Hello! I'm Dr. Lalisa Duguma, a passionate Ecosystem Restoration Scientist and Innovation Manager with 15+ years of progressive experience in ecosystem-based adaptation, nature-based solutions, and sustainable landscape management across Africa and beyond. I leverage cutting-edge research, technical design, and community-led approaches to address climate change challenges and build resilient ecosystems.
I am highly passionate about applying scientific innovation to solve real-world environmental challenges and support sustainable development goals through community-led ecosystem restoration.
Current Role: Innovation and Technical Quality Manager - Community Led Ecosystem Restoration
Organization: Global Evergreening Alliance, Melbourne, Australia
Email: [email protected]
This section features a collection of my major research projects, technical reports, and scientific contributions that have shaped ecosystem restoration strategies across multiple countries. Feel free to explore, and don't hesitate to reach out with any thoughts, questions, or feedback!
Led the technical implementation plan development for the largest community-led land-based carbon removal and resilience building program in Africa, reaching over 1 million smallholder farmers across Kenya, Uganda, and Malawi. This ~$70 million USD initiative represents a groundbreaking approach to climate action.
[View Technical Documentation] | [Implementation Guide]
Principal investigator for this $2.18 million USD Green Climate Fund project developing a climate-resilient, natural resource-based economy. The work provided scientific foundation for The Gambia's national adaptation strategy and community-based ecosystem management.
[View Project Details] | [Link to Technical Report]
Co-edited this comprehensive publication examining sustainable approaches to tree-based economies across Africa. The work provides evidence-based insights for policy makers, practitioners, and researchers working on landscape restoration and green economy transitions.
[View Publication] | Download PDF
Led multi-country research on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) across tropical landscapes. Secured over $16 million USD in grant funding and published extensively on landscape governance, community forestry, and climate-smart agriculture.
[View Research Portfolio] | [Publications List]
Developed and implemented agroforestry interventions across Eastern and West Africa, demonstrating how integrated tree-crop systems can enhance food security, carbon sequestration, and climate resilience for smallholder farmers.
[View Case Studies] | [Technical Guides]
Conducted groundbreaking research on "The forgotten half? Women in forest management and development discourse in Africa" - addressing gender gaps in forest governance and highlighting women's contributions to ecosystem restoration.
[Read Publication] | [Policy Implications]
My work has been featured in The New York Times, Science Daily, and other reputable publications. I actively mentor young scientists and have supervised 3 PhD students, 3 MSc students, and 5 BSc students in sustainability science and ecosystem restoration.
[View Media Coverage] | [Mentoring Portfolio]
I have published 70+ peer-reviewed scientific articles and 48 technical documents for practitioners and policymakers. My work spans ecosystem-based adaptation, agroforestry systems, landscape governance, and climate change mitigation.
Key Metrics:
- H-Index: 26 (Google Scholar), 20 (Scopus)
- Citations: 2,000+ (ResearchGate)
- I10 Index: 48 (Google Scholar)
[View Full Publication List] | Google Scholar Profile
Selected achievements and recognitions highlighting the impact and quality of my scientific contributions to ecosystem restoration and climate science.
[View All Awards] | [Professional Recognition]
- Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA)
- Nature-based Solutions (NbS)
- Landscape Restoration
- Climate Change Science
- Agroforestry Systems
- Community-led Conservation
- Python (Fundamentals & Data Analysis)
- R (Statistical Computing, Text Analysis)
- GIS & Remote Sensing
- Environmental Modeling
- Statistical Analysis
- Large-scale Project Design ($70M+ USD)
- Grant Writing & Fundraising ($16M+ secured)
- Technical Team Leadership
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Scientific Mentoring
- Africa: Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, The Gambia, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Tanzania
- Asia: Vietnam, Philippines, Sri Lanka
- Multi-continental landscape restoration experience
- 📧 Email: [email protected]
- 🔗 ORCID: 0000-0001-8282-4406
- 🎓 Google Scholar: Lalisa Duguma
- 🔬 ResearchGate: Lalisa-Duguma
- 💼 LinkedIn: Connect with me
- PhD Natural Resources and Life Sciences | University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria | 2010
- MSc Mountain Forestry | University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria | 2005
- BSc General Forestry | Debub University, Ethiopia | 2001
Special Recognitions: Graduated cum laude, Dissertation Excellence Prize, Outstanding Undergraduate Award
"Restoring landscapes, building resilience, empowering communities - one ecosystem at a time."