Dabwiso Sakala
About Candidate
Committed and passionate about biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of natural resources, rural community development and climate change mitigation. Skilled in collecting, analysing, interpreting and communicating statistical results in an efficient and clear format. Considerable experience in large and complex data management and analysis using LPJ-GUESS, ArcGIS, SPSS, R and Climate Data Operator (CDO). Has acquired diverse professional skills through working with Government agencies, local and international NGO’s and local communities.
Education
My research centers on investigating the intricate relationship between biodiversity and sustainable energy transitions, with a particular focus on charcoal production. I am particularly intrigued by the interplay between factors such as energy access, land use change, and biodiversity, and their impact on carbon cycling processes within the context of Africa
I specialize in GIS and conservation, with my Master's in Biodiversity and Conservation focused on the analysis of rainfall variability as a key driver of future human-elephant conflicts in East Africa. Using advanced research methods and projected rainfall data for the period 2021 to 2030, I determined the onset and cessation dates, duration of wet and dry seasons, and the occurrence of droughts in Kenya and Uganda, considering their bimodal rainfall patterns. By integrating factors such as rainfall variation, elephant habitat range, human population density, and land use, I generated conflict predictive maps, highlighting the spatial distribution and intensities of future human-elephant conflicts to aid in effective conservation planning in the face of climate change.
My Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Management provided me with a comprehensive foundation in ecosystem conservation, emphasizing sustainable population growth and the equitable utilization of Zambia's diverse wildlife resources. This program also instilled in me the importance of research and adaptation strategies to enhance wildlife resource resilience in the face of climate change while fostering regional integration through tourism centered around wildlife.
Work & Experience
My role entails the leadership and coordination of conservation research efforts. I am responsible for guiding multidisciplinary research teams in close collaboration with fellow conservation experts to formulate and execute comprehensive strategies that aim to identify and mitigate complex environmental and socioeconomic challenges
In my role as the Principal Researcher for Conservation Projects, I was primarily dedicated to conducting and spearheading conservation research initiatives. This included establishing and leading research teams for elephant monitoring programs in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park (Zambia) and Zambezi National Park (Zimbabwe), as well as overseeing surveys related to above-ground woody biomass and entomological studies in the neighboring forests. Additionally, I played a pivotal role in driving conservation education and literacy programs in partnership with Coventry University.
I provided vital support to the principal researcher by actively participating in data collection on lion cub play behavior. Our focus was to understand the role of play in shaping the hunting skills of lions, contributing to the broader conservation efforts of the organization.
