Howard Biology Ph.D. Students Selected for ESA’s 2026 Graduate Student Policy Award – The Dig at Howard University

Howard University Graduate Students Awarded 2026 Katherine S. McCarther Graduate Student Policy Award

Howard University doctoral candidates Olabisis Atofarati and Chukwudi Ikegwu have been selected as recipients of the 2026 Katherine S. McCarther Graduate Student Policy Award (GSPA), presented by the Ecological Society of America (ESA). They are the first recipients from Howard University to receive this prestigious award since its inception in 2007.

Overview of the Graduate Student Policy Award (GSPA)

The GSPA program selects 20 graduate students annually to engage with congressional decision-makers, federal agency officials, and ecologists working at the intersection of science and public policy. Awardees participate in training sessions focused on science communication, policy, and career development, and attend meetings with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The research and policy engagement of Atofarati and Ikegwu align closely with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including:

• SDG 14: Life Below Water – Sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems and fisheries.
• SDG 15: Life on Land – Biodiversity conservation and ecosystem protection.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – Addressing environmental changes impacting biodiversity.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Collaboration between scientists, policymakers, and communities.

Research Focus and Contributions

Olabisis Atofarati: Expanding Aquatic Ecology Research

Olabisis Atofarati, originally from Abuja, Nigeria, is conducting doctoral research in aquatic ecology, conservation genomics, and molecular biodiversity under the mentorship of Dr. Lotanna Micah Nneji at Howard University’s Nneji Ecology, Genetics, Evolution and Conservation (NEGEC) Lab.

1. Research Scope: Investigates fish diets and gut microbiomes across urban and peri-urban aquatic ecosystems using DNA metabarcoding and ecological analyses.
2. Objectives: Understand how environmental conditions affect fish health, productivity, and ecosystem functioning.
3. Policy Impact: Generates data to inform sustainable fisheries management and biodiversity conservation strategies.

Atofarati emphasized that the GSPA award strengthens her commitment to bridging ecological research with conservation practice and policy. She aims to contribute to evidence-based solutions that support sustainable fisheries, biodiversity conservation, and community livelihoods, directly supporting SDG 14 and SDG 15.

Chukwudi Ikegwu: Examining Amphibian Biodiversity

Chukwudi Ikegwu, from Ekka, Nigeria, also conducts research within the NEGEC Lab focusing on amphibian biodiversity and conservation biology in African montane ecosystems.

1. Research Methods: Utilizes machine learning, macroecological modeling, and spatial analyses to characterize biodiversity patterns.
2. Fieldwork: Employs molecular tools and environmental DNA to document species occurrence and validate ecological models.
3. Goals: Identify research and conservation knowledge gaps and assess environmental factors influencing species distribution and vulnerability.
4. Future Projections: Evaluates potential impacts of global environmental change on habitat suitability and biodiversity.

Ikegwu highlighted that the GSPA award is a milestone in his career, enabling collaboration with policymakers to promote biodiversity conservation and evidence-based environmental governance, contributing to SDG 15 and SDG 13.

Program Benefits and Career Development

• Training in science communication and policy engagement.
• Opportunities to meet and collaborate with lawmakers and federal agency officials.
• Expansion of professional networks with scientists, policymakers, and conservation professionals.
• Preparation for future roles integrating ecological research and environmental policy.

Conclusion

The selection of Howard University graduate students Olabisis Atofarati and Chukwudi Ikegwu for the 2026 Katherine S. McCarther Graduate Student Policy Award underscores the critical role of ecological research in advancing sustainable development. Their work exemplifies the integration of scientific inquiry with policy to address global challenges related to biodiversity conservation, sustainable fisheries, and climate action, thereby supporting multiple Sustainable Development Goals.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 14: Life Below Water
   • Focus on sustainable fisheries, aquatic ecosystems, and conservation of marine biodiversity.
2. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Emphasis on biodiversity conservation, particularly amphibian biodiversity and montane ecosystems.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Research includes projections of global environmental change and its impact on biodiversity and habitats.
4. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Use of advanced technologies such as machine learning, macroecological modeling, and molecular tools.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Engagement with policymakers, federal agencies, and ecologists to integrate science and policy.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 14 Targets
   • 14.4: Effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing to restore fish stocks.
   • 14.2: Sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems.
2. SDG 15 Targets
   • 15.1: Ensure conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems.
   • 15.5: Take urgent action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats and halt biodiversity loss.
3. SDG 13 Targets
   • 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
4. SDG 9 Targets
   • 9.5: Enhance scientific research and upgrade technological capabilities of industrial sectors.
5. SDG 17 Targets
   • 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships.
   • 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicators Related to SDG 14 and 15
   • Fish stock assessments and health indicators derived from diet composition and gut microbiome studies.
   • Species richness and distribution data from amphibian biodiversity surveys and environmental DNA analyses.
   • Habitat suitability and biodiversity vulnerability projections under environmental change scenarios.
2. Indicators Related to SDG 13
   • Modeling outcomes of climate change impacts on species distribution and ecosystem health.
3. Indicators Related to SDG 9
   • Use of machine learning and molecular tools as measures of technological advancement in ecological research.
4. Indicators Related to SDG 17
   • Number and quality of engagements between scientists and policymakers.
   • Implementation of evidence-based policy recommendations derived from scientific research.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: thedig.howard.edu