Ridwan Jaafar

Leads content development and program coordination for Embrace the Earth Europe, focusing on environmental resource creation and strategic program delivery.

• 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.

Spearheaded strategic research initiatives and project development for forest landscape restoration, driving conservation outcomes and community engagement.

• 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.

Conducted advanced research in Biodiversity and Ecology, securing significant funding and contributing to academic instruction and mentorship.

• 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.

Contributed to environmental research through lab analysis, data processing, and academic instruction at a leading research institution.

• 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.

Performed comprehensive research on aquatic ecosystems, collecting and analyzing data to assess environmental impacts on water quality.

• 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.

Completed national youth service, supporting planning and intergovernmental relations for community development initiatives.

• 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.

Provided executive support, conducting research and drafting briefing notes to identify growth and expansion opportunities across the agricultural value chain.

• 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.

Assisted in critical data collection and research projects, contributing to international conservation initiatives.

• 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.

Synthesized complex policy documents to support stakeholder engagement and facilitate management planning for ecological conservation.

• 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.

Steering Committee member contributing to global perspectives on zoogeochemistry research.

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

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

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

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

Awarded €4,790 for mobility.

Received scholarship totaling approximately €40,000.

Sponsored for an intensive field ecology course in Botswana.

Recognized as the best graduating student in BTech Applied Ecology.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Conference talk on seed predation and forest regeneration.