Giovana Cioffi | Environmental Conservation | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Giovana Cioffi | Environmental Conservation | Best Researcher Award

Giovana Cioffi at São Paulo State University, Brazil

Summary:

Giovana Cioffi is a dedicated environmental researcher with a strong background in biodiversity conservation and community participation in environmental governance. Currently a Ph.D. student at São Paulo State University (UNESP), her research spans coastal and marine protected areas, focusing on sustainable development and community-based management. Her academic journey has taken her across Brazil and Europe, where she has contributed to projects aimed at mitigating the impacts of oil exploitation and enhancing conservation efforts in coastal regions.

Professional Profile:

👩‍🎓Education:

Ph.D. Exchange (10/2022 – 07/2023): Giovana Cioffi conducted her Ph.D. exchange at the Integrated Management of Coastal Areas Research Group at the University of Cádiz (UCA), Cádiz, Spain. Her thesis focused on an ecosystem-based approach for public participation in the Bahía de Cádiz Natural Park. She was supervised by Ph.D. Prof. Javier García Sanabria and co-supervised by Ph.D. María de Andrés García. This research was funded by The Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (Capes), Ministry of Education, Brazil.

Ph.D. in Biodiversity of Coastal Environments (03/2021 – Present): São Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil. Her thesis explores the role of community participation in environmental governance, particularly in relation to the impacts of oil exploitation on sociobiodiversity conservation. Supervised by Ph.D. Prof. Davis Gruber Sansolo, this research is also funded by Capes.

Master’s Degree in Social Change and Political Participation (03/2019 – 03/2021): University of São Paulo (USP), Brazil. Her thesis analyzed sustainable use in protected areas through the lens of Community-Based Tourism in the Picinguaba Traditional Community, Ubatuba, São Paulo. Supervised by Ph.D. Prof. Sidnei Raimundo and co-supervised by Ph.D. Prof. Davis Gruber Sansolo.

B.Sc. in Biology (2013 – 2017): São Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil. Her undergraduate thesis focused on planning public use in Marine Protected Areas, specifically analyzing the Marine State Park of Laje de Santos, São Paulo. Supervised by Ph.D. Prof. Davis Gruber Sansolo.

🏢 Professional Experience:

Academic Internship (07/2023): Coastal and Ocean Systems Research Group, University of the Azores, Portugal. She contributed to a scientific paper on co-management for sustainable marine protected areas, and worked on participatory marine spatial planning for Graciosa Island as part of the MSP4Bio project funded by the EU’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Program.

Researcher (04/2021 – 09/2022): Foundation for Scientific and Technological Development in Health (FIOTEC), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She contributed to the Environmental Education Project of Costa Verde, aimed at mitigating the impacts of oil exploitation on coastal communities in Brazil.

Consultant (05/2022 – 07/2022): Participatory Management of Protected Areas, Juruá Institute, Amazonas, Brazil. She designed management structures with a focus on participatory approaches for protected areas in the Amazon Rainforest.

Scholarship Professor (03/2021 – 07/2021): São Paulo State University, São Vicente, Brazil. She taught Environmental Sanitation to undergraduate biology students.

Environmental Consultant (2018 – 2021): Worked with organizations such as the SOS Mata Atlântica Foundation and Linha d’Água Institute, providing expertise on community-based tourism, sustainable use of natural resources, and social inclusion in protected areas.

Research Interests:

Giovana Cioffi’s research interests focus on biodiversity conservation, community-based tourism, participatory management in protected areas, and the socio-environmental impacts of oil exploitation on coastal communities. Her work emphasizes the integration of local communities into environmental governance and sustainable development in marine and coastal ecosystems.

Author Metrics:

Research Contributions: Published research on community participation in environmental governance, sustainable tourism, and protected area management.

Ongoing Projects: Participating in multiple international research collaborations, including the EU’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Program.

Publications: Authored and co-authored several papers on biodiversity conservation, environmental governance, and socio-environmental issues in coastal and marine protected areas.

Top Noted Publication:

“Carta Aberta-Parcerias em Áreas Protegidas: por uma gestão pública democrática e plural”

  • Authors: A Simon, A Cunha, C Rodrigues, CC Lemos, DLB Silva, DC Martins, G Cioffi, et al.
  • Journal: Revista Brasileira de Ecoturismo
  • Volume/Issue: 13(2)
  • Pages: 435-441
  • Year: 2020
  • Citations: 7

“Áreas naturais protegidas: uma reflexão sobre a patrimonialização da natureza pela sociedade ocidental”

  • Authors: G Cioffi, S Raimundo
  • Journal: Caderno Virtual de Turismo
  • Volume/Issue: 20(2)
  • Pages: 1-11
  • Year: 2020
  • Citations: 3

“Áreas naturais protegidas: Uma reflexão sobre a patrimonialização da natureza pela sociedade ocidental”

  • Authors: GC Nascimento, S Raimundo
  • Journal: Caderno Virtual de Turismo
  • Volume/Issue: 20(2)
  • Pages: 1-11
  • Year: 2020
  • Citations: 3

“O uso público sustentável em áreas protegidas: uma análise do turismo de base comunitária do território tradicional caiçara de Picinguaba”

  • Authors: GC Nascimento
  • Institution: University of São Paulo
  • Year: 2021
  • Citations: 2

“Assessing stakeholder participation in coastal zone management: Methodological proposal and its application in a case study from Cádiz Bay, Andalusia (Spain)”

  • Authors: G Cioffi, JG Sanabria, DG Sansolo, C Pegorelli, M de Andrés
  • Journal: Ocean & Coastal Management
  • Volume: 255
  • Article: 107214
  • Year: 2024

Kun Shi | Wildlife Conservation | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Kun Shi, Wildlife Conservation, Best Researcher Award

Doctorate at Eco-Bridge Continental, Beijing, China

Summary:

Dr. Kun Shi is a distinguished figure in the field of wildlife conservation, holding key positions and actively contributing to various organizations and committees. His professional journey reflects a strong commitment to ecological research, wildlife protection, and environmental advocacy. Dr. Shi has extensive academic experience, including serving as Chief Scientist at Eco-Bridge Continental, Beijing, and holding leadership roles at the Wildlife Institute, Beijing Forestry University. His notable contributions extend to professional associations, committees, and advisory roles, showcasing his dedication to wildlife preservation and environmental sustainability.

Professional Profile:

👩‍🎓Education & Qualification:

B.Sc. degree at the Department of Forest Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China (1979.9-1983.7)

MSc. degree at the Department of Environment and Resources Science, the Graduate School of Agriculture Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan (1994.4-1996.3)

Ph.D. degree at the Department of Environment and Resources Science, United Graduate School of Agriculture Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan (1997.4-2000.3)

Academic Experience:

Dr. Kun Shi is an accomplished professional with extensive experience in the field of wildlife conservation and ecology. Currently serving as the Chief Scientist at Eco-Bridge Continental in Beijing, a non-profit organization committed to environmental sustainability, Dr. Shi has been contributing significantly to the organization since January 2023.

Prior to his current role, Dr. Shi held the position of Director of The Wildlife Institute and Professor at the School of Ecology & Nature Conservation at Beijing Forestry University from January 2016 to December 2022. His responsibilities included leading academic initiatives and research projects in the field of wildlife and nature conservation.

Dr. Shi’s academic journey at Beijing Forestry University started in May 2006 when he joined as an Associate Professor & Chief Scientist at the Wildlife Institute. During his tenure, he made substantial contributions to both teaching and research in the domain of wildlife studies.

Before joining Beijing Forestry University, Dr. Shi gained valuable international research experience. He served as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit at the University of Oxford, UK, from April 2005 to April 2006. Additionally, he worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Department of Environmental Sciences, National Research Centre of Grassland, Japan, from January 2005 to March 2005, and as a Key Project Researcher at the Department of Grassland Ecology, National Research Centre of Grassland, Japan, from January 2000 to December 2004.

Dr. Shi’s early career involved various roles related to forestry and conservation in China. He served as a Project Officer at the Forest Conservation Division, Forestry Department of Jilin Province, from January 1989 to March 1992, and later as a Project Manager from June 1986 to December 1988. His career in research began as a Research Associate at the Department of Nature Sciences, Museum of Jilin Province, China, where he worked from August 1983 to May 1986.

Throughout his career, Dr. Kun Shi has demonstrated a strong commitment to environmental conservation, wildlife research, and academic leadership, making valuable contributions to the field.

Professional Associations:

Dr. Kun Shi is actively involved in various professional associations and expert committees, showcasing his dedication to wildlife conservation and environmental protection. His extensive engagement includes roles in academic institutions, conservation organizations, and advisory committees. Here is a summary of his professional associations and committee memberships:

Steering Committee Member of Snow Leopard Network (SLN-SC, 2015-2017).

Visiting Professor, College of Wildlife Resources, Northeast Forestry University (2015-2017).

Secretary-General – The China Cats Specialist Group of China Mammalogical Society.

Member of IUCN Cat Specialist Group (Cat SG).

Member of IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA).

Member of IUCN Education and Communication Committee (CEC).

Academic Visitor of Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, University of Oxford (2013-2018).

Technical Advisor of Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) Project, Department of Wildlife Protection, State Forestry Administration (2013-2019).

Member of the Expert Group on China’s Implementation of the United Nations Instrument on Forests.

Member of Qilian Mountain National Park Expert Group.

Member of the Expert Group of Hainan National Park Research Institute.

Member of the Expert Thinktank of Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park.

Chief Expert of Everest Snow Leopard Conservation Center.

Chairman of the Asian Elephant Conservation Expert Committee, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, China (2022-present).

Member of the Hainan Gibbon Conservation Expert Committee, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, China (2023-present).

Chairman of the Expert Committee on Prevention and Control of Wild Boar Damage, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, China (2022-present).

Dr. Kun Shi’s active participation in these organizations and committees underscores his leadership and expertise in the conservation and protection of wildlife and natural ecosystems.

Publication Top Noted:

Dr. Kun Shi has been actively involved in various research projects, contributing to publications in renowned journals. Here are some recent publications where Dr. Shi is listed as an author:

Title: “Is there scope for growth? Mapping habitat suitability for Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) across its range in China”

  • Authors: Chen, Y., Ding, N., Sun, Y., Shi, K., Dudgeon, D.
  • Journal: Global Ecology and Conservation, 2023, 47, e02665

Title: “New records of the Endangered Helan Shan pika Ochotona argentata, with notes on its natural history and conservation”

  • Authors: Lambert, J.P., Li, J., Li, Y., Hou, X., Shi, K.
  • Journal: ORYX, 2023, 57(5), pp. 581–584

Title: “MaxEnt Modeling for Predicting Suitable Habitats of Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) in the Mid-Eastern Tianshan Mountains”

  • Authors: Gong, J., Li, Y., Wang, R., Fan, J., Shi, K.
  • Journal: Journal of Resources and Ecology, 2023, 14(5), pp. 1075–1085

Title: “Mapping crop damage by wild boars using multi-scale risk modeling in Northeast China”

  • Authors: Ding, N., Atzeni, L., Chen, Y., Lyu, Z., Shi, K.
  • Journal: Journal of Wildlife Management, 2023, 87(6), e22418

Title: “Landscape resistance to gene flow in a snow leopard population from Qilianshan National Park, Gansu, China”

  • Authors: Atzeni, L., Wang, J., Riordan, P., Shi, K., Cushman, S.A.
  • Journal: Landscape Ecology, 2023, 38(7), pp. 1847–1868

Research Area:

Wildlife Conservation

Habitat Mapping

Human-Wildlife Conflict

Landscape Ecology