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Keynote Speakers
Keynote Speakers
Dr Francis Wamonje
Speaker
Dr Francis Wamonje
Speaker
Short Profile
Dr Francis Wamonje is a Research Leader in Entomology at NIAB, East Malling, UK, where he has worked since 2021. His research brings together molecular and applied entomology to develop tools for early pest detection, molecular taxonomy, and large-scale species identification through DNA metabarcoding. His broader interests include plant–insect interactions, the use of ‘omics’ in pest surveillance and biocontrol, and the application of environmental DNA (eDNA) for biodiversity monitoring.
Before joining NIAB, Francis was a Royal Society FLAIR Fellow at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, where he investigated beneficial microbes associated with crop health and pest control. He previously held postdoctoral positions at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, and at the Southern African Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance in Tanzania.
Francis leads and contributes to collaborative research across the UK and Africa. He authors 52 Science Stories, a LinkedIn series that translates agroecology and biodiversity research into accessible insights, and co-convenes the Applied eDNA Network, a community of practice advancing the science and application of eDNA for ecosystem protection and restoration. He holds a PhD in Plant Virology from the University of Cambridge, and BSc and MSc degrees from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
Margaret Awuor Owuor
Speaker
Margaret Awuor Owuor
Speaker
Margaret Awuor Owuor is a conservation ecologist and a National Geographic Explorer. Awuor Owuor’s central research inquiry is exploring how communities use and value ecosystems, their biodiversity, ecological functions and the resulting benefits they provide, and if this understanding of the value of nature can change perceptions and behavior of communities and policy makers in favor of conservation in the face of biodiversity loss and development. She has focused her research on mangroves and freshwater wetlands in Kenya and Brazil and has a keen interest in the integration of science with policy in countries of the Global South. Awuor Owuor involves multiple stakeholders (from local community groups to government institutions) in her work, and uses economic tools and spatial analysis of land cover and land use to develop choices and values of ecosystems. She is a strong believer of diversity and inclusivity in her work.
Awuor Owuor is a one of the lead scientists on the Perpetual Planet Amazon Expedition, where she in collaboration with other explorers conducted the first ever mapping assessment of ecosystem services at the mouth of the Amazon River on the Atlantic coast. The resulting paper in Frontiers, ”Flow of mangrove ecosystem services to coastal communities in the Brazilian Amazon,” highlights the importance of mangrove forests in providing food and cultural services and increasing local climate resilience of villages on the coast of the Brazilian Amazon. Awuor is currently leading Oceans Expedition in the Gambia, Africa.
Awuor Owuor is an Associate Professor of Integrative Biodiversity Conservation Science at the Wyss Academy for Nature and is affiliated with the Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, where she leads a research group working on transdisciplinary studies on ecosystems services, the role of global policy in biodiversity conservation and nature-based solutions for freshwater and arid and semi-arid ecosystem conservation. She previously worked as a Lecturer and Head of Department of Hydrology and Aquatic Science at South Eastern Kenya University. She holds a Ph.D. in Marine and Coastal Management from the University of Cadiz in Spain, and a joint MSc. in Water and Coastal Management from the University of Plymouth, UK, and the University of Cadiz.
Dr. Suresh Kumar Raina
Speaker
Dr. Suresh Kumar Raina
Speaker
Name : Prof. SURESH KUMAR RAINA, MSc. Ph.D.
17, Raina House, Mount Road, Nagpur-440 001 (M.S.), INDIA. Mobile +91 97304 88882
Office Address : Centre of Sericulture & Bioresource Management Research (CSBR), RTM Nagpur University, Ambavihar, Nagpur-440 022, (Maharashtra), India. Email: sraina17@rediffmail.com;
Date of Birth : June 17, 1949, Nagpur, India; Citizenship: INDIAN; Sex: Male; Marital status: Married
Language known : English, Sanskrit, Hindi/Urdu, Kashmiri, Marathi, Kiswahili, French, and Spanish.
Education: MSc., PhD, Entomology/Cytogenetic & Endocrinology (1969-1974) RTM Nagpur University, India
• Graduate Courses Electron Microscopy; Animal Tissue Culture & Microbial Genetics, Saskatchewan University, Saskatoon, Canada (1977-1979)
• Post-Doctoral. Research: Agriculture Canada Research Station , Saskatoon & Montana Bozeman, US (1977-1980)
• Languages and Computer Courses (1974-2000)
• Fellowships: Rotary International Fellowship, Illinois, USA (1977-78) and
• National Research Council Fellowship, Canada (1978-80).
Work Experience: Thirty five years (35) Post-Graduate( M Sc/PhD) teaching experience and Fifty Three (53)Years Research and Rural development experience (India, Africa, NENA, Near East, Canada and USA) on livelihood improvement through income generation technologies.
• 1990-2017. 50,000 + farmers from 26 African countries were provided training, infrastructure and marketplaces.
• Guidance: M Sc (95) M Phil (7) students in biological sciences.
• Thirty- (32) PhD students (from India, China, Kenya, Sudan, Burkina-Faso Uganda, Cameroon, Ghana, Congo, Ethiopia, United Kingdom, Nigeria, Liberia) in Biological Sciences )
• 6 Postdoctoral (from Sudan, Madagascar, India and Kenya) on Locust bio-control sericulture and apiculture.
• Established tissue culture laboratories in Agriculture Canada, Research Station Saskatoon (1977-80) and Dept. of Zoology, Nagpur University, Nagpur, India. (1986-1990)
• Established The Centre of Sericulture & Bioresource Management Research, Nagpur University (1986-till date)
• Developed Post-Harvest processing & packaging facilities for the products of sericulture, mushrooms and apiculture
• Established first African OIE accredited Bee-health laboratory at ICIPE, Nairobi, Kenya, through EU, Swiss Core and IFAD funding (2015).
• Established twenty (20) local and International silk and honey Marketplaces and quality control labs for African, NENA region and Indian farmers
• International Consultant / Advisor (1990-2027) for IFAD, FAO, UNDP GEF, WTO, IDB, OPEC, UNDP, EU, SAARC International & RTM Nagpur University
• Research Projects: Successfully accomplished and Ongoing from 1982 to 2026in India, Canada, Africa and NENA Region ranging from US$ 400 to 18 Million for livelihood skill development of farmers and on job training to post-graduates
• Small Grants (1999- 2017): from US$ 50 to 150 thousand for African farmers received from over 13 International donors including World Bank, UNDP, US etc.,
• Awarded: Moghe's Gold Medal in MSc. Zoology -1971,
Post Doctoral Fellowship from USA and Canada -1977-1980
World Bank Finalist Award on Marketplace Development -2002
Mwingi Africa honey marketplace received 1st Prize in Biofach Fair in Germany -2010
EMPLOYMENT :
1971-86: Lecturer/Reader Dept. of Zoology, Nagpur University, India
1987-90: Research Professor Centre for Sericulture and Biological Pest
Management Research, Nagpur University and IDRC, Canada
1990-1999: Senior Research Scientist, Biological Control, Locust Research Programme and Commercial Insects Unit of ICIPE, Nairobi. Kenya
1999-2017: Principal Research Scientist and Programme Leader, Head Environmental Health Division, ICIPE
2019 till date: International Technical Adviser to Nagpur University & SAARC International, for partnerships, fund raising, teaching and training post graduates and farmers.
2026: Three On Job Training Programme (OJT) conducted at CSBR in sericulture, apiculture & mushroom skill development (76 Masters Students from various colleges).
PUBLICATIONS: Over 135 Research Papers (1972-2026) in Insect Behaviour, Bio-control, Climate change, Genetics, Taxonomy, Endocrinology, livelihoods and Agricultural Sciences.
o Five Research Books (1992-2017) in Sericulture, Apiculture and Forest Conservation and Sericulture, Apiculture Guide in seven languages.
o Ten Research Workshop Proceedings (1998-2014)
o Over Thirty five Project Reports Major Research Grant (1984-2024)
o 3 Research Projects in the active pipeline with EU & Central & State Govt. Of India
o (Books in Press 2027) 1. Ecological Crises & Mitigation: Green Economy and Skill Development
2. Bio-designed silkworm lines for spider silk and human collagen.
G A M E S: Chess, Swimming, Marathon runner, Badminton and Hockey
Prof Rob Marchant
Speaker
Prof Rob Marchant
Speaker
Prof Rob Marchant has a passion for understanding and unravelling the links between societies, environments and ecosystems across the tropics, and particularly on African mountains. As much of his research is focused in East Africa, he has developed close collaborations with the numerous University, NGO, UN and Governmental institutions (such as the National Museums of Kenya) that have resulted in many joint projects, publications and continued professional and organisational development. He is a Fellow of the African Academy of Science; the scientific society developing African science. He is a member of the Scientific Leadership Council for the Mountain Research Initiative; a multidisciplinary scientific organization that addresses global change issues in mountain regions around the world where he helps coordinate their Mountain Socioecological Futures working group. Rob Marchant has co-authored more than 300 articles, a sole authored book on the Future sustainability of East Africa and has contributed to IPCC and IPBES reports, on Mountains and Africa respectively. Through his work he strives to enhance opportunity, build collaborations, innovations and impact to support development agenda and to deal with the challenges around changing climate and their impact on our ecosystems and societies. Numerous deep-rooted collaborations with University, NGO and Governments Departments in numerous countries across the Global South. At the University of York Rob Marchant is currently research lead for the Valuing Voices project - a Wellcome Trust initiative to support international research partnerships and to ensure these are equitable and just as possible. At the University of York is also co-lead for the Resilient Socioecological Futures theme at the York Environmental Sustainability Institute.
David R. Braun
Speaker
David R. Braun
Speaker
David R. Braun is an archaeologist interested in the evolution of human behavior. He has directed field research in eastern and southern Africa for over 25 years. He is currently a professor of Anthropology at George Washington University. His research focuses on the evolutionary consequences of tool used for the past 3 million years. He was a two-time Fulbright Fellow in Kenya and an affiliate of the National Museums of Kenya for decades Dr. Braun as co-directed the Koobi Fora Research and Training Program with the National Museums of Kenya since 2010. This program is the longest running field training program of its kind and has trained over 600 students. Dr. Braun ha published over 120 articles and several books on archaeology of human origins.
Dr. Jogesh Deuri
Speaker
Dr. Jogesh Deuri
Speaker
**Dr. Jogesh Deuri**
1. Dr. Jogesh Deuri is a renowned sericulture expert from Assam, India, widely celebrated for his pioneering contributions to the silk industry, particularly Eri silk. In early 2026, he gained national prominence after being conferred with the Padma Shri, one of highest civilian awards, for his work in the field of Sericulture. As a visionary scientist and the Retired Director of Sericulture in the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), Assam, he has redefined the landscape of India’s silk industry.
2. Born on May 1, 1961, in a serene district of Assam, he grew up amidst the rich natural heritage of the region, which would later inspire his lifelong commitment to sericulture. He pursued his M.Sc. from Gauhati University, Assam, where his academic brilliance began to take shape. His passion for silk science led him to earn a Post Graduate Diploma in Sericulture (P.G.D.S.S.) from CSR&TI, Berhampore under the Central Silk Board, West Bengal. To further refine his expertise, he underwent advanced training in cocoon technology at the Sericultural Research Institute of Liaoning Province, P.R. China, gaining international exposure in cutting-edge sericultural techniques. His highest degree is Ph.D. from USTM, Meghalaya and Doctor of Literature (D.Litt). Honoris Causa specialising in Sericulture from British National University of Queen Mary (United Kingdom – United States of America).
3. Dr. Deuri is Eri silk pioneer – credited with modernizing traditional Eri silk rearing methods. He is a strong advocate for Eri silk “Ahimsa” or non-violent silk, viewing it as a sustainable future for Assam’s economy and rural youth.
Dr. Deuri spearheaded the establishment of the Bodoland Silk Park at Kokrajhar. This facility serves as a comprehensive hub featuring a cocoon bank, spun mill, printing unit, knitting plant and pupae processing unit.
In 2013, he played a leading role in establishing the world’s first wild Muga sanctuary.
Dr. Deuri served for over three decades in the Sericulture Department and is the former Director of Sericulture for the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC).
He launched the observance of “Eri Day” (celebrated on May 1) in 2019 to honor the silk’s heritage and its connection to the tribal communities of the Northeast.
One of his most revolutionary contributions to Indian sericulture lies in his innovative transformation of Eri silkworm rearing practices, by adoption of Tapioca (cassava) plants.
4. His work has extended far beyond Assam, inspiring change nationally and internationally. He has represented India in more than 25 countries including China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Italy, Switzerland, UK, France, USA, Austria, UAE, Cambodia, Bhutan, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka. His cross-border knowledge transfer has positioned Assam’s Eri and Muga silk on the global stage.
5. Dr. Deuri has been recognized for his impact on rural livelihoods and agricultural research – Padma Shri (2026) for distinguished service in Agriculture (Sericulture); Assam Gaurav (2023) Conferred by the Government of Assam for his outstanding contribution to the Sericulture sector; Mahatma Gandhi Samman Award at British Parliament House of Commons, London, International Icon Award, Icons of Indian Business Excellence Awards, etc.
Dr. Mwangi Githiru
Speaker
Dr. Mwangi Githiru
Speaker
The Chief Conservation Officer at Wildlife Works Ltd. He is responsible for evaluating biodiversity and social impacts of Wildlife Works’ REDD+ (carbon) projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America. In addition, he is leading the development of a biodiversity stewardship unit methodology and project line. He has a keen interest in ecological economics and public policy and is involved with various national policy processes involving REDD+ and biodiversity credits, including Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), safeguards and benefit sharing mechanisms. Mwangi is an ecology, biodiversity, and conservation policy expert with a DPhil. in Zoology from the University of Oxford, UK, where he was a Rhodes Scholar. He has also successfully completed a three-year post-doctorate from the University of Antwerp, Belgium, under the Marie Curie Fellowship programme. He is a Watson International Scholars of the Environment Program Fellow, as well as an Archbishop Tutu African Leadership Fellow and Kinship Conservation Fellow.
