenze
Brussels, Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium

Joint MA & MSc (Erasmus Mundus)

Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems

Grade: Graduated with great distinction

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University
Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria

B.Tech.

Applied Ecology

Grade: First Class Honors

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

Faecal N:P stoichiometry of African mammalian herbivores.

Published by

Internal co-authors revision stage

Summary

Co-authored paper on the nutrient stoichiometry of mammalian herbivores.

Herbivores and herbicide application control the invasion of Mimosa pigra during vegetation recovery in the Kafue Flats, Zambia.

Published by

In preparation

Summary

Co-authored paper on the control of invasive species in vegetation recovery.

Pollen diversity and stoichiometry influence productivity of Phytoplankton communities.

Published by

iDiv Annual Conference, Leipzig

Summary

Poster presentation on the influence of pollen diversity on phytoplankton productivity.

Grassland trees and the common bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus) promote Afromontane forest restoration.

Published by

Biotropica

Summary

Publication on the role of grassland trees and bird species in forest restoration.

Impacts of tree species and functional traits on bird visitation in a Nigerian montane forest: Implications for conservation.

Published by

Scientific African

Summary

Publication on the influence of tree species and traits on bird visitation in montane forests.

Vegetation analysis of protected and unprotected areas in Sumu Wildlife Park: Implications for biodiversity conservation.

Published by

Biannual conference of Nigerian Tropical Biology Association, Dutse

Summary

Conference paper on vegetation analysis and biodiversity conservation in Sumu Wildlife Park.

Influence of post-dispersal seed predation on forest regeneration in a West African montane landscape.

Published by

NSCB Biodiversity Conference, Uyo

Summary

Conference talk on seed predation and forest regeneration.

Languages

English
Arabic
Hausa
Fulani
French (Basic)

Certificates

Visualizing Geospatial Data in R

Issued By

DataCamp

Biosafety and Risk Assessment Certification Course

Issued By

Department of Prevention and Environment, VUB

Research Posters with Impact

Issued By

The Floor is Yours, Belgium

Sustainability and Gen AI workshops

Issued By

PwC Skills Academy, Belgium

EIE Courses (Stats in R, Data Visualization, Scientific Writing, Literature Synthesis and Reference Management)

Issued By

German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research

Drone-based Remote Sensing Summer School

Issued By

International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society (IGARSS)

Research Methods in Ecology of Urban Mangroves

Issued By

Universitidad de Antioquia, Colombia

Introductory Ornithology Field Course

Issued By

A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute (APLORI)

Field Course in Tropical Ecology and Conservation

Issued By

Tropical Biology Association, Cambridge, UK

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

Projects

Global Zoogeochemistry Working Group

Summary

Steering Committee member contributing to global perspectives on zoogeochemistry research.

Dung Data Depository Project

Summary

Co-led a significant data initiative to compile the largest herbivore dung nutrient database.

Global Restore Project Collaboration

Summary

Initiated and led collaboration between the Nigerian Montane Forest Project (NMFP) and the Global Restore Project (GRP), a global research network.

Ecology Students Forum

Summary

Co-founded and served as pioneer chairman, providing mentorship and resources to undergraduate students in conservation and STEM fields.

International Climate Change Development Initiative

Summary

Volunteered to support the implementation of the SDGs4universities workshop, aligning with United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals Framework.