Nalina Aiempichitkijkarn | Primatology | Women Researcher Award

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Dr. Nalina Aiempichitkijkarn | Primatology | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Nalina Aiempichitkijkarn, California State University, Long Beach, United States

Dr. Nalina Aiempichitkijkarn is a postdoctoral scholar at California State University, Long Beach, specializing in primate behavior and ecological research. She earned her Ph.D. in Animal Behavior from the University of California, Davis, focusing on social connectedness and disease transmission in long-tailed macaques. With extensive fieldwork experience across Thailand, India, Indonesia, and Brazil, she has conducted pioneering studies on human-wildlife interactions and animal cognition. Her interdisciplinary research combines social network analysis and photogrammetry, contributing to wildlife conservation and zoonotic disease management. 🌿🐒

Publication Profile

Scopus

Google Scholar

🎓 Education

Dr. Nalina Aiempichitkijkarn holds a Ph.D. in Animal Behavior from the University of California, Davis, where she investigated tuberculosis transmission in macaques under the mentorship of Brenda McCowan. She earned an M.Sc. in Psychology from the University of Georgia, specializing in behavioral and brain sciences. Her B.Sc. in Biology, awarded with First Class Honors and a Gold Medal from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, focused on primate behavior. Her academic journey reflects a dedication to understanding the complexities of animal behavior through interdisciplinary approaches. 📚🧠

💼 Experience

Dr. Aiempichitkijkarn’s extensive research experience includes postdoctoral work at California State University, Long Beach, exploring evolutionary demography in rhesus macaques. She has led projects on tuberculosis infection among macaques in Thailand, studied human-monkey conflicts in India, and investigated robbing behaviors in macaques in Indonesia. Additionally, she has conducted fieldwork on tool use in capuchin monkeys in Brazil. Her expertise in social network analysis, field data collection, and ecological studies highlights her contributions to primatology and conservation science. 🌿🐵

🏆 Awards and Honors

Dr. Aiempichitkijkarn has received numerous awards, including the McEwan Career Development Fellowship and the prestigious DPST Scholarship. Her research excellence earned her 1st place Oral Presentation at the International Primatological Society, the Ruppenthal Student Travel Award, and the UC Davis Grad Slam 2nd place. She also secured the Leakey Foundation Research Grant and the American Society of Primatologists Research Grant. Her dedication to advancing primatology and behavioral research has been consistently recognized. 🥇🎖️

🔎 Research Focus

Dr. Aiempichitkijkarn’s research explores primate social behavior, zoonotic disease transmission, and human-wildlife interactions. Her studies on tuberculosis in long-tailed macaques use social network analysis to understand disease spread. She has investigated behavioral ecology, including tool use in capuchins and bartering behavior in macaques. Additionally, her work on evolutionary demography and noninvasive photogrammetry offers valuable insights into primate health and conservation. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges behavioral science, ecology, and epidemiology. 🐒🧬🌿

Publication Top Notes

  • 2023: “Non-invasive specimen collections for Mycobacterium tuberculosis detection in free-ranging long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis)” ​

  • 2023: “The development of expertise at cracking palm nuts by wild bearded capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus)” ​ScienceDirect

  • 2022: “Impact of joint interactions with humans and social interactions with conspecifics on the risk of zooanthroponotic outbreaks among wildlife populations” ​Nature

  • 2017: “What challenges wild bearded capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus) in learning to crack nuts?” ​

 

Omer Dad | Zoology | Young Scientist Award

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Dr. Omer Dad | Zoology | Young Scientist Award

PhD Zoology at Hazrara University , Mansehra , Pakistan

Dr. Omer Dad is a dedicated zoologist and molecular biologist from Pakistan, specializing in fish taxonomy, genetic diversity, and forensic entomology. He earned his PhD in Zoology from Hazara University (2024), focusing on the molecular identification of Triplophysa species. His expertise includes DNA extraction, PCR, and bioinformatics tools like MEGA and ClustalW. Dr. Dad has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and serves as a reviewer for international scientific journals. His research spans parasitology, disease ecology, and fisheries conservation. He has also received scholarships and awards for academic excellence. 📧 Omerdad173@gmail.com | 📍 KPK, Pakistan

 

Publication Profile

Orcid

🎓 Academic Qualifications

Dr. Omer Dad has an extensive academic background in zoology and education. He completed his Matriculation in Science from B.I.S.E Malakand (2007) and his Intermediate in Pre-Medical from B.I.S.E Peshawar (2009). He earned a BSc in Zoology, Botany, and Chemistry from the University of Malakand (2011), followed by an MSc in Zoology from Hazara University (2013). His M.Phil. in Zoology from SBBU Sheringal (2018) focused on Prevalence of malaria and status of Plasmodium spp. at Dir Lower, Pakistan. He recently obtained his PhD in Zoology from Hazara University (2024), researching Genetic Diversity and Cryptic Species Identification of Genus Triplophysa in the Fresh Waters of Malakand Division. Additionally, he holds a B.Ed. from AIOU Islamabad (2015). 📚🔍

🔬 Research Experience

Since 2016, Dr. Omer Dad has been actively engaged in research, contributing to projects like Effects of Pesticides on Histopathological, Hematological, Biochemical Parameters, and Genotoxic Responses in Common Fishes of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. His laboratory expertise includes DNA extraction, PCR, and Gel Electrophoresis. Proficient in data analysis tools such as MS Office, SPSS, ClustalW, MEGA, dNASP, and Endnote, he has presented research at the International Congress of Zoology in Pakistan and published in reputed journals. With strong English communication skills and extensive training in scientific writing and biostatistics, he is dedicated to advancing scientific research and innovation. 📊📝

🏆 Awards & Scholarships 🎓

Dr. Omer Dad has been recognized for his academic excellence with prestigious awards and scholarships. He was honored with a Laptop Award by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, a testament to his dedication to research and education. Additionally, he received the Prime Minister’s Fee Reimbursement Scholarship for two years, supporting his higher studies. These accolades highlight his commitment to academic achievement and scientific contribution. With continuous pursuit of knowledge, Dr. Omer Dad remains dedicated to advancing research in zoology and related fields. 🎖️📚

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Omer Dad specializes in zoology, with a strong research focus on fish taxonomy, genetic diversity, and disease surveillance in aquatic and avian species. His studies cover morphological and genetic assessments of freshwater fish (Cyprinidae, Triplophysa), and the impact of environmental stressors on fish health. Additionally, he investigates avian virology, including avian influenza and Newcastle disease, highlighting his expertise in wildlife diseases. His research also extends to parasitology (fascioliasis, malaria) and forensic entomology. His multidisciplinary approach contributes significantly to biodiversity conservation, epidemiology, and aquatic ecology. 🌊🐔🔬🦟

 

Publication Top Notes

  • Morphological study of fish species belonging to the family Cyprinidae in Panjkora river, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

  • Entomofauna of forensic importance on Canis domesticus carcasses at Dir Lower, Pakistan

  • Prevalence of malaria and status of Plasmodium spp. in Dir Lower, Pakistan

  • Have we forgotten the threat posed by fascioliasis? A potential threat to public health

  • Taxonomic, morphometric and limnological assessment of the commercially important ichthyofauna of Sakhakot Stream, Malakand, Pakistan

  • Genetic Diversity and Cryptic Species Identification of Genus Triplophysa from River Swat in Malakand Division, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

  • Isolation of newcastle disease virus from commercial broilers in district Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

  • Phenotypic Analysis and Growth Performance of Rhode Island Red, Barred Plymouth Rock and their Hybrid at Jaba Mansehra, Pakistan

  • Isolation of avian influenza virus from backyard poultry population of tehsil Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan