OMAR SALIM I.M

Biological Scientist

About

A highly accomplished Biological Scientist with extensive hands-on experience in wildlife diagnostics, ecological monitoring, and community engagement. Proficient in GIS mapping, field data collection, and technical reporting, Omar is passionate about advancing climate resilience, mitigating human-wildlife conflict, and fostering sustainable livelihoods through collaborative conservation initiatives. Possessing a strong foundation in biological sciences, he excels at leveraging scientific methodologies to drive impactful environmental and agricultural solutions.

Work Experience

Veterinary lab/field Assistant

Shangani Holistic Ranch

Aug 2023 - Aug 2024

Zimbabwe, ZW

As a Veterinary Lab/Field Assistant, Omar conducted wildlife disease diagnostics, supported ecological monitoring, and facilitated community engagement to mitigate human-wildlife conflict.

  • Conducted comprehensive wildlife disease diagnostics and accurately documented human-wildlife conflict incidents, providing critical data for targeted intervention strategies.
  • Supported ecological monitoring efforts by collecting and analyzing tissue and blood samples for pathogen screening, significantly enhancing disease surveillance capabilities.
  • Facilitated stakeholder workshops with game scouts and community leaders, collaboratively developing and implementing effective human-wildlife conflict mitigation measures.
  • Assisted in wildlife blood collection, precise measurement, and collaring activities, generating valuable data for monitoring and observing wildlife heat maps and movement patterns.

lab/Field assistant

Kutsaga Research

Jun 2019 - Jul 2023

Harare, Harare, ZW

As a Lab/Field Assistant, Omar conducted extensive entomological and plant pathology surveys, utilized GIS for mapping, and collaborated on climate-smart pest management initiatives.

  • Executed comprehensive entomological and plant pathology surveys across Zimbabwe, accurately identifying key crop pest hotspots and disease prevalence.
  • Utilized GPS units and QGIS to precisely map crop pest hotspots and wildlife corridors, providing critical spatial data for targeted agricultural and conservation interventions.
  • Collaborated effectively with extension officers and farmers in climate-smart pest management training sessions, enhancing local capacity and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
  • Performed DNA extraction and identification of pathogens for disease diagnosis, contributing to accurate and timely disease management strategies in agricultural settings.
  • Conducted tissue culturing and inoculation for disease trials and research, advancing scientific understanding of plant disease resistance and treatment methodologies.

Education

Biological Science

Bindura University Of Science Education

Aug 2016 - Dec 2022

Bindura, Bindura, ZW

Courses

  • Diversity of life
  • Biotechnology
  • Ecology
  • Entomology and Parasitology
  • Animal Physiology
  • Botany
  • Virology
  • Microbiology
  • Advanced Genetics
  • Cell and Molecular Biology

Projects

Indigenous Tree Nursery Development

Aug 2024 - Present

A self-initiated project focused on developing sustainable indigenous tree nurseries to support local reforestation efforts and carbon sequestration.

Skills

GIS & Remote Sensing

  • ArcGIS
  • QGIS
  • Google Earth Engine
  • GPS units
  • GIS mapping
  • spatial data analysis

Molecular Diagnostics & Pathology

  • PCR
  • gel electrophoresis
  • microbial culturing
  • DNA extraction
  • pathogen identification
  • disease diagnosis
  • tissue culturing
  • inoculation

Field Data Collection & Analysis

  • Excel
  • survey design
  • field data collection
  • data analysis
  • tissue sampling
  • blood sampling

Conservation Science

  • human-wildlife conflict assessment
  • biodiversity monitoring
  • ecological monitoring
  • wildlife diagnostics
  • collaring
  • reforestation
  • ecosystem services evaluation

Climate Adaptation

  • vulnerability assessments
  • climate resilience

Reporting & Communication

  • technical summaries
  • policy briefs
  • stakeholder presentations
  • technical reporting
  • community engagement
  • training sessions

Project Management & Development

  • propagation protocols
  • monitoring frameworks
  • nursery establishment
  • seed collection
  • project design
  • project implementation

References

Prof C Zvidzai

Head of Department in Biological Science, Bindura University Of Science Education | [email protected] | +263784148833

Dr G Zvobgo

Head of Biotechnology and Innovation, Kutsaga Research | [email protected] | +263771366541

Dr Nyakonda

Veterinary, Shangani Holistic Ranch | [email protected] | +263775794522