About me
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I studied medical sciences between 1999 and 2002. Since then, I moved to environmental sciences, earning my BSc and MSc at the University of Tehran. In 2008, I joined the Conservation of Asiatic Cheetah Project, a joint effort by the Iran Department of Environment and UNDP/Global Environment Facility (GEF) as the project deputy until 2011. Then, I moved to the UK to start my DPhil at the University of Oxford. In 2018, I joined Oxford Martin School as research fellow, working on analytical methods to improve understanding of wider factors affecting biodiversity conservation (largely of megafauna) in west and central Asia considering environmental resources and cross-border conservation, with the goal of leveraging biodiversity conservation in this region of the world. In 2022, I joined the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent as the lecturer in conservation science.
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In 2004, I married to Fatemeh Hosseini-Zavarei, a great carnivore biologist and incredible supporter. We have two lovely kids, Iman (boy) and Samin (girl), both very keen in outdoor and nature-based activities.
Research interests
Movement and spatial ecology
Tracking data, habitat analyses, dispersal and connectivity
Rewilding and restoration
Single species or multispecies conservation planning, ex situ planning, translocation and post-release monitoring
Population and community ecology
Drivers of population changes across time and space, intra and inter-specific interaction, occupancy modelling
Interdisciplinary analysis of conservation geopolitics
Socioeconomic drivers of conservation performance, human-wildlife conflict, treaties and conventions, transboundary conservation
Awards
Future for Nature Award 2009
Future for Nature Award 2009
Future for Nature Award 2009
Received from Sir David Attenborough
National Youth Award 2010
Future for Nature Award 2009
Future for Nature Award 2009
Iran National Youth Organization
Cat Conservation Prize 2012
Future for Nature Award 2009
Cat Conservation Prize 2012
Prize for Next Generation in Cat Conservation
Distinguished student of year 2011
Distinguished student of year 2011
Distinguished student of year 2011
University of Tehran, Faculty of Natural Resources
National Environment Award 2006
Distinguished student of year 2011
Distinguished student of year 2011
Received as the CEO of Iranian Cheetah Society
“Bavar Award” 2015
Distinguished student of year 2011
“Bavar Award” 2015
For Elite Scientific Competition in Europe, Russia & CIS for Iranian students