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𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗨𝗻𝘄𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗘𝗙 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿

It is with immense pride that the 𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗘𝗙 celebrates the successful PhD defense of Dr. 𝗞𝗼𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗶 𝗕𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲́ 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁, held on 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟭𝟴, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, at the 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁, 𝗚𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗮.

His dissertation, entitled : 

“𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗗𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻’𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘀,” provides valuable insights into the impacts of anthropogenic activities and climate change on mangrove carbon dynamics in Benin through an integrated approach combining remote sensing, field measurements, and modeling.

Among the major findings, the study highlights significant losses in mangrove carbon stocks, identifies human activities as the principal driver of degradation, and projects further declines under future climate scenarios.

This remarkable achievement reflects Dr.𝗞𝗼𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗶 𝗕𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲́ 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁's dedication to scientific excellence and his valuable contribution to environmental research and sustainable ecosystem management.

Congratulations, Dr. 𝗞𝗼𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗶 𝗕𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲́ 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁! 
LABEF wishes you continued success and ever greater achievements.

#LABEF #NewDoctor #AcademicExcellence #ScientificExcellence #DoctoralDefense #ClimateChangeResearch #MangroveConservation #EnvironmentalScience #UniversityOfCapeCoast #BeninResearch #AfricanScience #ResearchForDevelopment #ProudlyLABEF

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
1. Kochoni, B. I., Salako, K. V., Dimobe, K., Agounde, G., Zanvo, M. G. S., Danquah, J. A., Glèlè Kakaï, R. (2025). Impact of Anthropogenic Activities and Climate Change on Carbon Stock in a West-African Mangrove. Wetlands. https://lnkd.in/ewKRDPgG 
2. Kochoni, B. I., Salako, K. V., Danquah, J. A., Sinsin, C. B. L., Mensah, S., Glèlè Kakaï, R. (2025). Contribution of the Ramsar convention to the conservation of West‑African mangroves: a case study in Benin. Wetlands Ecology and Management. 
https://lnkd.in/emVAzwFC
3. Kochoni, B. I., Salako, K. V., Danquah, J. A., Glèlè Kakaï, R. The relative contribution of human activities and climate variability to mangrove degradation in Benin: a quantitative assessment. Under review in Journal of Coastal Conservation.
4. Kochoni, B. I., Salako, K. V., ZANVO, M. S., Danquah, J. A., MENSAH, S., Glèlè Kakaï, R.. Patterns of human disturbance in mangroves and impacts on stand diversity, structure, and carbon stock in two Ramsar sites in Southern of Benin. Manuscript ready.

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗧𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀!

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗘𝗙 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿'𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗔𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱: 𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗔𝗔 𝗢𝗺𝗮𝗴𝘄𝗮 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗰𝗸, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 at the 𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗘𝗙

My name is 𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗔𝗔 𝗢𝗺𝗮𝗴𝘄𝗮 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗰𝗸, from 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘆𝗮.

I am currently a Master’s II 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, due to its unique nature. It is where maths actually touch lives. This blend keeps me curious and constantly learning.

My research work will focus on the following topic:

“𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗜𝗺𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘀.”

I would like to express my deep appreciation to the Director of the 𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗘𝗙, Professor 𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗹𝗲̀𝗹𝗲̀ 𝗞𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗶̈, and his team for their support, leadership, innovative initiatives, and unwavering commitment to academic excellence and coordination of the program. Your responsiveness and attention to detail have made the experience more seamless for students.

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

#MeetTheLABEFMastersStudents #LABEF #Biostatistics #MachineLearning #DataScience #HealthDataScience #Research #DAADScholar #UniversityOfAbomeyCalavi #Kenya #AcademicExcellence #GlobalScholars #StudyInBenin #StudentSpotlight #StayTunedForUpdates

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲!

𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻

I am 𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗔 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗮, from 𝗥𝘄𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮.

I am currently a second-year Master's student in Statistics, specializing 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 at 𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗘𝗙 (𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗶𝗿𝗲 de 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲́𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀 et d'𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗲̀𝗿𝗲𝘀) at the

𝗨𝗔𝗖 (𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘆-𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘃𝗶, 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻).

I chose to pursue my Master’s studies at LABEF because it offers a strong academic environment where English serves as the primary language of instruction and communication in this program. This aligns well with my academic interests and long-term career aspirations in public health, biostatistics, and data science.

I am currently conducting my Master's research on:

“𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝘅 𝗔𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝘄𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮.”

Through this research, I aim to contribute to a better understanding of the socioeconomic, demographic, and geographic factors associated with nutritional outcomes among women of reproductive age, thereby supporting evidence-based public health policies and interventions in Rwanda.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Director of 𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗘𝗙 , Professor 𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗹𝗲̀𝗹𝗲̀ 𝗞𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗶̈, and the entire 𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗘𝗙 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 for their continuous guidance, creativity, mentorship and academic support throughout my studies.

I also extend my heartfelt appreciation to 𝗗𝗔𝗔𝗗 (𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲) for its generous financial support through the In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Programme, which has made this academic journey possible.

I look forward to further developing my research skills and contributing to evidence-based solutions for public health challenges in Rwanda and beyond.

#LABEF #DAADScholar #Biostatistics #PublicHealth #DataScience #Research #WomenInScience #Rwanda #Benin #EnglishForScience #AcademicExcellence #HigherEducation #YoungResearcher #AfricanResearchers #StayTuned.

𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗘𝗙!

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲!

Paterne M. Hounguevou, a second-year Master’s student in Biostatistics at LABEF-UAC, is pursuing research at the intersection of data science, agriculture, and health. His work focuses on AI-driven modeling and early prediction of agricultural diseases using spatio-temporal, climatic, and phytosanitary data.

Through this research, he aims to contribute to sustainable agriculture, food security, and public health while building expertise in spatial epidemiology across sub-Saharan Africa.

Paterne expresses his deep gratitude to Glèlè Kakaï for his visionary leadership, scientific creativity, and unwavering commitment to mentoring the next generation of researchers worldwide.

“His innovative mindset and dedication to academic excellence continue to inspire young scientists to pursue impactful research on a global scale.”

#LABEF #SSACAB #Biostatistics #DataScience #ArtificialIntelligence #SpatialEpidemiology #Research #ScientificExcellence #AfricanScience