Shadrach Kerwillain, MPhil

Shadrach Kerwillian, a conservation biologist, grew up in Liberia on a picturesque peninsula surrounded by a lush mangrove forest, from which he can trace his fascination for the natural world. He has a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Liberia and a master’s degree in conservation leadership from the University of Cambridge. He has more than a decade of experience working on biodiversity conservation and environmental issues spanning the biological and social sciences, including protected area management, transboundary conservation issues, forest governance, REDD+, community-based natural resource management, and capacity development. Before joining the doctoral program at RCC, he served as landscape manager for Fauna & Flora International, working primarily in southeastern Liberia, where he engaged with the government, rural forest communities, and private sector actors to promote the adoption of sustainable landscape management practices. His research interest lies in balancing conservation and development through practical solutions that work for people and the environment. He is committed to environmental sustainability within a paradigm that acknowledges human needs as essential for long-term success. Shadrach enjoys reading, listening to music, walking, swimming, and playing football in his free time.

Dissertation project: Fragments of the Forest: Hot Zones, Disease Ecologies, and the Changing Landscape of Environment and Health in West Africa