Prof. Romulus Abila

E-Mail Address: abila@mmarau.ac.ke

Orcid ID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8762-7153

 

Journals & Publications

  • I am a full professor of environmental biology specialized in freshwater ecology, fisheries and biodiversity conservation. I obtained an honours BSc. in Biological Sciences and an MSc in Ecology from Moi University, Kenya in 1992 and 1995 respectively and a PhD in ecological genetics from Maseno University, Kenya / Universitaat Konstanz, Germany in 2005 undertaken through a German Academic Exchange Programme (DAAD) scholarship. My PhD focused on the role of Lake Victoria satellite lakes in the conservation of Lake Victoria cichlid fish genetic diversity.
  • Since 1993, I have carried out sustained ecological research in wetland ecosystems conservation for sustainable development and fisheries population genetics research that has incorporated local communities and students as integral partners in research. I have worked mainly in the Yala swamp wetland, Kenya’s biggest freshwater wetland.  To date, I have attracted over 19 national and international research grant funding including the BP Conservation Programme, The Ibaraki Kasumigaura Prize, Rufford Small Grant, the COMSTECH – TWAS Joint Research Grant, the Kenya National Council for Science and Technology (Kenya/South Africa Collaborative Research Grant  (Grant No. SAK/2NDCALL/34), the Netherlands Initiative for Capacity Development in Higher Education (NICHE), the British Ecological Society Grant for Scientists in Africa and the National Geographic Society (NGS) Explorers Grant.  At Maasai Mara University I work with students and members of local communities in training on environmental sustainability and in tree planting and Narok town cleaning exercises as part of the Universities’ community engagement and outreach programmes
  • Currently I am the Principal Investigator of the UNESCO – TWAS funded project I am the PI of the ongoing NGS research  Plankton species diversity and population dynamics in a highly fluctuating arid and semi arid tropical freshwater landscape’ The project aims at assessing the spatial and temporal changes in plankton community species diversity, distribution and abundance in ephemeral water bodies in Narok county. This study proposes to asses structure and dynamics of plankton communities in the water pans in Narok in light of changing climatic conditions and land use changes. The goal is to generate empirical data on limnological dynamics of ASAL water bodies and effects of climate change and land use changes on such aquatic ecosystems. Findings from this study may inform policies and sustainable management and utilization of these and similar aquatic resources.

Publications.

Articles in refereed Journals

  • Doryce Ndubi and Romulus Abila Microbial Composition and Abundance in Drinking Water Sources in Narok. Journal of the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO. Vol. 1 (1) 179 – 187. Jan. – June 2021
  • Samwel, M., Abila, R. and Mabwoga, S. (2021) Assessment of Climate Variability in Kisii Kenya and Its Implications on Food Security. American Journal of Climate Change, 10, 386-395. doi: 4236/ajcc.2021.104019.
  • Jilani C. Chiro, Romulus Abila, Aggrey Thuo (2020) Effects of liquid waste management approaches in high end hotels on wastewater quality in Sekenani, Masai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya (2020) American Journal of Water Resources, 2020, Vol. 8 (4), 173-181. http://pubs.sciepub.com/ajwr/8/4/3,
  • E. Barasa, S. Mdyogolo, R. Abila, J. P. Grobler, R. A. Skilton, M. N. Njahira, E. J. Chemoiwa, O. G. Dangasuk, B. Kaunda-Arara and E. Verheyen (2017)   Genetic diversity and population structure of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822) in Kenya: implication for conservation and aquaculture. Belgian Journal of Zoology 147 (2): 105 – 127. https://doi.org/10.26496/bjz.2017.9, 
  •  Chemoiwa E.J.; Abila, R, Njenga, E.W. and Barasa, J (2017) Morphological Characterization and Relationship between Morphometric Parameters and Standard Length in Barbus altianalis (Boulenger, 1904) Populations in Lake Victoria Drainage Basin, Kenya.  Annual Research & Review in Biology, 14(5): 1-11, 2017; Article no.ARRB.31984. ISSN: 2347-565X, NLM ID: 101632869 DOI https://doi.org/10.9734/ARRB/2017/31984.
  • Abila, R. al. (2016). Oil extraction imperils Africa’s Great Lakes. Science, 354 (6312), 561-562. http://science.sciencemag.org/content/354/6312/561,
  • E. Barasa, R. Abila, J. P. Grobler, M. Agaba, E. J. Chemoiwa and B. Kaunda-Arara (2016) High genetic diversity, population structure and evolutionary change in Clariid catfishes of Yala swamp: Evidence from mitochondrial DNA sequences. Journal of Fish Biology, 89(3): 2557 – 2570. doi:10.1111/jfb.13150, www.wileyonlinelibrary.com.
  • J. Paul Grobler, Sinobongo Ndyogolo, James Barasa, Romulus Abila, and Andre F.J. Schlemmer (2015)   Genetic identification of invasive walking catfish C. batrachus intermingled with  African catfish C. gariepinus in South Africa. African Journal of Wildlife Research 45(1): 55–62 (April 2015). https://doi.org/10.3957/056.045.0105
  • J. E. Barasa, R. Abila, P. J. Grobler, G. O. Dangasuk, M. Njahira and B.K. Arara ( 2014) Genetic diversity and gene flow in Clarias gariepinus from Lakes Victoria and Kanyaboli, Kenya. African Journal of Aquatic Science. 39(3): 287–293 http://dx.doi.org/10.2989/16085914.2014.933734
  • Nthenge A and R. Abila (2014) Dammed and Damned? Consequences of large scale land use changes on environment, livelihood and food security in the Yala swamp ecosystem, Kenya, East Africa. Int. Jnl. Adv. Res., 2(3), 1 – 13. ISSN 2320 – 9186.
  • E. J. Chemoiwa, R. Abila, A. Macdonald, J. Lamb, E. Njenga, J. E. Barasa ( 2013) Genetic diversity and population structure of the endangered Ripon Barbel, Barbus altanialis (Boulenger, 1900) in Lake Victoria catchment, Kenya based on mitochondrial DNA sequences. J. Appl. Ichthyol. 29 (2013), 1225 – 1233. doi: 10.1111/jai.12313. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jai.12313/abstract,
  • Abila R, Muthangya M, Mutuku E, Mutati K, Munguti M, Musyoka CM (2012) Physico – chemical and bacteriological quality assessment of shallow wells in Kitui town, Kenya. Env. Sci. Wat. Res 1 (2) 27 – 33.

http://wudpeckerresearchjournals.org/JESWR/Pdf/2012/Mar/Abila%20et%20al.pdf,

  • Abila R (2011) Preliminary gut content and dentition analysis reveal subtle resource partitioning and feeding adaptations within a haplochromine cichlid community of a Lake Victoria satellite lake.  Afr. Jnl. Env. Sc. Tech. Vol. 5(6), pp. 457 – 463. June, 2011.    http://www.academicjournals.org/ajest/PDF/pdf%202011/Jun/Abila.pdf,
  • Paul O. Angienda, Hyuk Je Lee, Kathryn R. Elmer, Romulus Abila, Eliud N. Waindi and Axel Meyer (2011). Genetic structure and gene flow in an endangered native tilapia fish (Oreochromis esculentus) compared to invasive Nile tilapia (Oreochromis  niloticus) in Yala swamp, East Africa. Conservation Genetics. 12:243–255.  DOI 10.1007/s10592-010-0136-2. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10592-010-0136-2,
  • Abila, R, Walter Salzburger, Millicent F. Ndonga, Dickson Otieno Owiti, Marta Barluenga and Axel Meyer (2008) The role of the Yala swamp lakes in conservation of Lake Victoria basin haplochromine cichlids: evidence from genetic and trophic ecology studies. Lakes and Reservoirs: Research Management 13, 95 – 104.   doi:10.1111/j.1440-1770.2008.00366.x, 
  • Abila, R (2005) Biodiversity and sustainable management of a tropical wetland lake ecosystem: A case study of Lake Kanyaboli, Kenya.
  •    FWU – Water Resources Publications 3, 1- 11. www3.uni-siegen.de/fb10/fwu/ww/publikationen/volume0305/pdf/abila.pdf).
  • Cited by Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yala_Swamp.
  • Abila, R,  Marta Barluenga, Johanness Engelken, Axel Meyer and Walter Salzburger (2004)  Population –structure and genetic diversity in a haplochromine cichlid of a satellite lake of Lake Victoria.  Molecular Ecology (2004). 13, 2589 – 2602. www.evolutionsbiologie.uni-konstanz.de/pdf1-182/P163.pdf)
  • Romulus Abila (2002). Utilization and economic valuation of the Yala swamp wetland, Kenya. In: Gawler, M. (Ed.). Best practices in participatory management. Proceedings of a workshop held at the 2nd International Conference on Wetlands and Development, Dakar, Senegal. Wetlands International. PP96 – 104.  IUCN – WWF Publications No 65 Wageningen, The Netherlands. ISBN 90 -1882 – 0084.       ( Available on line at: http://www.iucn.org/themes/wetlands/pdf/DakarProceed1.pdf)

Workshops, Seminars & Conferences

Recent non refereed Conference papers

  • Patrice Moranga Samwel, Romulus Abila and Samson Mabwoga (2021) Assessment of Climate Variability in Kenya and Its Implications on Food Security: The Case of Kisii County, Kenya. Paper presented at the 6th Maasai Mara University International Conference. 28th – 30th June 2021.
  • Mercy Kirumba, Nathan Oyaro, Romulus Abila (2020) Investigating the Utilization and Effectiveness of Water Pans as a Water Harvesting Adaptation Strategy in Narok County, Kenya. Paper presented at the ANSO – CAS – MMU International Conference, Maasai Mara University, Kenya. 4th – 6th September 2019
  • Mercy Kirumba, Romulus Abila, Nathan Oyaro (2020) Diversity of Phytoplankton in Ephemeral Water Pans in Kenya’s ASAL, Narok County, Kenya. Paper presented at the ANSO – CAS – MMU International Conference, Maasai Mara University, Kenya. 4th – 6th September 2019.
  • Evance Ouya, Paul Webala, Romulus Abila, Francis Mburu Promoting Tree Growing for Climate Change Mitigation as a Platform for Public Education and Community Outreach Programme for Environmental Conservation in Narok County. Paper presented at the ANSO – CAS – MMU International Conference, Maasai Mara University, Kenya. 4th – 6th September 2019
  • Yvonne Wambui Githiora, Margaret Awuor Owuor, Romulus Abila, Daniel Olago. Mapping flow of ecosystem services in the Yala swamp wetland ecosystem using the matrix method. Poster/paper presented Great Lakes of the World (GLOW) 9th International Conference, Kisumu, Kenya. 5th – 8th August 2019
  • SELECTED PRESENTATIONS AT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES
  • Romulus Abila (2021) Biodiversity and ecosystem services in the Yala swamp socio-ecological system, East Africa. Paper presented at the Wuhan Forum of World Famous Scientists’ Lecturing in Hubei. Hubei University, Wuhan, China. 11th – 13th October, 2021.
  • Patrice Moranga Samwel, Romulus Abila and Samson Mabwoga (2021) Assessment of Climate Variability in Kenya and Its Implications on Food Security: The Case of Kisii County, Kenya. Paper presented at the 6th Maasai Mara University International Conference. 28th – 30th June 2021.
  • R. Abila (2021) The role of multidisciplinary research and innovation in intervention of societal challenges: Lessons from COVID19. Keynote paper presented at the Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, School of Natural Sciences (SONAS) 2021 Annual Scientific Conference.
  • R. Abila, J. P. Grobler, J. E. Barasa, S. Mdyogolo, E. J. Chemoiwa, O. G. Dangasuk, B. Kaunda-Arara , Walter Salzburger, Axel Meyer and E. Verheyen (2019) MOLECULAR TOOLS AND CONSERVATION OF LAKE VICTORIA BASIN ICHTHYOFAUNAL BIODIVERSITY: PROSPECTS, OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES. Keynote paper presented at the Society of Molecular Biology and Evolution Regional Meeting, Zomba, Malawi. September 18 – 22, 2019.
  • Jilani C. Chiro, Romulus Abila, Aggrey Thuo. Effects of liquid waste management approaches in high end hotels on wastewater quality in Sekenani, Masai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya. Paper presented at the ANSO – CAS – MMU International Conference, Maasai Mara University, Kenya. 4th – 6th September 2019
  • Mercy Kirumba, Nathan Oyaro, Romulus Abila (2020) Investigating the Utilization and Effectiveness of Water Pans as a Water Harvesting Adaptation Strategy in Narok County, Kenya. Paper presented at the ANSO – CAS – MMU International Conference, Maasai Mara University, Kenya. 4th – 6th September 2019
  • Mercy Kirumba, Romulus Abila, Nathan Oyaro (2020) Diversity of Phytoplankton in Ephemeral Water Pans in Kenya’s ASAL, Narok County, Kenya. Paper presented at the ANSO – CAS – MMU International Conference, Maasai Mara University, Kenya. 4th – 6th September 2019.
  • Evance Ouya, Paul Webala, Romulus Abila, Francis Mburu. Promoting Tree Growing for Climate Change Mitigation as a Platform for Public Education and Community Outreach Programme for Environmental Conservation in Narok County. Paper presented at the ANSO – CAS – MMU International Conference, Maasai Mara University, Kenya. 4th – 6th September 2019
  •  Romulus Abila & Margaret A. Owuor (2016) Conservation and Management of the Yala Swamp Wetland for Sustainable Development: An Ecosystem Management Approach. Paper presented at the 2nd International Maasai Mara University Conference. 25th – 26th May, 2016.
  • Yvonne W. Githiora, Romulus Abila, Margaret Awuor Owuor, Daniel Olago Assessment of ecosystem services of the Yala Swamp using the Matrix Approach Tool: An initial step to integrated natural resources management. Poster/paper presented Great Lakes of the World (GLOW) 9th  International Conference, Kisumu, Kenya. 5th – 8th August 2019.
  • International Conference on Blue Economy, Nairobi, Kenya. 26th – 28th November 2018.
  • Southern African Wildlife Management Association (SAWMA) 15th -19th  September 2013. Nombole Mdluli Conference Centre, Skukuza, Kruger National Park, South Africa. Paper presented:  Genetic diversity and population structure of the endangered Ripon Barbel, Barbus altianalis (Boulenger, 1900) in Lake Victoria catchment, Kenya based on mitochondrial DNA sequences.
  • Tropical Biology Association African Alumni Group Conference: “Biodiversity in Africa – Present State, Challenges and Prospects for its Conservation” 2nd – 4th July 2013, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi. Invited session chair and presented paper The Role of ‘Dryland Wetlands’ in Semi Arid Mikuyuni River Catchment in South Eastern Kenya as sources of livelihood.
  • Sustainable Water Management in African Countries Conference.  Maseno University-Kisumu, Kenya. 1st – 3rd October 2012.  Poster presented: Physico – chemical and bacteriological quality assessment of shallow wells in Kitui town, Kenya.
  • International Conference on Food Security and Environmental Sustainability in a World of Changing Climates.  Bondo University College, Kenya. 20th – 23rd February 2011. Paper presented: Harnessing the environmental services and promoting community based conservation in the Lake Kanyaboli Reserve for poverty alleviation and sustainable development.
  • Kenya International Conference on Biodiversity, Land Use and Climate Change. Intercontinental Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya. 15th – 17th September 2010. Posters presented: 1. Ecological Evolution of Lake Sare: The need to develop and manage fisheries resources of the small water bodies in Kenya.  2. Efficacy of effluent treatment by constructed wetlands: the case of Chemomi Tea factory Wastewater Treatment Plant, Nandi South District, Kenya.
  • 3rd British Ecological Society – Tropical Ecology Group Researcher Meeting, Manchester Metropolitan University. 30th  – 31st March 2009.  Paper presented: Trophic relationships in a non Nile Perch impacted  haplochromine community of a satellite lake in Lake Victoria basin, Kenya.
  •  11th World Lake Conference, Nairobi, Kenya.  31st October – 4th November, 2005. Papers presented: Biodiversity and sustainable management of a tropical wetland lake ecosystem: A case study of Lake Kanyaboli, Kenya. AND The role of the Yala swamp lakes in conservation of Lake Victoria basin haplochromine cichlids: evidence from molecular genetic and trophic ecology studies.
  • 3rd International Symposium on Ecological Genetics. Katholiek University, Leuven, Belgium. 5th – 8th February, 2003. Poster presented:
  • Phylogenetic status of haplochromine cichlids of Lake Kanyaboli, Kenya inferred from mtDNA studies.
  • Lake Victoria 2000: A New Beginning International Conference. Jinja, Uganda, 16Th – 20Th May, 2000. Paper presented: Community awareness and utilization of the Yala swamp wetland.
  • International Conference on Science and Sustainable Development of Tropical Waters. Naivasha, Kenya, 11Th  – 16Th April 1999.  Paper presented: Community awareness and Conservation needs of the Yala swamp wetland.
  • 2nd International Conference on Wetlands and Development. Dakar, Senegal, 8Th  – 14Th  November, 1998. Paper presented: Utilization and economic valuation of the Yala swamp wetland, Kenya.

Professional experience

Scientific and Technical Consultancy Reports

  • Romulus Abila (September, 2019) Profile of biological and physical resources and social-ecological impacts along proposed Malindi – Kilifi KETRACO high voltage electricity transmission line: A consultancy report to Africa Waste and Environment Management Centre, Nairobi.
  • Romulus Abila (December, 2019) Profile of biological and physical resources and social-ecological impacts along proposed Machakos – Mwala -Ekalaekela KETRACO high voltage electricity transmission line: A consultancy report to Africa Waste and Environment Management Centre, Nairobi.
  • Romulus Abila (August, 2019) An Initial Environmental Impact Assessment and Audit Report for Emmanuel Educational Centre, Narok.
  • Romulus Abila (May, 2015) Profile of biological and physical resources of the Chyulu Hills. A consultancy report to Africa Waste and Environment Management Centre, Nairobi for the consultancy Kenya Water Towers Agency: development of Community Development Action Plans for Chyulu water towers.
  • Romulus Abila (July, 2014) Development of the environmental monitoring programmes in relation to solid waste to protect the environment. A consultancy report to Africa Waste and Environment Management Centre, Nairobi for the consultancy Provision of Consultancy Services for Review of Kisumu Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan (KISWAMP) For Kisumu City.
  •  Romulus Abila et al., (2014)  Kenya- Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and Aquaculture Sector Labour Market Needs Assessment. Reported of Labour Markets Needs Assessment conducted in collaboration with Q –Point, Netherlands, March 2014.
  • Romulus Abila (2012)  Biodiversity and the Role of ‘Dryland Wetlands’ in Semi Arid Mikuyuni – Mwitasyano River Catchment in South Eastern Kenya as a Source of Livelihood. Report submitted to Rufford Small Grant. April, 2012. Available at:  http://www.rufford.org/rsg/projects/romulus_abila
  • DAAD alumni expert seminar “Integrated Watershed Management for Sustainable Natural Resource Management and Conflict Resolution “ Mbale, Uganda, 04th April 2011 to 14th April 2011. Report available at http://www.gawn.de/seminars/elgon11/Mbale%20seminar%20Summary%20report.pdf.
  • Romulus Abila (2008) Are satellite lakes of Lake Victoria refuges for ‘lost’ tilapia genetic resources?. A Small Ecological Project Grant Report to British Ecological Society. Grant No. 945/1175. http://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/grants/reports/archives.php,
  • Romulus Abila (1998) An evaluation of community utilization, conservation and perception of a Kenyan wetland: A case study of the Yala swamp. Report Submitted to the BP Conservation Programme, UK.
 

 Presentations in popular media

Teaching Modules and Practical Manuals developed

  • Romulus Abila (2020) Research Methods: A Problem based learner centered self study module. Maasai Mara University, 2020
  • Romulus Abila (2020) A Manual of Practical Marine Ecology. Maasai Mara University, 2020
  • Romulus Abila (2020) Tropical Ecology: A Practical Manual. Maasai Mara University, 2020

Awards, Research Grants, Fellowships, Recognitions and Resource Mobilization.

  • November 2021: Awarded The TWAS Research Grant Agreement (RGA) For Individual Scientist No. 21-342 RG/BIO/AF/AC_G – FR3240319519 for the research project ‘Plankton species diversity and population dynamics in a highly fluctuating arid and semi arid tropical freshwater landscape’. Value of grant USD 35,400.
  • June 2021 – Awarded a University of British Columbia Field Work and small equipment grant of USD 13250 for the project ‘Tracking temporal trends in water quality of water pans in the ASAL Narok landscape’.
  • April 2021 – Awarded the Pennsylvania State University Collaborative Research Award for the project ‘Investigating climate and human induced landscape change for improving landscape regenerative capacity in Narok ASAL socio-ecological system’ Value of Award USD 13,520.00
  • June 2020 – August 2021: Awarded a SIDA Fellowship to pursue the course “Sustainable Urban Water and Sanitation – Integrated Processes” (ITP SUWAS 2020 B), financed by the Swedish Government/SIDA. This is a 5 Phase training based in Kenya, Uganda/Zambia and Sweden.
  • April 2018: Awarded the National Geographic Society (NGS) (Grant No. 422C – 18) for the research project Mapping flow of ecosystem services, land use and harnessing of ecosystem service for socio economic development and transformation in the Yala swamp wetland, Kenya. Value of grant USD $ 30,000.
  • November 2015: Awarded the British Ecological Society Ecologists in Africa award (Grant No. 5663/6707) for the research project Assessment of the genetic status of the naturalized rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, Walbaum) in the anthropogenically impacted Mount Kenya drainage system. Value of grant    £ 8,000.
  • 2014: Obtained the South Eastern Kenya University award in recognition of research grant awards 2013-2014 (Certificate awarded and 5000/- cash).
  • 2013:   Awarded The Netherlands Fellowship Programme to undertake the 3 week training course International Training of Trainers on Integrated Water Resources Management. Wageningen UR, Netherlands, 27th May – 14th June 2013.  Value of grant    € 6,121
  • 2012: Awarded The COMSTECH – TWAS Joint Research Grant Programmes for the research project Genetic diversity in the  commercially exploited Lake Victoria ‘sardine’ Rastrineobola argentea (Teleostei, cyprinidae), (Pellegrin, 1904) in Lake Victoria. Value of grant $13,500
  • 2012: Awarded (together with other members of the School of Water Resources, Science and Technology) the Netherlands Initiative for Capacity development in Higher Education (NICHE) Programme for the project Capacity Building to deliver competent human resources in integrated water resource management and aquaculture for equitable and sustainable livelihoods in Kenya’s arid and semi arid lands and beyond. Project NICHE/KEN/158. Value of grant €1.3M
  • 2011: Awarded the Kenya National Council for Science and Technology (Kenya/South Africa Collaborative Research Grant) ) Grant No. SAK/2ND CALL/34) to undertake research on Genetic diversity and Population structure of the African Catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822, Teleostei, clariidae) in Kenya and South Africa. Value of grant Ksh. 1.5M
  • 2011: Awarded the Rufford Small Grant by Rufford Foundation (Grant No. 9875 – 1) to undertake research on ‘Biodiversity and the role of ‘dryland wetlands’ in semi arid Mikuyuni – Mwitasyano river catchment in South Eastern Kenya as a source of livelihood’. Value of grant £ 6,000
  • 2011: Awarded (together with other members of the School of Water Resources, Science and Technology) the Science, Technology and Innovation research grant by the Kenya National Council of Science and Technology to undertake research on ‘Promotion of surface runoff and rainwater harvesting for application in Aquaculture and horticulture development in Kitui District, Kenya’. Value of grant Ksh. 7M
  • 2010: Awarded the South Eastern University College Competitive Research Grant to undertake research on ‘Bacterial analysis of shallow wells water within Kitui Municipality’. Value of grant Ksh. 300,000
  • 2008: Awarded the Swiss National Science Foundation/Swiss Agency for Development Co operation Preparatory Grant (Grant No 1Z69Z0_123732) to visit University of Basel to prepare a grant proposal for the ‘Research Partnership with Developing Countries call for proposals’.
  • 2006: Awarded the British Ecological Society (BES) Small Projects Ecological Grants (SPEG) ( BES Grant No 945/1175) to undertake preliminary studies on the conservation genetics of endangered tilapia fishes from Lake Victoria at the University of Hull, UK. Value of grant £ 2,500
  • 2005: Awarded The Ibaraki Kasumigaura Prize for the outstanding content of paper on lake conservation presented during the 11th World Lake Conference in Nairobi.   Value of grant JPY 300,000
  • 2002: Awarded the DAAD Research Visit Fellowship to undertake 9 months of training/research in evolutionary molecular biology at the University of Konstanz, Germany. (PKZ No. A/02/20914).
  • 1997: Awarded the BP Conservation Programme Award to undertake Socio economic research in the Yala swamp wetlands. Value of grant £ 3,000
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