I am an Associate Professor in Microbiology at the Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, University of Abomey-Calavi in Benin. My work focuses on combating antimicrobial resistance in Africa, and I am particularly interested in molecular microbiology, hygiene, and public health. As a West African scientist, I am also deeply committed to scientific diplomacy, and have established a broad network of global collaborators to support my efforts in improving public health and eradicating infectious diseases in my country. I am a founding member of the Research Unit in Applied Microbiology and Pharmacology of natural substances, Research Laboratory in Applied Biology, Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, University of Abomey-Calavi, and serve as the President of the Academy of Young Scientists of Benin. Additionally, I am the Country Ambassador of the American Society for Microbiology in Benin and a member of the Global Young Academy, as well as a young affiliate of the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS). Over the years, my academic career has been enriched through participation in numerous international workshops and symposia.

I am Valère SALAKO. I am Beninese and I am 32 years old. I hold a PhD in Life sciences, major Plant Ecology and Conservation (2016), a Master in Biostatistics (2017), a Master in Natural Resources and Biodiversity Management, and an Agricultural Engineer degree (2011). I am currently researcher and lecturer at the Faculty of Agronomic Siences, University of Abomey-Calavi and the scientific coordinator of the Laboratory of Biomathematics and Forest Estimations of that University. My research interests are threefold: Forest methods and Biostatistics (plot size optimization and multivariate methods for plant community data analyses); Population & community ecology (synergistic effect of Non-timber forest products harvest and climatic conditions on population structure and demography of plants, plant-animal interactions, plant-plant interactions, forest community ecology, and climate change); Biodiversity, ecosystems services & conservation of plants in traditional agroforestry systems (focus on parklands and home-gardens). Ecosystems of interest are natural forests (woodland, semi-deciduous dense forests, and mangroves), and agroforestry systems (parklands, farmlands and homegardens).

Dr Chabi DJAGOUN is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Abomey Calavi and a member of the Laboratory of Applied Ecology. He is a specialist in wildlife conservation and protected area management and has more than 15 years of professional experience in this field. His research work can be summarized in three axes: (i) Eco-systemic impact and sustainability of bushmeat exploitation in Benin's forest islands (ii) Ecohealth and sustainability of hunting in Benin (iii) Application of stable isotopes in the feeding ecology and habitat use of herbivores. Dr DJAGOUN is a member of the Academy of Young Scientists of Benin and a young affiliate of the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) since 2014. Author and co-author of about 60 scientific articles published in internationally renowned journals, he is also a member of several international associations, including the World Commission on Protected Areas; the International Union of Forest Research Organisation. Dr. Djagoun received in 2018 the "Marsh Award for Ecologists in Africa", awarded by the British Ecological Society in recognition of the quality and impact of his scientific research in Africa.