We are proud to introduce our successful alumna UWAMAHORO Carine works at Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and protection of gorillas and their habitats through daily protection, conducting critical science, education about gorillas and the importance of their conservation as well as training young conservationists, and working with local communities to promote sustainable livelihoods and foster conservation awareness.
Our alumna has expressed her appreciation for the education and experiences she gained at the faculty.: "I chose the master's program in Wildlife Management and Conservation (WMC) at the Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, CZU because of my strong interest in wildlife conservation and management. The program emphasizes sustainable practices and the conservation of biodiversity and natural habitats. It provides students with a comprehensive foundation in ecological sciences and practical skills, preparing them for a rewarding career dedicated to protecting and managing the world's wildlife. Completing this program helped me pursue my career and contribute to conservation efforts in my home country, Rwanda."
You can read the full interview here.
- Name: UWAMAHORO Carine
- Country of origin: Rwanda
- Current job position: Laboratory Research Specialist
- Details about the organization you are working for:
I work at Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and protection of gorillas and their habitats through daily protection, conducting critical science, education about gorillas and the importance of their conservation as well as training young conservationists, and working with local communities to promote sustainable livelihoods and foster conservation awareness.
- How was your stay in the Czech Republic?
I had a great time during my stay in the Czech Republic, which has a rich history, culture, and natural beauty. I particularly enjoyed Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. There are a several fascinating aspects about the Czech Republic that I found enjoyable. I enjoyed the way the local people celebrate their music festivals and cultural events. The Czech Republic is home to several beautiful towns and cities with a wealth of historical significance, as well as stunning natural scenery. In Prague, the historic Old Town is remarkably intact. Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, and the Astronomical Clock are among the attractions visitors enjoy most during their stay in Prague. I also visited Prague Zoo, which offers a blend of natural beauty, educational opportunities, and conservation efforts that appeal to visitors of all ages and interests. It is a place where you can learn about wildlife conservation while enjoying the beauty of nature.
I also really enjoyed my stay at the Laboratory of Veterinary and Medical Protistology and the Laboratory of Parasitic Therapy, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS) in České Budějovice, where I carried out laboratory work for my master's thesis under the supervision of Professor Martin Kváč and Dr. Kateřina Jirků. During several one-week stays in the laboratory, I acquired skills and knowledge in the field of molecular detection and identification of pathogens, including phylogenetic analyses. All this knowledge helped me to write my master's thesis and prepare the draft of the manuscript, which will be soon submitted to a peer-reviewed journal.
I now consider the Czech Republic my second home because I have nice and supportive friends there. They are very kind, and I never had any problems while living and studying in Prague. In addition, the Czech Republic is relatively affordable compared to other western European destinations, making it an accessible option for budget-conscious travelers and students. I highly recommend anyone planning a trip to Europe to make the Czech Republic their first stop, as it is a very attractive country with beautiful scenery.
- Why did you decide to study at the Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences?
I chose the master's program in Wildlife Management and Conservation (WMC) at the Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague because of my strong interest in wildlife conservation and management. The program emphasizes sustainable practices and the conservation of biodiversity and natural habitats. It provides students with a comprehensive foundation in ecological sciences and practical skills, preparing them for a rewarding career dedicated to protecting and managing the world's wildlife. Completing this program helped me pursue my career and contribute to conservation efforts in my home country, Rwanda.
- What do students learn during the WMC master program?
During the WMC master program students get acquainted with principles and techniques aimed at preserving and managing wildlife populations and their natural habitats, namely:
- Conservation biology: understanding the biological principles underlying conservation efforts, such as population dynamics, genetics, and ecological interactions.
- Wildlife Ecology: ecology of wild animals in their natural habitats, including their behavior, habitat requirements, and interactions with other species and the environment.
- Habitat Management: techniques for managing and restoring habitats to support wildlife populations, such as habitat fragmentation, restoration ecology, ecosystem management, and sustainable resource management.
- Conservation Policy and Law: legal and policy frameworks that govern wildlife conservation, including national legislation and local regulations. It explores different solutions and policies that aim toward mitigating the threats wildlife face today, including habitat loss, climate change, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict.
- Wildlife Health and Disease: health problems affecting wildlife populations, including disease transmission, management of wildlife diseases, and veterinary aspects of wildlife conservation.
- Human-Wildlife Conflict: strategies for mitigating conflicts between wildlife and human activities, such as crop damage, livestock predation, and other wildlife interactions.
- Conservation Genetics: application of genetic techniques in conservation biology, including population genetics and genetic management.
- Wildlife Monitoring and Management Techniques: methods for monitoring wildlife populations, including field survey techniques, remote sensing, and data analysis for population assessments.
Graduating with expertise in wildlife management and conservation can lead to careers in wildlife conservation organizations, government agencies, non-profits, research institutions, zoos and educational institutions, and can make you more attractive to employers.
- What did you gain during your time at FTA? Who influenced you the most and why?
- I gained a deep understanding of ecological processes, habitats, and species interactions, crucial for effective wildlife management and conservation efforts.
- I learned a lot about various wildlife species, their behaviors, habitats, and conservation status, which is essential for developing conservation strategies.
- I acquired practical skills in techniques such as genetic work, population monitoring, and wildlife population management critical for conserving biodiversity through fieldwork and laboratory work. WMC offered me opportunities where I could apply my theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, gaining hands-on experience in wildlife research and conservation practices. I got equipped with knowledge and a wide skill set comprising advanced laboratory techniques that are crucial for gorilla and biodiversity conservation in my home country and in our organization.
- Due to my interest in primate parasites and my previous work on mountain gorillas, I choose my master's thesis to be focused on protist infections in mountain gorillas in the Virunga Massif, specifically microsporidia, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium My thesis was supervised by leading experts in ape parasitology: Dr. Klára Petrželková and Professor Martin Kváč from the Institute of Vertebrate Biology in Brno and Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre CAS in České Budějovice, respectively. My research highlighted the One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment for achieving optimal health. This approach is critical for the conservation of mountain gorillas, which are surrounded by a dense human population and intense agricultural activities. During my master's research, I significantly advanced my practical skills in molecular techniques and diagnostic methods and deepened my knowledge of the One Health approach.
- I built connections (networking) with scientists, researchers, professors, and fellow students who share this interest in tropical agriscience, which can be valuable for future collaborations and career opportunities. I attended two conferences at the Czech University of Life Science Prague: Global Biodiversity Conservation Conference 2021 and the 6th European Congress of Conservation Biology in August 2022, where I presented my poster with the results of my master's thesis topic. By attending those conferences, I enjoyed meeting with new researchers and scientists from different countries. I learned a lot from them as they shared their experiences and was inspired by the success of their stories. It was the best way to network with other professionals in my field because you can exchange ideas with each other. I also attended the Wildlife Conservation Network Expo 2022 online. This was a valuable opportunity that would contribute to my professional growth, enhance my research impact, and facilitate networking and collaboration within other scientists or researchers.
- Someone who positively influenced me was my master's thesis supervisor Dr. Petrželková from the Institute of Vertebrate Biology CAS, who consistently encouraged, inspired, and empowered me to set and achieve my academic goals. She also supported my personal growth and development, helping me enhance my skills and knowledge.
What was your favorite subject/who was your favorite teacher at FTA?
My favorite subjects were: molecular ecology, infectious animal diseases, general epizootiology and prevention of animal disease, protected areas management, animal behavior, vertebrate zoology, resource ecology, animal census and monitoring, game ranching, practical of animal handling, sampling and processing, human wildlife conflict, wildlife capture and translocations, antelope use and conservation, and GIS. My favorite teachers at FTA were doc. Ing. Karolína Brandlová, Ph.D. , doc. Francisco Ceacero Herrador, Ph.D., RNDr. Irena Schneiderová, Ph.D. Ing. Radim Kotrba, Ph.D. and Mgr. Martina Komárková, Ph.D.
- Do you have any recommendations for current and future FTA students?
I recommend all current and future students to focus on their studies and follow the advice of their professors.
For international students, it is important to take their studies seriously and secure good funding for studies. I was personally supported by the Wildlife Conservation Network Veterinary Scholarship. I understand that life in Europe can be challenging, and many may be busy searching for jobs to earn a living, but it is crucial to remember the primary reason they are at the FTA. After finishing their studies, I encourage them to return to their home country to share the international experiences they gained abroad with their peers and community members. This can promote understanding and collaboration, positively impacting their home country. Additionally, they should remember the commitment they made during their embassy interview to contribute to their home country after completing their studies. I also would like to strongly encourage female students not to be afraid to pursue their dreams.
I also recommend that the university create a platform to showcase the success stories of individuals who have returned after studying abroad. This can inspire new and future students and demonstrate the possibilities for making significant contributions to their communities or sectors in their home country.
- How did you get involved in your current work?
In 2016, after completing my bachelor's degree in botany and conservation at the University of Rwanda, I was privileged to be accepted for a two-year professional internship at the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. During this period, I contributed to various conservation projects. I learned how to conduct surveys and multiple laboratory techniques used to process, store, and analyze biological samples to answer a wide range of questions in wildlife conservation.
In 2018, I was selected to join a collaborative project aimed at investigating the epidemiology and pathological effects of gastrointestinal helminthiases in mountain gorillas inhabiting the Virunga Massif, which involved the Fossey Fund, Rwanda Development Board, Gorilla Doctors (aka Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project), Institute of Vertebrate Biology, CAS and University of Veterinary Sciences Brno. As a lab coordinator, I was responsible for the storage, processing, and analysis of >1,400 fecal samples, data entry and management and training new interns. During my intensive work with the parasitology expert team from the Czech Republic and all Rwandan stakeholders, we discussed the opportunities for me to continue in my studies to get my master's degree. The Czech team made me aware of WMC master's program at FTA, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague. I applied in January 2020, and I was happy that I was accepted. With the massive support from the Fossey Fund, I have applied for several scholarships to cover fees and life costs to study in the Czech Republic. In August 2020, my son was born. Due to COVID pandemic I could not leave for the Czech Republic and did my first year of master studies online. I was lucky and get awarded scholarship from the Wildlife Conservation Network, which helped financially to cover my stay in the Czech Republic. I was excited and left for the Czech Republic in 2021 and did the second year of my studies in the Czech Republic.
After finishing my master studies in 2022, I returned to Rwanda. In 2023, I started my new job at the Fossey Fund's Ellen DeGeneres Campus as the laboratory research specialist. In the past, most biological samples from gorillas, other monkeys and wildlife needed to be exported to international partner labs for analyses, which was expensive, time-consuming, and getting permit too late had delayed access to results crucial to make effective conservation management decisions. When the Fossey Fund constructed the new Ellen DeGeneres Campus it included state-of-the-art science laboratories for wildlife endocrinology, parasitology, and molecular work, and classrooms for educational programming. This strengthens the country's capacity in wildlife conservation and related fields and allows us to analyze more samples in Rwanda. Working in this new facility enables me to apply my gained laboratory skills to untangle the pressing questions in wildlife conservation, including those related to gorilla health, and provide me the opportunity to share my knowledge and practical skills with many Rwandan and other students and young scientists.
- What are your future plans?
My ambition is to continue working with the Fossey Fund in Rwanda, in protecting gorillas and their natural habitats as a scientist and conservation educator, because I gained a lot from there and the organization helped me to achieve my career goals. I will continue to apply my gained laboratory skills to unanswered questions in wildlife conservation, including those related to gorilla health and apply advanced molecular techniques to study parasites and other infections. I would like to share my knowledge and practical skill with young scientists through training. At the Fossey Fund, we learn a lot from classrooms educational programming, and as researchers we continue to gain and refresh our mind in conservation. I am also thinking to continue in my studies within a Ph.D. program, but I have not decided yet about my topic, supervisor, or university
