Professional Overview
Scientific Papers
Van Houdt, S., Brown, R. P., and Traill, L. W., (2021)
Stakeholder attitudes toward the incentives used to mitigate human-elephant conflict in southern Africa: a news media content analysis. Journal for Nature Conservation, 61, 125982.
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Van Houdt, S., Wanger, T. C., Brown, R. P., Twine, W., Fynn, R., Uiseb, K., Cooney, R., Traill, L. W., (2021)
Divergent views on trophy hunting in Africa, and what this may mean for research and policy. Conservation Letters, 14 (6), e12840.
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Van Houdt, S. and Traill, L. W., (2022)
A synthesis of human conflict with an African megaherbivore; the common hippopotamus. Frontiers in Conservation Science, 3, 954722.
To be published in 2022: Van Houdt, S., Hopcraft, G. C., Nelli, L., Dutton, C. L., Subalusky, A. L., Kihwele, E.S., Morrison, T.A. (2022)
River crossings of the Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem: How wildebeest trade-off risks against resources.
Journal of Animal Ecology.
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To be published in 2022: Dias, A. S., van Houdt, S., Meschin, K., Poncet, R., Sanfilippo, M., Downs, K. G., von Stackelberg, K., Baldarelli, L., Luuk, M., Paju, J., Bottagisio, E., Miilvee, I., Kebabci, A., Kasak, K., Bago, M., Levers, O., Karnauskaite, D. (2022).
Using essential biodiversity variables (EBVs) to assess forest ecosystem integrity and support climate
Education
2020 — 2021 Glasgow, UK
MSc Conservation Management of African Ecosystems, University of Glasgow, Distinction (A3 – 91%)
Modules like GIS, programming in R, spatial ecology, protected area management, human dimensions of conservation, conservation economics and statistics.
2017 — 2020 Liverpool, UK
BSc Wildlife Conservation, Liverpool John Moores University, First (1st year 76%, 2nd year 79%, 3rd year 80%)
Modules included methods such as Phase 1 habitat surveys, water vole surveys, bat detection through ultrasound analyses, and computer-based statistical analyses.
Relevant Experience
2021 — Present
Biodiversity and Natural Climate Solutions Expert, Single.Earth
A start-up company creating the first nature-backed cryptocurrency to support the conservation of lands by creating a digital twin.
As part of the science team, I developed methods to create a digital twin of the world’s ecosystem integrity through software like QGIS, R, Python and GEE. All projects are backed by scientific research.
2020
Intern Machine Learning, Liverpool John Moores University
A project lead by Dr S. Wich to develop deep learning software.
Gained experience in machine learning used for camera trapping and drone data.
June 2019
Intern Researcher, Limpopo Lipadi Game and Wilderness Reserve
Collected data on elephant mitigation methods for my dissertation during a 4-week internship.
Gained experience using camera traps, VHF tracking, analysing elephant behaviour, driving a four-wheel drive, leading a volunteer group, and teaching MS Office Excel.
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July 2018
Volunteer, Chipangali
A month of volunteering with sick, injured or confiscated wild animals.
Zoological feeding experience with many species, such as leopards, rabbits, and warthogs.
Assisted in everyday maintenance work such as fencing, repairing fences, chopping down invasive tree species, controlling daily wildfires, and creating enrichment for the animals.
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August 2014
Volunteer, Arcas Rescue Centre
A valuable month of experience working with and rehabilitating wild animals.
Assisted in veterinary procedures, such as blood samples and vaccinations.
Gained animal handling experience with animals such as otters and storks.
Everyday maintenance, including sweeping paths, collecting food, fishing, and repairing fences.