REVIEWERS' Profile

Featured in this issue

Dr. Ravishankar Thupalli

Dr Thupalli is a distinguished scholar whom we are proud to have as one of our reviewers. Please see his rich bio! - Editor, AJFAND

Dr. Ravishankar Thupalli did his Masters in Botany from University of Madras, and Ph.D. in Ethnobotany from Bharathiar University, Coimbatore in India. Dr. Ravishankar has been making exemplary contribution to the sustainable management of Forests and Mangroves Biodiversity through participatory approaches to address land use and land change patterns altering ecosystems and contributing to its re-generation since 1984 in cognizance with MEAs from 1972 Stockholm Conference to the 2015 SDGs. Worked from Research Fellow to Research Associate in Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Coimbatore. Worked as Associate Director in M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) under the direct guidance of Prof. M. S. Swaminathan on biodiversity in hinterlands and coastal areas, mangroves and traditional agricultural crops. Assisted Prof. Swaminathan in National Commission on Farmers Andhra Chapter during 1992 to 2005 and works with his guidance in several assignments. Now also he supports MSSRF in an advisory role on the project namely “Beyond 30 years of MSSRF”. He is a specialist in conservation of Forest Biodiversity; Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS); Community Development and mangrove conservation and restoration. Experienced in developing multi focal area project proposals and in program development, implementing, monitoring and evaluation and process documentation. He is also contributing as Lead Author for the IPBES thorough United Nations University, Japan. He is a regular Independent International Consultant for Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations and worked for FAO in the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, Fiji, Indonesia, and Thailand and for UNDP in Philippines. Dr. Ravishankar is a recognized GEF and GCF Project Development Specialist and has developed projects for Sri Lanka, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and India for UNDP, UNEP and FAO. Skilled in undertaking post disaster needs assessment (PDNA) of coastal forests and mangroves altered by cyclonic storms and tsunami.
Dr. Ravishankar is experienced in the application of traditional practices of tribal communities in forest biodiversity conservation and management and traditional agricultural practices. Experienced in documenting Ethnobotanical data on plants used in food, medicine and material value and NTFP in India and quantitative Ethnobotany in Kenya. Experienced in the application of ABS provisions and community involved conservation and sustainable management of forest biodiversity, mangrove rehabilitation and management and agro-forestry for livelihood enhancement and poverty reduction; through research, training and capacity building of rural and tribal communities and other stakeholders. Specialized in stakeholder engagement and developing awareness tools and in micro-credit based NRM through women SHGs. Developed guidelines for Joint Mangrove / Forest Management and advocacy through policy briefs. Developed home gardens with fruit trees to support community livelihoods.
Presently Dr. Ravishankar works as Climate Change Specialist for Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations in the Maldives. He is also supporting the development of Aquaculture Value Chain Analyses for Cambodia. Dr. Ravishankar worked as Project Coordinator of UNDP GEF EGREE Project on Mangroves in Kakinada. He has worked with UNDP, GEF, Asian Development Bank, World Bank, Common Fund for Commodities in Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh on Forest and Agriculture conservation and policy development from 2005 till to day. Contributed for the FAO 2014 - 2018 Country Programming Framework on Agriculture and Rural Development for India and UNDAF 2014 - 2018 country programme of India for UNDP. Undertook mid-term and final evaluations of medicinal plants and mangrove projects in India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. Developed compendium of global best practices in mainstreaming biodiversity conservation into production sectors. Skilled in editing reports and documents having worked as editorial consultant for FAO.
In the past 35 years Ravishankar has worked with FAO, UNDP, UNEP, GEF, and UN system, ADB, CFC, FIDA, BSI and MSSRF in 23 countries and in India and with forest and revenue departments of 29 states and 7 Union Territories in India. Provided technical advice and implemented projects on Biodiversity and Mangroves funded by Government of Finland, SIDA, GTZ, IDRC, CIDA, IPGRI, MacArthur Foundation and Sasakawa Peace Foundation and Government of India. Possess a sound understanding on implementation challenges in forest and biodiversity policies and Acts in Asia pacific region, particularly in India. Dr. Ravishankar has participated and presented papers in international conferences in 23 countries and has over 84 publications which include; 35 Research Papers in National and International Journals and 27 books including book chapters, 10 abstracts and 12 national and international country reports till today. He is one of the editors of African Journal for Agriculture, Kenya. He has been awarded Young Scientist award and is a member of several national and international societies and professional bodies. He is a resource person for United Nations University, Tokyo, Japan and United Nations University, Hamilton, Canada.
Dr. Ravishankar is trained in 1. Quantitative Analyses by UNESCO in Kenya Forests and in 2. Preparing Forest Management Plans in Wageningen University and Research, Netherlands, 3. Basics in horticulture in University of Warwick, UK and contributes as a resource person and trainer in the above areas.
He has delivered guest lectures in Mc Gill University, Canada and in several research Institutions, Universities, Colleges and Schools across India. He is a Member in the Research Advisory Committee of post graduate students (M. Tech) of the Department of Environmental Engineering, Jawaharlal Nehru Technology University, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India. He has teaching experience as Lecturer at State Forest Service College, Coimbatore and Andhra Pradesh Forest Academy, Rajahmundry, India. Member of Board of Studies of colleges under University of Madras, Adikavi Nannaya University, Rajahmundry and Andhra University, Visakhapatnam in India.

Dr. Ravishankar Thupalli F.E.S.
rthupalli@hotmail.com;
rthupalli@hotmail.com; skype ravishankar62;
https://independent.academia.edu/RavishankarThupalli
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravishankar-thupalli-b1503a66
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ravishankar_Thupalli
https://nbsapforum.net/members/ravishankar-thupalli-0

Mr. Silvester Jaika

Silvester Jaika is a graduate of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya holding a Bachelors Degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics, First Class Honours. He is indexed by the Kenya Nutritionists and Dieticians Institute, the national regulatory body for Nutrition and Dietetics training and practice. He is currently a Master’s Candidate pursuing MSc. Medical Dietetics in the same institution funded by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). He has a great interest in research majoring in Maternal and child nutrition, gut health and application of stable isotopes (13C SBT) in diagnosing intestinal permeability. He is a trained clinical ethics specialist and has attended several workshops and seminars on bioethics to build his skills and knowledge on research ethics. Jaika is currently a lecturer at Rift valley Technical Training Institute, Eldoret. He is part of the Masinde Muliro University Ethics review committee secretariat. He also runs a research consultancy that offers services/trainings on research process, research data management and ethics in research.
Email: silvesterndori39@gmail.com / silvester.ndori@rvti.ac.ke
We are happy to have Mr Jaika join us as a Junior Reviewer and Mentee. We believe he has a great future in this field of nutritional sciences. Editor, AJFAND