Thiombiano Palamanga Parfait

I am the first year Ph.D. student in the Department of Biological Sciences at University Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, in West Africa under the supervision of Dr Malika Kangoye of the Animal Biology and Ecology lab. My PhD project aims to quantify the ecosystem services provided by insectivorous bats in controlling pest insect populations in agriculture fields. Specifically, I’m investigating the dietary preferences of different bat species and their impact on economically important insect pests. Through a combination of field surveys, dietary analysis, and experimental manipulations, I hope to provide valuable insights into the potential of insectivorous bats as natural pest control agents, potentially reducing the reliance on chemical insecticides and promoting more sustainable agricultural practices.

After completing my undergraduate studies in Biology Science, I pursued a master’s degree in Animal Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation, where I became fascinated by the role of bats in agroecosystems. My master focused on macro-invertebrates as bioindicators of pollution of dams. So, it’s my very first time to work on bats. 

I’m from a small farming community in the eastern region of the country, and I developed a deep appreciation for the delicate balance between agriculture and the natural environment from my young age. So I am giving back by involving in community outreach programs, educating local farmers about the importance of bat conservation and the benefits they provide to agriculture. I hope that my work will not only contribute to scientific knowledge but also inspire a deeper appreciation for the intricate relationships between biodiversity and food production systems in my country.

I get the opportunity to be selected as one of nine students selected to attend West African Small Mammal Fellowship 2024 in Nigeria and I’m so grateful to be a GbatNet representatives. I’m so excited to bring my contribution to enhance the advancement of bats conservation research especially working with communities for the sustainable conservation of bats.