MEET OUR TEAM
Wasseem Emam
Director & Lead ResearcherWasseem is an aquatic ecologist with over 12 years of experience across the fisheries and aquaculture sector. He holds advanced degrees in applied aquatic ecology & is completing his doctorate on the welfare of farmed Nile tilapia at the University of Stirling in the UK.
Faisal Qureshi
Director of Global OperationsFaisal’s background is in operations management in both the humanitarian and animal welfare sectors. He has an MBA from the University of Northampton in the UK and is currently pursuing further education in Animal Welfare. He has successfully led Healthier Hens' project on improving hen welfare for the last 1.5 years.
Mohamed Bakr
Country Manager — EgyptMohamed Bakr is an aquaculture expert with extensive experience managing fish farms. Hailing from the Kafr El-Sheikh region in Egypt where most of the country's fish production takes place, he is well-versed in the local farming context. He continues to supervise a number of the Egyptian Army's shrimp farming projects.
Valerie Monckton
Research ManagerValerie is a passionate animal behaviorist, with an MSc in Animal Behaviour & Welfare from the University of Guelph. As a published first author of three peer-reviewed articles, she combines her expertise with three years of animal advocacy experience, supporting the research and editing efforts of seven organizations.
Proscovia Alando
Head of Marketing & CommunicationsProscovia Alando is a social entrepreneur dedicated to promoting food and nutrition security in Africa. With her expertise in aquaculture, she consults fish farmers and excels in marketing and communication within the seafood industry. Proscovia holds an MSc in Sustainable Aquaculture from the University of Stirling
Jacob Prah
Research OfficerWith nearly a decade of experience in international & local charities, Jacob enhances programs through research and data in the seafood sector. He volunteered as a researcher for the Shrimp Welfare Projects and his goal is evidence-based policies for aquatic animal well-being. He holds an MSc in Agricultural Economics
Abdulrahman Banisheyba
Research Fellow — Blue Economy Policy LiaisonAbdul, a Tanzanian social entrepreneur, merges academic expertise in Economics, International Relations, and Coastal Management. He researches autonomous region participation in national plans, collaborating with Zanzibar's research institute. Passionate about sustainability and positive change
Dr. Maureen Luvanda
Postdoctoral ResearcherDr. Luvanda, a skilled infectious disease researcher, and holds a distinguished academic background with a Doctorate from The Medical University of Innsbruck. With 10+ years of international research, she contributes to academia, participates in conferences, and advocates for animal welfare, feminism, and leadership.
Dr. Bevin Meyer
In-house Veterinarian and Animal Welfare OfficerBevin Meyer (BVSc, MSc) is a passionate veterinarian from Johannesburg, South Africa. She holds a veterinary degree from Onderstepoort and an MSc in Animal Welfare from the University of Edinburgh. Alongside her private practice, she serves as the chairperson of the South African Veterinary Association.
Isabel Fife-Cook
Research ConsultantIsabel has an MA in Animal Studies from New York University, focusing on fish welfare. As an aquatics specialist, she aims to improve cyprinid welfare. Passionate about underserved species, she plans to continue veterinary research for scientific advancement.