Our field projects are bringing together a diverse team of academic researchers, community organizers, and government officials specializing in fields ranging from biology to sociology, economics to public health. So far our efforts span four countries and two continents, with BHL program researchers and staff working in the field and at universities in Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, California, Massachusetts, and Georgia.
Faculty and US-based Staff
Justin Brashares, PhD, Principal Investigator (PI), Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management (ESPM), University of California, Berkeley
Craig Cohen, Collaborator, University of California, San Francisco
Rachel Endicott, Program Manager, University of California, Berkeley
Lia Fernald, PhD, Co-PI, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley
Louise Palmer Fortmann, PhD, Co-PI, ESPM, University of California, Berkeley
Wayne Getz, PhD, Collaborator, ESPM, University of California, Berkeley
Claire Kremen, PhD, Co-PI, ESPM, University of California, Berkeley
Samuel Myers, PhD, Collaborator, Harvard University School of Public Health
Matthew Potts, PhD, Co-PI, ESPM, University of California, Berkeley
Daniel P. Schrag, PhD, Collaborator, Harvard University Center for the Environment
Candice Youngblood, Administrative Assistant, University of California, Berkeley
Postdocs and Graduate Students
Kathryn Fiorella, PhD Candidate, ESPM, University of California, Berkeley; Kenya Research Team
Erika Gavenus, MS student, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley; Kenya Research Team
Chris Golden, PhD, MPH, Post-doctoral Researcher, Harvard University Center for the Environment; Madagascar Research Team
Nyeema C. Harris, Ph.D., Post-doctoral Researcher, ESPM, University of California, Berkeley; Ghana Research Team
Ryan Marsh, PhD Student, ESPM, University of California, Berkeley; Madagascar Research Team
Erin Milner, MS student, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley; Kenya Research Team
Katy Seto, PhD Candidate, ESPM, University of California, Berkeley; Ghana Research Team
Lauren Withey, PhD Student, ESPM, University of California, Berkeley; Ghana Research Team
Undergraduate Students
Danamona Holinirina Andrianarimanana, Field Research Assistant, Harvard University; Madagascar Research Team
Veronica Chew, Undergraduate Research Apprentice, University of California, Berkeley; Kenya Research Team
Esther Chung, Undergraduate Research Apprentice, University of California, Berkeley; Kenya Research Team
Troy Hodges, Undergraduate Research Apprentice, University of California, Berkeley; Kenya Research Team
Maneet Kaur, Undergraduate Research Apprentice, University of California, Berkeley; Kenya Research Team
Field Staff
In Kenya:
David Achacha, RECH Enumerator, Organic Health Response
Mary Jane Achieng, Data Team, Organic Health Response
Janet Iwino, Data Team, Organic Health Response
Jackline Atieno Luware, RECH Enumerator, Organic Health Response
Brian Mattah, Data Manager, Organic Health Response
Vallary Migawi, Data Team, Organic Health Response
Abdi Odhiambo, Community Mobilizer, Organic Health Response
Wilson Oketch Ogutu, RECH Enumerator, Organic Health Response
Maureen Okeyo, RECH Enumerator, Organic Health Response
Dan Omollo, Research Manager, Organic Health Response
Ruth Omondi, Assistant Team Leader, Organic Health Response
Julius Owanj, RECH Enumerator, Organic Health Response
Silvance, Organic Health Response
In Madagascar:
Evelin Jean Gasta Anjaranirina, Local Research Director, Madagascar Research Team
Rasolofonianina Be Jean Rodolph, Project Manager, Environmental and Public Health Surveys; Lead Researcher, Makira and Pica Projects, Madagascar Research Team
Dr. Dera, Medical Inspector, Maroantsetra Public Hospital; Madagascar Research Team
Dr. Herlyne Ramahintianarivo, Director of Health Partnerships, Madagascar Ministry of Health; Madagascar Research Team
In Ghana:
M. K. Sam, Project Liaison, Ghana Wildlife Division
Partners
Family AIDS Care and Education Services (FACES), Western Kenya and Nairobi
An HIV/AIDS care and treatment program operated jointly by the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and the University of California-San Francisco (UCSF), FACES has provided key support for and consultation with BHL researchers working on Mfangano Island, Kenya.
Ghana Forestry Commission, Wildlife Division
Our research in Ghana is based out of the local headquarters of the Ghana Wildlife Division in Larabanga, which offers office, lab and meeting space, a full range of support and communication services, and assistance in community-based research and management efforts.
Kenya Medical Research Institute
KEMRI is the national body responsible for carrying out health research in Kenya and provides invaluable advice and consultations to the RECH project on Mfangano Island.
Madagascar Health and Environmental Research (MAHERY)
Makira Protected Area, Madagascar
Organic Health Response, Ekialo Kiona Center (OHR-EK), Kenya
BHL research on Mfangano Island, Kenya is hosted by OHR-EK, whose staff is instrumental to field research studies, community communication, and local capacity building efforts.
Shamba Maisha, Kenya
Shamba Maisha is supporting efforts to increase agricultural yields on Mfangano Island, Lake Victoria, and has graciously contributed several livelihoods measures for adaptation at the Kenya BHL project site.
University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Global Health Sciences
UCSF Global Health Sciences faculty, staff and students have provided vital support and collaboration on BHL research initiatives in Western Kenya.
Wildlife Conservation Society, Madagascar Program
Funders
Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) grant through the United States Agency for International Development to our Kenyan partners.