Our Team
Dr. Hudson Laizer
Board Chairperson
Dr. Hudson C. Laizer is a Lecturer at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) in the School of Life Sciences and Bioengineering. From 2021 to 2024, he served as Head of the Department of Natural Sciences at Mbeya University of Science and Technology (MUST). Dr. Laizer has a rich background in research, having collaborated on projects with leading institutions such as Savannas Forever Tanzania (SFTZ), the University of Minnesota (UoM), the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), and University College London (UCL) where he was the team leader and researcher in projects including the Whole Village Project, Tarangire Lion Research and Poverty and Ecosystem Services Impacts of Wildlife Management Areas (PIMA) Project.
He earned a BSc in Wildlife Management from Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in 2010, MSc and PhD in Life Sciences and Bioengineering from NM-AIST in 2013 and 2021 respectively. His research interests include sustainable and smart agriculture, agroecology, conservation biology, wildlife ecology, restoration ecology, community-based conservation and plant-insect interactions. He has published over 15 peer-reviewed papers, secured more than 11 research grants, and presented at numerous international conferences, including InterSol, NeurIPS, and AfricAI.
As a consultant for the African Wildlife Foundation, he contributed to drafting business plans for the ILUMA Wildlife Management Area and developing a Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) model for Vidunda sub-catchment in 2024. Passionate about emerging technologies, Dr. Laizer leads projects in partnership with TARI, DevData Analytics, and Makerere University AI Lab, focusing on AI and machine learning tools for early pest and disease detection in smallholder farming systems.
He earned a BSc in Wildlife Management from Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in 2010, MSc and PhD in Life Sciences and Bioengineering from NM-AIST in 2013 and 2021 respectively. His research interests include sustainable and smart agriculture, agroecology, conservation biology, wildlife ecology, restoration ecology, community-based conservation and plant-insect interactions. He has published over 15 peer-reviewed papers, secured more than 11 research grants, and presented at numerous international conferences, including InterSol, NeurIPS, and AfricAI.
As a consultant for the African Wildlife Foundation, he contributed to drafting business plans for the ILUMA Wildlife Management Area and developing a Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) model for Vidunda sub-catchment in 2024. Passionate about emerging technologies, Dr. Laizer leads projects in partnership with TARI, DevData Analytics, and Makerere University AI Lab, focusing on AI and machine learning tools for early pest and disease detection in smallholder farming systems.
Mr. Maximilian Tarimo
Board Vice Chairperson
Maximillan Jenes is an experienced conservationist with over 10 years of fieldwork and project management expertise. As a Projects Manager for the PAMS Foundation, he oversees six initiatives across Tanzania, focusing on anti-poaching, conservation education, human-wildlife coexistence and reforestation. His work reflects a deep commitment to protecting wildlife and promoting sustainable community involvement.
Maximillan is a recipient of the prestigious 2014 Young International Conservation Award, recognizing his exceptional contributions to conservation. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Management from Sokoine University of Agriculture. His career journey includes roles as a Project Field Coordinator for the Ruvuma Elephant Project and Assistant Curator at the Natural History Museum, where he engaged in anthropological research at Olduvai Gorge.
Maximillan will bring core skills include intelligence-led anti-poaching operations, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, conservation education and community liaison to the foundation. With strong time management and communication skills, he effectively bridges conservation science and practical field applications. He is also good in Windows applications, including Microsoft Word and Excel and values spending time in nature, traveling, and staying informed about global developments.
Maximillan is a recipient of the prestigious 2014 Young International Conservation Award, recognizing his exceptional contributions to conservation. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Management from Sokoine University of Agriculture. His career journey includes roles as a Project Field Coordinator for the Ruvuma Elephant Project and Assistant Curator at the Natural History Museum, where he engaged in anthropological research at Olduvai Gorge.
Maximillan will bring core skills include intelligence-led anti-poaching operations, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, conservation education and community liaison to the foundation. With strong time management and communication skills, he effectively bridges conservation science and practical field applications. He is also good in Windows applications, including Microsoft Word and Excel and values spending time in nature, traveling, and staying informed about global developments.
Dr. Philipina Shayo
Board Secretary
Dr Philipina is a Lecturer at the Department of Earth Sciences under the College of Science and Technical Education at the Mbeya University of Science and Technology (MUST). She holds a PhD in Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management from Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology; Currently, she is the head of the Department of Earth Sciences at Mbeya University of Science and Technology under the College of Science and Technical Education (CoSTE)
Dr. Filemon Elisante
Treasurer
Dr. Filemon Elisante Mbwambo is a Lecturer and Researcher at the University of Dodoma (UDOM) in the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, Department of Biology. Dr. Mbwambo has a diverse background in the field of biology, having collaborated on research and consultancy projects with various organizations including Tanzania Natural Resource Forum, Tanzania Alliance for Biodiversity, Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, Sokoine University of Agriculture, the University of Copenhagen, Charles Sturt University, and the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF).
He pursued a BSc in Wildlife Management from Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in 2010, MSc in Life Sciences and Bioengineering (Biodiversity Conservation and Management) and PhD in Life Sciences (Biodiversity and Ecosystems Management) both from The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) in 2013 and 2020 respectively. His research interests include but not limited to agroecology, wildlife and forest ecology, management of invasive species, restoration ecology, community-based natural resources conservation and entomology. During his research carrier, he has presented at numerous national and international conferences, organized workshops, and published several papers addressing challenges in natural resources conservation in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Since 2010, he has involved in capacity building in Tanzania by training both undergraduate and MSc. students, farmers, agricultural extension officers, wildlife and forest officers as well as members of local communities particularly those living adjacent to protected areas.
He pursued a BSc in Wildlife Management from Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in 2010, MSc in Life Sciences and Bioengineering (Biodiversity Conservation and Management) and PhD in Life Sciences (Biodiversity and Ecosystems Management) both from The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) in 2013 and 2020 respectively. His research interests include but not limited to agroecology, wildlife and forest ecology, management of invasive species, restoration ecology, community-based natural resources conservation and entomology. During his research carrier, he has presented at numerous national and international conferences, organized workshops, and published several papers addressing challenges in natural resources conservation in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Since 2010, he has involved in capacity building in Tanzania by training both undergraduate and MSc. students, farmers, agricultural extension officers, wildlife and forest officers as well as members of local communities particularly those living adjacent to protected areas.
Ms. Eva Ayaro
Board Member
Before starting the Women in Conservation Organization (WICO) and jumping to support its growth full-time, Eva worked as a Conservation Education Officer at ECOWICE a social enterprise dedicated to wildlife conservation for livelihood improvement. She was selected from over one hundred applicants to participate in three weeks of intensive field-based training at RISE (Research and Innovation in the Serengeti Ecosystem) Ikorongo?Grumeti Game Reserve with the Grumeti Fund. Eva holds a Bachelor's Degree in Wildlife Sciences and Conservation from the University of Dar es Salaam where she focused on conservation work and its role in transforming communities. She had the privilege to conduct conservation-based training in different National parks in Tanzania. She is recently shortlisted as an EDGE Fellow for 2023 - 2025, Women in The Field Fellow and UDSM Alumni.
Dr. Fredrick Ojija
Board Member
Dr. Fredrick Ojija is a Senior Lecturer in Biodiversity Conservation at the Department of Earth Sciences, Mbeya University of Science and Technology (MUST), Tanzania. He currently serves as the Director of Postgraduate Studies, Research, Publications, and Consultancy (since 01st June 2025). Previously, he held several key managerial positions at MUST: Head of the Department of Research and Publications (05th May 2023 – 30th May 2025), Acting Head of the Department of Research and Publications (27th November 2020 – 05th May 2023), and Budget Officer in the Directorate of Postgraduate Studies, Research, and Publications (November 2020 – June 2025). In these roles, he has been responsible for organizing university research seminars, public lectures, research capacity-building programs, and overseeing publications and consultancy initiatives.
Dr. Ojija received his Ph.D. in Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management in 2020 from The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), Arusha, Tanzania, his MSc in Biology-Ecology in 2014 from Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium, and his BSc in Wildlife Science and Conservation in 2009 from The University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Tanzania.
His research focuses on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management, Ecology, Biological Invasions, Plant-Plant Interactions, Insect-Plant Interactions, Pollinator Monitoring, Ecological Restoration, Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, and the Management of Invasive Species. At MUST, he lectures courses in Biodiversity, Ecology, Environment, Zoology, and Research Methods.
Dr. Ojija has received numerous research and conference grants from international and national organizations, including the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) Endangered Species Fund (CBOT ESF), Rufford Foundation, British Ecological Society, Mohamed Bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, La Vallée des Singes Primate Conservation, Wild Planet Trust, Idea Wild, and internal grants from MUST. He also conducted research at the University of Trieste, Italy, through the TWAS-SISSA-Lincei Research Cooperation Visits Programme.
To date, he has published over 70 research articles and seven book chapters in international journals and has supervised more than 20 research projects for Masters and Bachelor students, significantly contributing to research, education, and capacity building in biodiversity and ecosystem management in Tanzania.
Dr. Ojija received his Ph.D. in Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management in 2020 from The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), Arusha, Tanzania, his MSc in Biology-Ecology in 2014 from Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium, and his BSc in Wildlife Science and Conservation in 2009 from The University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Tanzania.
His research focuses on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management, Ecology, Biological Invasions, Plant-Plant Interactions, Insect-Plant Interactions, Pollinator Monitoring, Ecological Restoration, Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, and the Management of Invasive Species. At MUST, he lectures courses in Biodiversity, Ecology, Environment, Zoology, and Research Methods.
Dr. Ojija has received numerous research and conference grants from international and national organizations, including the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) Endangered Species Fund (CBOT ESF), Rufford Foundation, British Ecological Society, Mohamed Bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, La Vallée des Singes Primate Conservation, Wild Planet Trust, Idea Wild, and internal grants from MUST. He also conducted research at the University of Trieste, Italy, through the TWAS-SISSA-Lincei Research Cooperation Visits Programme.
To date, he has published over 70 research articles and seven book chapters in international journals and has supervised more than 20 research projects for Masters and Bachelor students, significantly contributing to research, education, and capacity building in biodiversity and ecosystem management in Tanzania.
Mr. Enoka Munduka
Founder
Enoka Munduka John holds a Bachelor's Degree of Science with Education (Chemistry and Biology) from Mbeya University of Science and Technology and currently is a MSc student at Mbeya University of Science and Technology (MUST) taking a master's of Science in Biodiversity conservation and conduction a research about Assessment of Population size, Distribution and Threats to the Conservation of Rhampholeon acuminatus in Nguru Mountain and is where he focused on conservation work and its role in transforming communities. Before starting the GHF, Enoka has been involved in different research projects, including Saving Wildlife Pollinator from Local Extinction in Mbeya Range Forest Reserve
Mr. Geofrey Mugini
Co-founder
Geofrey Samson Mugini is a dedicated conservationist and researcher specializing in biodiversity conservation and natural resource management. He is a Master student at Mbeya University of Science and Technology (MUST), taking Science in Biodiversity Conservation, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources Conservation, from Mbeya University of Science and Technology (MUST). With a strong academic foundation and hands-on field experience, Geofrey has contributed significantly to environmental conservation efforts in Tanzania. For his undergraduate research, Geofrey conducted a study titled 'Community's Perception of Ecosystem Services and the Conservation of Mbeya Range Forest Reserve, Mbeya', focusing on understanding local communities' perspectives on forest conservation and the ecosystem services provided by the Mbeya Range Forest Reserve. Currently, he is the supervisor of botanical garden at Mbeya University of Science and Technology (MUST).