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My name is 𝗡𝗘𝗟𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗪𝗔 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗷𝗮 𝗢𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 , from 𝗧𝗮𝗻𝘇𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮.

I am currently a Master’s 2 student in Statistics, specializing in Biostatistics at the 𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘆-𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘃𝗶 .

I have chosen to pursue my studies at the LABEF, particularly in the field of Biostatistics, in line with my career objectives.

My research work will focus on the following topic: “𝗦𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴.”

I would like to express my deep appreciation to the Director of the 𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗘𝗙, Professor 𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗹𝗲̀𝗹𝗲̀ 𝗞𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗶̈ , and his team for their support and leadership.

I also acknowledge with deep appreciation the financial backing of 𝗗𝗔𝗔𝗗, which has made my studies possible.

#LABEF #Biostatistics #DAAD #UAC #Research #SpatialAnalysis #DiseaseMapping #PublicHealth #Statistics #Africa

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲!

With the support from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the Laboratory of Biomathematics and Forest Estimations (LABEF, https://labef-uac.org/) at the University of Abomey-Calavi organized a hybrid training workshop in March 2026 on the topic "Spatial Regression Models: Principles and Applications in Health, Agronomy, and Environment Using R Software." Over the course of four days, participants from about twenty countries seized the opportunity to master spatial  data analysis tools that are transforming the way we understand the world.

This event is part of the Humboldt Research Hub on Socio-Ecological Modeling of COVID-19 in Africa (HRH-SEMCA), with support from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. It brought together 240 selected young researchers, including 40 who attended in person in Bohicon, a city located 130 km north of Cotonou, which hosted the training. "This tremendous turnout is a powerful signal, a sign of a youth and a scientific community that wants to learn and work together," said Professor Romain Lucas Glèlè Kakaï, Director of LABEF/FSA, as he opened the proceedings.

Filling a Gap in African Research

Behind the participants' enthusiasm lies a stark reality: in many parts of the continent, spatial regression methods and geostatistics remain largely underutilized, even though they are essential for analyzing complex phenomena, such as the spread of diseases, forest degradation, and agricultural yields, that vary from one region to another.

"When you analyze data without accounting for these spatial dependencies, you often end up with biased estimates that can distort decision-making," explained Dr. Valère SALAKO, faculty researcher at UAC and Scientific Coordinator of LABEF.

This is precisely the gap the workshop aimed to close, offering participants progressive modules ranging from the fundamentals of spatial analysis to advanced geostatistical modeling techniques, all implemented in R,  a free, open-source software supported by a rapidly growing global user community.

Research Trajectories Transformed

What makes this training particularly compelling is the diversity of profiles it brings together and the depth of impact it generates on each individual's path.

Blaise KABRE, an assistant professor in plant ecology at Thomas Sankara University, sees the workshop as a direct lever for his scientific career: "This training will help strengthen my scientific skills and increase the value of my data in terms of articles submitted to high-impact international journals."

For Babatoundé Innocent KOTOCHONI, a PhD student in integrated coastal zone management at the University of Cape Coast (Ghana), the training opens up a new perspective on his research into mangrove ecosystems: "It will allow me to factor in location when assessing the drivers of degradation or deforestation. I really appreciated the fact that the practical sessions outweighed the theory — that made a big difference for me."

Ali KIENDREBEOGO, a PhD student in agronomy based in Turkey, working on ecophysiological analyses related to production systems, echoed these sentiments: "I now have a solid grasp of how to use each model. It wasn't part of my thesis plan, but I can now see how relevant it is."

A Vision Carried by LABEF and the Humboldt Foundation

This workshop is part of a coherent and ambitious effort that LABEF has been driving for several months. A few weeks earlier, a training on structural equation modeling had been held in Grand-Popo. Before that, a workshop on prompt engineering for generative AI tools had helped researchers integrate AI into their daily scientific work.

"Through these initiatives, our goal at LABEF is to create an environment where young researchers can acquire practical, useful skills and develop the rigor that raises the quality of our research and publications," said Professor Glèlè Kakaï.

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation's support for this initiative reflects an international scientific partnership that is making a concrete investment in African human capital. By funding training programs of this caliber, the Foundation is helping equip a new generation of researchers with the skills needed to produce rigorous, contextualized science that can meaningfully inform public decision-making.

𝙋𝒉𝘿 𝙥𝒓𝙤𝒋𝙚𝒄𝙩: “𝙊𝒑𝙩𝒊𝙢𝒂𝙡 𝘾𝒐𝙣𝒕𝙧𝒐𝙡 𝙈𝒐𝙙𝒆𝙡𝒊𝙣𝒈 𝒐𝙛 𝘼𝒇𝙧𝒊𝙘𝒂𝙣 𝙈𝒂𝙞𝒛𝙚 𝙎𝒕𝙖𝒍𝙠 𝘽𝒐𝙧𝒆𝙧 (𝑩𝙪𝒔𝙨𝒆𝙤𝒍𝙖 𝙛𝒖𝙨𝒄𝙖) 𝑫𝙮𝒏𝙖𝒎𝙞𝒄𝙨”

I am 𝗘𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗛𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗭𝗜𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗔, 𝗥𝘄𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗻; I am a PhD student in Biometry at the 𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘃𝗶.

The aim of my project theme is to develop and analyze a seasonal mathematical model with optimal control strategies for managing Busseola fusca (African maize stalk borer) populations in maize cropping systems across sub-Saharan Africa.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴:

(i) produced the PRISMA-based systematic review with quality assessment for crop pest models;

(ii) (ii) developed a seasonal Busseola fusca model showing that an 8% reduction in annual pest survival drives population decline, with adult/larval mortality as key intervention targets;

(iii) (iii) extend the framework to integrate multiple controls (chemical, biological, cultural, plant resistance) with explicit control reproduction numbers; and

(iv) (iv) formulate an optimal control problem to identify cost-effective, time-dependent strategies for sustainable pest management in sub-Saharan Africa.

My work will provide farmers, extension agents, and policymakers with precise, evidence-based guidance on when and how to implement the controls, which pest stages to target, how to manage residues, and what reduction threshold is needed to eliminate B. fusca, ultimately reducing yield losses and improving food security in sub-Saharan Africa.

To all our partners notably 𝗗𝗔𝗔𝗗 – thank you. To my supervisor, 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳. 𝗗𝗿. 𝗜𝗿. 𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗹𝗲̀𝗹𝗲̀ 𝗞𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗶̈, I owe a special debt of gratitude. His unwavering guidance, scientific rigor, patience, and encouragement that help to complete shortly my thesis. He is teaching me that good science is not just about equations but also about solving problems that matter to people.

This was 𝗘𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗛𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗭𝗜𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗔, a PhD student from 𝗥𝘄𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮 and studying at the 𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗘𝗙.

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲!

In this season of renewal, 𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗘𝗙 extends its warmest wishes

to the entire academic community: Students, Doctoral students, Researchers, Professionals and Officials for an Easter filled with hope, scientific excellence, and sustainable progress.

May your work continue to illuminate the paths of knowledge and innovation.

Congratulations to 𝗗𝗿. 𝗚𝗻𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗼𝘂 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲́ 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 on the successful defense of his 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗷𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗮𝗺𝘂𝗿, 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗴𝗶𝘂𝗺.

His dissertation, entitled : “ 𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗲: 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹-𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵”, investigated pathways to enhance coastal sustainability in the Anthropocene, by analyzing how to enhance the sustainable use of mangroves and strengthen their social-ecological resilience through an interdisciplinary approach.

𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀:

- The study showed that traditional beliefs and local deities play a significant role in regulating the use of mangrove resources, while the overlapping of formal and informal institutions offer opportunities to enhance their social-ecological resilience.

- The novel proposed framework called Mangrove Social Ecological Resilience Appraisal (MaSERA) outlines variables and indicators tailored to mangroves to assess their social-ecological resilience.

- The application of the framework in Benin highlights its potential in identifying factors that erode or enhance mangrove resilience.

Dear 𝗗𝗿. 𝗚𝗻𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗼𝘂 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲́ 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁, we are proud of your accomplishments and extend our best wishes as you advance to the next stages of your promising career.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:

1. Gnansounou, S. C., Salako, K. V., Visée, C., Dahdouh-Guebas, F., Kakaï, R. G., Kestemont, P., & Henry, S. (2024). The role of local deities and traditional beliefs in promoting the sustainable use of mangrove ecosystems. Forest Policy and Economics, 160, 103145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2023.103145

2. Gnansounou, S. C., Salako, K. V., Pellowe, K. E., Diallo, K., Kakaï, R. G., Kestemont, P., & Henry, S. (2026). Synergies between legal frameworks and traditional rules, and their potential for enhancing the social-ecological resilience of mangroves. Ocean & Coastal Management, 271, 107950. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2025.107950

3. Gnansounou, S. C., Dendoncker, N., Salako, K. S., Dahdouh-Guebas, F., Pellowe, K., De Longueville, F., Silvestre, F., Glèlè Kakaï, R., Kestemont, P., Henry S. Mangrove Social-Ecological Resilience Appraisal (MaSERA): A novel interdisciplinary Framework for Assessment. Under review

4. Gnansounou, S. C., Dendoncker, N., Salako, K. S., Dahdouh-Guebas, F., Pellowe, K., De Longueville, F., Silvestre, F., Glèlè Kakaï, R., Kestemont, P., Henry S. Toward coastal sustainability: operationalizing the Mangrove Social-Ecological Resilience Appraisal (MaSERA) framework. Under review