Student Profile

Frank is a trained forester with an avid interest in ecological restoration as a means of reversing Malawi’s significant loss of biodiversity, in the face of an increasing population and poverty. His interest developed and grew from the frequent flood and drought events that he experienced first-hand in his home district of Chikwawa. These extreme events were often attributed to disturbances in the ecosystem due to unsustainable resource harvesting practices by local populations. For this reason, he was motivated to enroll in a forestry programme at the University of Malawi (Bunda Campus), where he graduated with a B.Sc. in Forestry with credit, in 2013.

Following his undergraduate studies, he gained six years of experience working in forest management and ecological restoration projects sponsored by the Government of Malawi, World Vision International (Malawi) and Mulanje Mountain Conservation Trust (MMCT). Currently he is associated with the Society for Ecological Restoration, a global organisation dedicated to advancing the science, practice, and policy of ecological restoration, while pursing M.Sc. graduate studies in Biodiversity Informatics, at the Malawi University of Science & Technology (MUST). His recent research interests include the spatial and temporal distribution of invasive species and their impact on the biodiversity of native flora. Based in Mulanje, Frank spends his limited leisure time listening to music, remaining abreast of world current affairs and enjoying time in nature.