Meet Our Amazing Plenary Speakers
We are honoured to welcome this esteemed group of professionals to our stage. Prepare to be inspired by a diverse panel of voices who bring decades of frontline experience and innovative research to tackle the most pressing challenges in wildlife conservation.
Hemanta Acharya
Chairman, Bardia NP Buffer Zone Management Council
Past Chair, Community-Based Anti-Poaching Unit
Hemanta Acharya is a dedicated community leader at the forefront of grassroots conservation in Nepal. His leadership in the Bardia National Park Buffer Zone and his past role heading the Community-Based Anti-Poaching Unit have been critical in empowering local communities to protect endangered wildlife while harmonizing human well-being with biodiversity.
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Mr. Ahmed Al-Boug
Deputy CEO, National Center for Wildlife (NCW), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Mr. Al-Boug plays a pivotal leadership role in guiding the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's national biodiversity strategies. Through his work at the National Center for Wildlife, he oversees major initiatives related to protected area management, species reintroduction programs, and the sustainable stewardship of the Arabian Peninsula's unique ecosystems.
Institution: National Center for Wildlife (NCW)
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Dr. Rohan Arthur
Senior Scientist, Oceans and Coasts
Founding Trustee, Nature Conservation Foundation
Dr. Arthur is a prominent marine ecologist whose long-term research focuses on the resilience of coral reefs and marine ecosystems in the face of climate change. As a founding trustee of the Nature Conservation Foundation, he has spent decades working along the Indian coastline and the Lakshadweep archipelago to develop science-based marine conservation strategies.
Institution: Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF) India
Academic Profiles: Google Scholar | ORCID
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Prof. Julia Jones
Professor of Conservation Science, Bangor University
Prince Bernhard Chair for International Nature Conservation, Utrecht University
Prof. Jones is a leading global voice on evaluating the effectiveness of conservation interventions. Her research explores the complex dynamics of human-nature interactions, natural resource management, and the socio-economic impacts of environmental policies. She holds dual affiliations, bringing a wealth of international collaborative experience to the field.
Institutions: Bangor University | Utrecht University
Academic Profiles: Google Scholar | ORCID
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Dr. Darryl MacKenzie
Author | Statistical Ecologist | Instructor | Founder & Managing Director, Proteus
Dr. MacKenzie is an internationally recognized biometrician best known for his pioneering methodological contributions to species occupancy modelling. As the founder of Proteus, he bridges the gap between complex statistical theory and practical ecological application, helping organizations worldwide make robust, data-driven conservation decisions.
*Dr. MacKenzie will be giving a plenary lecture and leading an exclusive 1-day training workshop on occupancy modelling on June 2, prior to the main Congress.
Institution: Proteus
Academic Profiles: Google Scholar
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Vivek Menon FLS
Leading Indian Nature Conservationist | Founder, Wildlife Trust of India
Chair, IUCN Species Survival Commission | Past Chair, SCB Asia
Vivek Menon is a highly decorated wildlife conservationist, environmental commentator, and author with a lifelong dedication to protecting nature. As the Founder of the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), he has been instrumental in shaping wildlife crime control and elephant conservation across the subcontinent. In late 2025, he made history by being elected as the first Asian Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC).
Institution: Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)
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Dr. Muhammad Ali Nawaz
Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Qatar University
Dr. Nawaz brings over two decades of expertise in wildlife research and conservation, with a strong focus on the ecology and coexistence of large carnivores—particularly snow leopards—in the world's warm and cold deserts. Deploying advanced field and molecular techniques, his work addresses human-carnivore conflict and influences landscape-level conservation planning across Asia.
Institution: Qatar University Faculty Profile
Academic Profiles: Google Scholar | ORCID
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Dr. Trang Nguyen
Founder & Director, WildAct Vietnam
Dr. Trang Nguyen is a renowned Vietnamese wildlife conservation scientist whose work spans frontline enforcement, undercover investigations against the illegal wildlife trade, and community-led conservation across Asia and Africa. She is a leading advocate for gender equality in the environmental sector, empowering women and ethnic minorities to lead positive change. Her high-impact work was recently recognized internationally when she was featured as one of Sir David Attenborough’s heroes in the BBC landmark series Planet Earth III.
Institution: WildAct Vietnam
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Dr. Tanya O’Garra
Senior Research Associate, Head of AI & Sustainability Research Hub
Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, University of Oxford
Dr. O'Garra is an environmental socio-economist whose research centers on the valuation of environmental resources, climate change adaptation, and conservation social science. Her current work at the University of Oxford explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and sustainable development, providing critical insights into how emerging technologies can be harnessed for environmental protection.
Institution: Smith School, University of Oxford
Academic Profiles: Google Scholar | ORCID
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Dr. Munir Virani
Chief Executive, Mohamed Bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund
Dr. Munir Virani is a globally recognized leader in raptor research and conservation with over 25 years of experience across four continents. Currently serving as the Chief Executive of the Mohamed Bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund, he previously held the position of Executive Vice President at The Peregrine Fund. His pioneering work ranges from mitigating the impact of power infrastructure on birds in Mongolia to leading vital efforts to protect critically endangered vultures in Kenya—a mission that earned him a prestigious Whitley Award ("Green Oscar"). An award-winning filmmaker and engaging speaker, his insights on wildlife conservation have reached millions worldwide.
Institutions: Mohamed Bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund
Munir Virani Photography
Academic Profile: ResearchGate