Elvira Hortense
(Associate Professor)

Dr. Elvira H. Biye is an Associate Professor of Environmental Science, Plant Biodiversity and Conservation at the University of Yaounde I in Yaounde, Cameroon. She earned a PhD in Forest Products Management, Sustainability and Conservation from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg in South Africa. Her teaching and research activities records supervision of students at postgraduate level across the country and over 25 scholars in environmental sciences and forestry have graduated under her mentorship. As some of her field experiences, Biye is a recognized reviewer in various journals by Elsevier; a scoping expert on biodiversity and ecosystem services in IPBES under the United Nations; an assessor and independent consultant in PASC - a European Union strengthening program; president of jury of master students and of the secondary school exams evaluation board and a researcher in the GEF/Biodiversity Project. Moreover, she is member in several professional associations and social groups.
Biye’s current research focuses on conservation strategies, the sustainable use of biodiversity, plant–environment association at various level and plant biosystematics based on morphological, anatomical, chemical and molecular analysis to support identification, naming and classification of plants. She has described two new species of high economic importance in the humid rainforest of Central Africa.
She has been an active member of OWSD since 1990. Now, as National Chapter president, Biye is working towards increasing the number of females in STEM. She is motivated by a strong interest to inspire female scientists especially young ones, in achieving their yearning goal both personally and professionally. Thus, she encourages young girls to participate in scientific activities, capacity building and leadership.