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USD 80 /hr

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Hire Onella M.

Cameroon

USD 80 /hr

Freelance Wildlife Ecologist | Biodiversity & Conservation Data Analyst | R · ArcGIS · GIS | L'Oréal-UNESCO Award Winner

Profile Summary

Wildlife ecologist with 7+ years of field and research experience across Central and West African ecosystems. I combine rigorous quantitative skills — R, ArcGIS, Canoco 5, Statistica — with deep on-the-ground expertise in biodiversity surveys, species distribution modelling, and community-based conservation. Currently completing a PhD at the University of Dschang (Cameroon) on the conservation ecology of the globally endangered Yellow-casqued Hornbill (Ceratogymna elata), including habitat preference mapping and anthropogenic pressure analysis in unprotected rainforest. I recently completed an Erasmus Mundus mobility placement at the University of South Bohemia (Jan–Jul 2026), applying advanced statistics and GIS to large biodiversity datasets. What I can do for your project: Design and execute wildlife/biodiversity field surveys (point counts, mist-netting, camera traps, transects) Analyse ecological and environmental data in R (community ecology, GLMs, ordination, species diversity indices) Perform spatial analysis and habitat mapping in ArcGIS Conduct literature reviews and systematic reviews in ecology, conservation biology, and environmental science Write and edit scientific manuscripts, reports, grant proposals, and policy briefs Integrate indigenous/local ecological knowledge (ethno-zoological studies, community interviews) Provide statistical consulting for ecology and biology research projects Recognition: 2025 L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Young Talent Award (Sub-Saharan Africa); WWF Russell E. Train Fellowship; AGNES-BAYER Foundation Research Grant. I am rigorous, deadline-driven, and experienced working with international funders (WWF, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, Margot Marsh Biodiversity Foundation). I communicate clearly to both scientific and non-specialist audiences and have co-authored peer-reviewed papers in Ecology & Evolution, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, and Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. SERVICES (with suggested descriptions & pricing guidance) 1. Ecological Data Analysis (R / Canoco 5 / Statistica) Comprehensive statistical analysis of biodiversity, species diversity, and community ecology datasets. Services include data cleaning, exploratory analysis, ordination (PCA, RDA, CCA), GLMs/GLMMs, species richness indices, and publication-ready figures and tables. Deliverable: R script, annotated output, and a written methods + results summary. Suggested rate: $40–70/hr or $200–600 per project 2. GIS & Spatial Analysis (ArcGIS) Habitat mapping, land-use change analysis, species distribution mapping, and spatial overlays for conservation planning. Includes geodatabase setup and map production for reports or publications. Suggested rate: $40–65/hr 3. Wildlife Field Survey Design & Protocols Development of standardised survey protocols for birds, mammals, or general biodiversity (point counts, transects, camera trap grids, mist-netting). Includes sampling design, data collection forms, and field guides tailored to your study area. Suggested rate: $35–60/hr 4. Scientific Writing & Manuscript Preparation Writing, editing, or reviewing scientific manuscripts, grant applications, technical reports, or literature reviews in ecology, conservation biology, or environmental science. Experienced with journals including Ecology & Evolution, Phil Trans B, and Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. Suggested rate: $30–55/hr 5. Statistical Consulting for Ecology & Biology One-to-one consultation for researchers needing help with study design, choice of statistical tests, interpretation of results, or troubleshooting R code. Available for BSc, MSc, and PhD students, as well as professional researchers. Suggested rate: $35–60/hr WORK EXPERIENCE PhD Researcher — Wildlife Ecology University of Dschang, Cameroon | 2022 – Present Investigating the conservation ecology of the Yellow-casqued Hornbill (Ceratogymna elata) in an unprotected Cameroonian rainforest. Led a 10-person interdisciplinary field team across 6 forest-edge villages over 4 months (2 rainy + 2 dry seasons). Conducted 98 bird point counts, measured 1,500 trees, and built spatial models of habitat use and anthropogenic pressure using R and ArcGIS. Mentored 3 female master's students in field methods and data analysis. Erasmus Mundus Visiting Researcher University of South Bohemia, Czech Republic | Jan – Jul 2026 Applied advanced statistical and GIS methods to PhD biodiversity datasets. Strengthened quantitative skills in multivariate analysis and spatial modelling in an international European research environment. Independent Researcher & Field Team Leader Cameroon (Ebo Forest & Boumba-Bek National Park) | 2021 – 2024 Led teams of up to 9 (5 field assistants + 4 volunteers) on multi-site ecological and ethno-zoological studies. Conducted population assessments of endangered species, managed ethno-zoological interviews with 60+ community members, and organised biodiversity awareness programmes reaching 1,886+ individuals in schools and rural villages. Assistant Lecturer — Veterinary Entomology Estuary Academic and Strategic Institute (IUEs/INSAM) & University of Dschang | 2021 – 2022 Designed and delivered lesson plans to 30+ undergraduate students. Supervised 3 student research projects, marked scripts, and provided mentorship. Research Assistant — Czech Science Foundation Project (18-10781S) Mount Cameroon | 2020 – 2021 Conducted bird surveys (1,000+ records) across elevational gradients, operated mist-nets, deployed 50 GoPro cameras for behavioural experiments, and identified 500 fauna and flora species. Managed data import, visualisation, and analysis pipelines. EDUCATION DegreeInstitutionYearGradePhD, Conservation Ecology (candidate)University of Dschang, Cameroon2022–PresentIn progressMSc, Applied Ecology & Wildlife ManagementUniversity of Dschang, Cameroon2019–2021Distinction (Very Good)BSc, Applied Zoology (Minor: Animal Production)University of Bamenda, Cameroon2015–2018— CERTIFICATIONS & TRAINING 2026: Erasmus Mundus Mobility — Advanced Statistics & Data Analysis, University of South Bohemia 2025: Wildlife Survey Data Analysis & Paper Writing Workshop — Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund & Apes Institute, Rwanda 2024: Wildlife Survey Data Analysis & Paper Writing Workshop — Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund (Cynthia Dawn Verso Award) + Margot Marsh Biodiversity Foundation, Rwanda 2024: CABES Capacity Development Programme & UNESCO LINKS Programme (Indigenous Knowledge, Participatory Research, Science-Policy Frameworks) 2022–2023: Wildlife Survey Data Processing & Analysis — CSRS (Ivory Coast), Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund (Rwanda), APS, IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group; partly supported by iDiv & re:wild 2022: Tropical Biology Association (Cambridge) — Designing Research Projects in Conservation Biology, Mpala Research Center, Kenya (fully funded) PUBLICATIONS Mundi, O., et al. (2025). Complex variation in Afrotropical mammal communities with human impact. Ecology and Evolution, 15(5), e71331. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71331 Mundi, O., et al. (2025). An African perspective to biodiversity conservation in the twenty-first century. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 380(1917), 20230443. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2023.0443 Mundi O, Awa II T, Chmel K, Luma Ewome F, Uceda-Gomez G, Janečková P & Janeček Š (2022). The ornithophily of Impatiens sakeriana does not guarantee a preference by sunbirds. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, blac083. Mundi O, et al. (In prep). Local Ecological Knowledge and Perception on uses of the Yellow-Casqued Hornbill (Ceratogymna elata) in Cameroon.

Subject Matter Expertise

• ☆ Biostatistics
• ☆ Zoology
• ☆ Data Collection
• ☆ Ecology
• ☆ Ecosystem Management
• ☆ Applied Ecology
• ☆ Ecological Restoration
• ☆ Conservation Biology
• ☆ Systems Ecology
• ☆ Biodiversity
• ☆ Knowledge Management
• ☆ Landscape Ecology

Services

• Writing
• Research
• Data & AI

Writing Technical Writing, General Proofreading & Editing, Translation

Research User Research, Feasibility Study, Fact Checking, Gap Analysis, Gray Literature Search, Scientific and Technical Research, Systematic Literature Review, Secondary Data Collection

Data & AI Predictive Modeling, Statistical Analysis, Data Visualization

Work Experience

Founder

Hornbill Research Initiative for Science and People

December 2021 - Present

Lecturer

Estuary Academic and Strategic Institute (IUEs/Insam), Bafoussam Annex Campus, University of Dschang and Buea Cameroon

October 2021 - March 2022

Assistant Trainer

Peace Corps (USAID), Foumbot, Cameroon

August 2018 - February 2019

Education

Visiting Researcher in Zoology and Ecology (Zoology and Ecology)

University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice

January 2026 - Present

Researcher - Ecology and Conservation of the Globally Endangered Yellow-Casqued Hornbill in an unprotected rainforest (Ebo forest) in Cameroon (Animal Biology)

University of Dschang

January 2022 - Present

Master of Science, Applied Ecology and Wildlife Management, Cumulative GPA of 3/4 Master’s thesis Dissertation: Sunbirds (Cinnyris reichenowi and Cyanomitra oritis) Foraging Behavior on four Ornithophilous Plants of Mount Cameroon an Associative Learning behavior. (Animal Biology)

University of Dschang

December 2019 - August 2021

Bachelor of Science in Zoology (Animal Biology)

University of Bamenda

November 2015 - December 2018

Certifications

• Erasmus Mundus Mobility Advanced Statistics & Data Analysis

  University of South Bohemia

  January 2026 - Present

• Wildlife Survey Data Analysis & Paper Writing Workshop

  Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund & Apes Institute, Rwanda

  October 2025 - Present

• Survey Data Analysis & Paper Writing Workshop

  Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund (Cynthia Dawn Verso Award) and Margot Marsh Biodiversity Foundation, Rwanda

  November 2024 - Present

• Indigenous Knowledge, Participatory Research, Science-Policy Frameworks

  CABES Capacity Development Programme & UNESCO LINKS Programme

  August 2024 - Present

• Wildlife Survey Data Processing & Analysis

  CSRS (Ivory Coast), Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund (Rwanda), APS, IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group

  November 2022 - Present

• Certified Environmental Professional in Training

  Tropical Biology Association

  October 2022 - Present

Publications

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Deogratias Tuyisingize, Lars Kulik, Delagnon Assou, Diorne Zausa, Solange Kamga, Onella Mundi, Stefanie Heinicke, Inza Kone, Samedi Jean Pierre Mucyo, Tenekwetche Sop, et al. (2025). Complex Variation in Afrotropical Mammal Communities With Human Impact . Ecology and Evolution.

et al., Bezeng S. Bezeng, Gabriel Ameka, Chia Michelle Valérie Angui, Laura Atuah, Fortuné Azihou, Yanis Bouchenak-Khelladi, Frank Carlisle, Bi Tra Serges Doubi, Orou G. Gaoue, Wenceslas Gatarabirwa (2025). An African perspective to biodiversity conservation in the twenty-first century . Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.

Onella Mundi, Taku Awa Ii, Kryštof Chmel, Francis Luma Ewome, Guillermo Uceda-G&#243;mez, Petra Janečkov&#225;, Štěp&#225;n Janeček (2022). The ornithophily of <i>Impatiens sakeriana</i> does not guarantee a preference by sunbirds . Biological Journal of the Linnean Society.