I am an Associate Professor in Microbiology at the Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, University of Abomey-Calavi in Benin. My work focuses on combating antimicrobial resistance in Africa, and I am particularly interested in molecular microbiology, hygiene, and public health. As a West African scientist, I am also deeply committed to scientific diplomacy, and have established a broad network of global collaborators to support my efforts in improving public health and eradicating infectious diseases in my country. I am a founding member of the Research Unit in Applied Microbiology and Pharmacology of natural substances, Research Laboratory in Applied Biology, Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, University of Abomey-Calavi, and serve as the President of the Academy of Young Scientists of Benin. Additionally, I am the Country Ambassador of the American Society for Microbiology in Benin and a member of the Global Young Academy, as well as a young affiliate of the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS). Over the years, my academic career has been enriched through participation in numerous international workshops and symposia.

I am Valère SALAKO. I am Beninese and I am 32 years old. I hold a PhD in Life sciences, major Plant Ecology and Conservation (2016), a Master in Biostatistics (2017), a Master in Natural Resources and Biodiversity Management, and an Agricultural Engineer degree (2011). I am currently researcher and lecturer at the Faculty of Agronomic Siences, University of Abomey-Calavi and the scientific coordinator of the Laboratory of Biomathematics and Forest Estimations of that University. My research interests are threefold: Forest methods and Biostatistics (plot size optimization and multivariate methods for plant community data analyses); Population & community ecology (synergistic effect of Non-timber forest products harvest and climatic conditions on population structure and demography of plants, plant-animal interactions, plant-plant interactions, forest community ecology, and climate change); Biodiversity, ecosystems services & conservation of plants in traditional agroforestry systems (focus on parklands and home-gardens). Ecosystems of interest are natural forests (woodland, semi-deciduous dense forests, and mangroves), and agroforestry systems (parklands, farmlands and homegardens).