Scholars Expand Research Capabilities for Global Bat Conservation

02.04.21

Scholars Expand Research Capabilities for Global Bat Conservation
Bat Conservation International Announces the 2021 Student Scholars

AUSTIN, TX (Feb. 4, 2021) – Bat Conservation International announced today the selection of its 2021 Student Scholars, recognizing 14 emerging scholars for their potential to significantly contribute to global bat conservation priorities. These scholarships supporting the next generation of bat conservationists are awarded to university students and aspiring conservationists whose ideas have inspired us and whose work is of great value to both the scientific community and bat conservation across the globe.

The Bat Conservation International Student Scholars Program has awarded more than $1.2 million to 433 emerging scholars since its inception.

“Conservation on a global scale requires expanding research capabilities to match needs,” said Dr. Amanda Adams, Conservation Research Program Manager at Bat Conservation International. “As research informs our understanding of threats, we can then take bold actions to protect bats around the world. We thank all of our applicants, application evaluators, and our 2021 Student Scholar winners for their commitment to preserving bat species around the world.”

The diverse group of student scholars recognized this year are pursuing research topics ranging from “A Dietary Diversity Study for Conservation of Eonycteris spelaea, the Main Pollinator of Durians” to “Bats of Bangladesh: Bat Assemblage Structure and Species Responses to Land-Use Change”.

Applicants were required to submit work that covered one of three conservation categories: understanding human-caused environmental changes on bats, resolving bat and human conflicts, and answering questions that can inform conservation of globally imperiled bat species. Each Student Scholar receives $3,000. Some Student Scholars also receive an additional $500 for specific honors.

The 2021 Student Scholars live and work in countries around the globe such as Brazil, Colombia, Cameroon, Nepal, and Pakistan. Bat Conservation International’s goal is to increase the global capacity for bat conservation by providing opportunities for M.Sc. and Ph.D. students to expand their bat research experience and professional network, emphasizing that research is key for evidence-based conservation.

In addition to the 2021 award recipients, Bat Conservation International also honors:

• Ellen Whittle: First recipient of the Thomas H. Kunz Innovation in Bat Research Honor
• Joon Yee Yong: Verne and Marion Read Bat Conservation Honor
• Ashraf Ul Hasan: First recipient of the Promoting Diversity in Conservation Award
• Siteri Tikoca and Dikshya Sawad: Women in Science Award
• Muhammad Hasrizal Fuad, Carol Mariana Sierra Duran, and Joon Yee Yong: First recipients of the Conservation Evidence Special Recognition

2021 Bat Conservation International Student Scholars

Recipient: Touseef Ahmed
Project Title: Effect of Extreme Heat on Indian Flying Foxes (Pteropus medius) in Pakistan
Project Location: Pakistan

Recipient: Priscila Alves
Project Title: The Invisible Pollution: Bioaccumulation of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Bats in the Atlantic Forest
Project Location: Brazil

Recipient: Daniela Amortegui
Project Title: Effect of Transformed Ecosystems on Bat and Trypanosomatid Parasites Diversity in the Colombian Llanos
Project Location: Colombia

Recipient: Yogishah Bunsy
Project Title: Endangered Endemic Insular Bat as a Model Species to Inform Conservation, Human Health and Agro-Economy
Project Location: Mauritius

Recipient: Dibya Dahal
Project Title: Species Diversity, Local Community Perceptions and Conservation by Awareness of Bats in Rara National Park
Project Location: Nepal

Recipient: Muhammad Aminuddin Baqi Hasrizal Fuad
Project Title: A Dietary Diversity Study for Conservation of Eonycteris Spelaea, the Main Pollinator of Durians
Project Location: Malaysia
Special Recognition: First recipients of the Conservation Evidence Special Recognition

Recipient: Flora Kingha Zebaze Jasmine
Project Title: Diversity and Community Structure of Bats in a Modified Tropical Environment in the Mbam and Djerem National Parks
Project Location: Cameroon

Recipient: Léa Mariton
Project Title: Bats and Light Pollution – Impacts of ALAN on Fast-Flying Bat Species Phenology at Roosts
Project Location: France

Recipient: Dikshya Sawad
Project Title: Uncovering Bat Species at Caves, Forest, and Human Settlement Areas at Himalayan Foothills in Western Nepal
Project Location: Nepal
Special Recognition: Women in Science Award

Recipient: Cárol Mariana Sierra Durán
Project Title: Bats, Bat Boxes and Food Security: Evaluating Bats as Potential Rice Pest Controllers
Project Location: Mexico
Special Recognition: First recipients of the Conservation Evidence Special Recognition

Recipient: SiteriTikoca
Project Title: Resource Use of an Endangered Bat (Chaerephon Bregullae) Across Fragmented Habitats of Fiji
Project Location: Fiji
Special Recognition: Women in Science Award

Recipient: Md Ashraf Ul Hasan
Project Title: Bats of Bangladesh: Bat Assemblage Structure and Species Responses to Land-Use Change
Project Location: Bangladesh
Special Recognition: First recipient of the Promoting Diversity in Conservation Award

Recipient: Ellen Whittle
Project Title: Inter- and Intra-Annual Use of Maternal Roosts by Female Northern Long-Eared Bats
Project Location: United States
Special Recognition: First recipient of the Thomas H. Kunz Innovation in Bat Research Honor

Recipient: Joon Yee Yong
Project Title: Project Pteropus: Elucidating the Pollination Networks of the Durian (Durio zibethinus) Across Peninsular Malaysia
Project Location: Malaysia
Special Recognition: Verne and Marion Read Bat Conservation Honor and first recipients of the Conservation Evidence Special Recognition

About Bat Conservation International
Founded in 1982, Bat Conservation International (BCI) is a global conservation organization dedicated to ending bat extinctions. Working with international partners, the mission of BCI is to conserve the world’s bats and their ecosystems to ensure a healthy planet. For more information, visit batcon.org.

Media Contact: Javier Folgar
Tel: 512.327.9721 ext. 410
Email: jfolgar@batcon.org