Dr. Geofrey Wingi Sikazwe, a lecturer at MUCE, has been awarded the International Environmental Scientists Award for Best Researcher in Mathematical Modelling in Ecology. The International Environmental Scientists Award is a premier global event in the realm of research, innovation, and collaboration, which aims to share ideas with a global community of researchers, scientists, and professionals passionate about advancing International Environmental Scientists.

Dr. Sikazwe's pioneering work has notably advanced ecological system understanding, showcasing the crucial role of mathematical tools in addressing complex environmental challenges. Dr. Sikazwe, who holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics from Stellenbosch University, South Africa, has enriched academic knowledge and provided practical solutions for sustainable environmental management.

Among his notable projects, Dr. Sikazwe led the modelling of cassava brown streak epidemics at the University of Cambridge (2015-2018), funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and a project on modelling coinfecting plant viruses amid climate change at Stellenbosch University (2021-2024), supported by the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences and the Government of Canada.

Why it matters: Dr. Sikazwe's innovative research highlights the impact of mathematical modelling in ecological conservation, offering insights and tools crucial for tackling pressing environmental issues.