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Membership type: full

Jackie Epila

Country of origin: Uganda Currently in: Uganda, Lira General field of specialization: Chemical Sciences
Early Career Fellowship
Academic Background

Degrees

2016 Doctorate Biological Systems and Organisms
2012 Master Engineering sciences
2008 Undergraduate Chemical Sciences
Research and Profession

Current Research Activities

Biological Systems and Organisms

1. Agronomical potential, ecophysiology, and phytochemistry of two wild edible leafy vegetables of the Lango and Acholi sub-regions of Northern Uganda (PI) 2. Establishing a Botanical Garden at Lira University (Co-PI) 3. Recycling polythene bags (kaveera) to fuel (paraffin) via pyrolysis (Mentor)


Publications resulting from Research: 


1. De Meyer E, Kibungu P, Epila J. (2023) The urban jungle, an unexplored habitat for neglected and indigenous plant diversity. Tropentag Hybrid Conference on Competing pathways for equitable food systems transformation: Trade-offs and synergies, Germany. Book of Abstracts. https://www.tropentag.de/2023/abstracts/links/De_Meyer_G1wE2UQ5.pdf
2. Hubeau M, Mincke J, Vanhove C, Gorel AP, Fayolle A, Epila J, Leroux O, Vandenberghe S, Steppe K. (2019) 11C-autoradiographs to image phloem loading. Frontiers in Forests and Global Change. DOI: 10.3389/ffgc.2019.00020.
3. Epila J, Hubeau M, Steppe K. (2018) Drought Effects on Photosynthesis and Implications of Photoassimilate Distribution in 11C-Labeled Leaves in the African Tropical Tree Species Maesopsis eminii Engl. Forests 9: 109.
4. Epila J, De Baerdemaeker NJF, Vergeynst LL, Maes WH, Beeckman H, Steppe K. (2017) Capacitive water release and internal leaf water relocation delay drought-induced cavitation in African Maesopsis eminii. Tree Physiology. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/treephys/tpw128.
5. Epila J, Maes WH, Verbeeck H, Van Camp J, Okullo JBL, Steppe K. (2017) Plant Measurements on African tropical Maesopsis eminii seedlings contradict pioneering water use behaviour. Journal of Environmental and Experimental Botany 135:27-37.
6. Epila J, Verbeeck H, Otim-Epila T, Okullo P, Kearsley E, Steppe K. (2017) The ecology of Maesopsis eminii Engl. in tropical Africa. Journal of African Ecology. DOI: 10.1111/aje.12408.
7. Epila J. (2016) Ecophysiological assessment of drought vulnerability of the African tropical tree species Maesopsis eminii Engl. Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent Belgium. http://hdl.handle.net/1854/LU-8501422
8. Reyer C, Brouwers N, Rammig A, Brook B, Epila J, Grant RF, Holmgren M, Langerwisch F, Leuzinger S, Lucht W, Medlyn B, Pfeiffer M, Steinkamp J, Vanderwel M, Verbeeck H, Villela D. (2015) Forest resilience and tipping points at different Spatio-temporal scales: approaches and challenges. Journal of Ecology 103: 5-15.
9. Epila J, Verbeeck H, Okullo JBL, Steppe K. (2015) Physio-morphological growth dynamics of equatorial Maesopsis eminii seedlings indicate drought stress vulnerability and resilience. International Symposium on Wood science underpinning tropical forest ecology and management, 26-29/5/2015. Book of abstracts pp 30-31.
10. Epila J. (2012) Exploration of a novel technique to measure water use in climbing plants.
https://lib.ugent.be/catalog/rug01:001894365 (Master’s Thesis)



Current profession

Current professional activities type: 
Research
Administration
Teaching
Chemistry Lecturer, teaching organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, environmental chemistry, aromantic chemistry, laboratory management and spectroscopy. Principal Investigator for a project funded by: UNESCO-OWSD (2024-2026) UGENT GLOBAL MINDS FUND SRS 2023 (2023-2024) VLIR-UOS SI (2023-2025) VIB-IPBO SRS 2023 Co-Principal Investigator and Mentor for 2 projects funded by Uganda Government-Lira University Research and Innovation Fund (LURIF) Acting Head, Department of Science and Vocational Education, Faculty of Education, Lira University Mentor students and staff

Workshop and Conference Attended

2023 VIB-IPBO, Ghent Belgium and Alliance for Science, Ithaca, NY. Speaking Science (Online)
2023 EMBA Hall, Lira University HEAC Joint Support and Monitoring, FAWE-UGANDA
2023 VIB-IPBO, Belgium Tips and Tricks to Obtain Your Own Funding (Online)
2023 Lira University, Uganda, Lira University EDJAM International Conference
2023 VIB-IPBO, Belgium Negotiate with Success (Online)
2023 iGent Building, Ardoyen Campus, Ghent University, Belgium ODFP Symposium
2023 iGent Building, Ardoyen Campus, Ghent University, Belgium Exploring Funding Opportunities for Flemish-African Research and Educational Partnerships through the Open Doors Fellowship Program,
2023 AA-Tower, Ardoyen Campus, Ghent University, Belgium Rethinking Workplace Practices: Prevention of Sexual Harassment in (inter)national Research Centres
2023 AA-Tower, Ardoyen Campus, Ghent University, Belgium Present with Power
2023 Vergaderzaal 1.1, Ardoyen Campus, Ghent University, Belgium Cross-Cultural Competence for Leaders Accelerating Sustainable Growth
2023 WIN5 Hotel, Kampala Uganda 14th Research and Education Network for Uganda Annual General Meeting
2023 Uganda Parliament Presentation of the Lira University Ministerial Policy Statement FY 2023/2024 to Parliamentary Committee on Education and Sports
2023 Hotel Pauline, Lira Uganda Clinical Teaching and Assessment Methods, CIRHT, Michigan University & Lira University
2023 Lira University Uganda mWater Surveyor and Portal App training for water supply monitoring in Lira
2023 Uganda Parliament Presentation of the Lira University Budget Framework Paper (BFP) FY2023/2024 to Parliamentary Committee on Education and Sports
2022 Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort, Uganda Renewable Energy Conference 2022 (REC22) and Expo: Renewable Energy for Sustainable Industrialization, Inclusive Growth, and Economic Recovery
2022 Imperial Royal Hotel, Kampala, Uganda FAWE Uganda Chapter Silver Jubilee Fundraising Dinner
2022 Faculty of Education, Lira University, Uganda Turnitin and Searching Databases training, Lira University Library Team
2022 EMBA Hall, Lira University Establishment of a technology and innovation support centre (TISC), Uganda Registration Service Bureau (URSB)
2022 Hotel Africana, Uganda 4th Annual Higher Education Conference, Theme: Enhancement of teaching, learning and assessment with Open and Distance eLearning (ODeL) in Higher Education
2022 Online Stakeholders Consultative Workshop on Developed Minimum Standards for Physics and Chemistry Programme, NCHE (Zoom meeting)
2022 Public Health Boardroom, Lira University Examination Management
2022 Gracious Hotel, Lira, Uganda Human Subject Protection in Research, CIRHT, Michigan University & Lira University
2022 Public Health Boardroom, Lira University Curriculum Design and Development for the Higher Education Access Certificate Programme-FAWE Uganda Chapter,
2021 Lira University Human Capital Management (HCM) System, Ministry of Public Service
2021 Online Working in ICT Driven Higher & Tertiary Education Spaces [Data Collection and Analysis using Survey Monkey & Google Forms, and a Review of Marking Online], Association of African Universities (AAU)
2021 Online Mentoring Pedagogy, Teaching, and Application of ICT Tools for Online Teaching and Learning: Google Classroom, Association of African Universities (AAU)
2021 Online Strengthening the Chemical Society in Uganda, Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation
2021 Online Africa Day Higher Education. Theme: Arts, Culture, and Heritage-Levers for building the Africa we want. Subthemes: SDGs, entrepreneurship, STEM, Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 2016-2025), AAU
2021 Online iThenticate (Turnitin), Research Education Network for Uganda (RENU) and eiffelcorp
2021 Lira University, Uganda Public Procurement and Disposal Procedures
2020 Online Effective Teaching and Learning During and Post COVID-19, Cavendish University Kampala, Uganda
2020 Faculty of Education, Lira University Pedagogy in University Education
2020 Lira University Mainstreaming Environment and Sustainable Development Issues in University Academic and Non-Academic Programmes-UNESCO
2016 Brussels, Belgium Affordable Smart Farming Solutions for Africa: The Next Driver for African Agriculture, Brussels Development Briefing 45
2015 Koninklijke Academie voor Nederlandse Taal en Letterkunde, Koningstraat Ghent, Belgium. 9th Symposium of the Ghent Africa Platform
2015 Royal Library, Brussels, Belgium 9th Belgian Plant Biotechnology Association symposium (BPBA)
2013 Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium International closing symposium of the XYLAREDD project.
2023 Staff Boardroom, Faculty of Education, Lira University Review of Lira University HEAC Program Curricula using the New NCHE Guidelines, FAWE-UG Chapter, 10th & 11th Dec.
2024 Pauline Hotel, Lira Uganda, Refresher training course on Research Ethics for Lira University Research and Ethics Committee, 8th-10th Jan.
2014-2015 Ghent University Belgium. Communication Skills Basics & Conflict Handling
2014-2015 Ghent University Belgium. Certificate in Creative Thinking
2012-2013 Ghent University Belgium. Effective Oral Presentations
2024 Imperial Royal Hotel, Kampala, Uganda Old Girls’ Association of Nabisunsa, Main Entrance Fundraising Dinner Dance Gala

Affiliations

Lira University
Lira University
Lira University
Lira University
Ghent Students Network and International Students (ISAG)
Belgian Plant Biotechnology Association
Ghent University Faculty of Bioscience Engineering Academic Club
Ontmoeting Buitenlandse Studenten Gent (OBSG)
British Ecological Society
Centre for Environmental Science and Technology (CES&T) Ghent University, Belgium
Nabisunsa Girls School, Kampala Uganda
Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), Uganda Chapter

Presentation given

2023
The urban jungle, an unexplored habitat for neglected and indigenous plant diversity.
Germany
Event: Tropentag Hybrid Conference on Competing pathways for equitable food systems transformation: Trade-offs and synergies
2022
Restoration of carbon in a degraded Savannah woodland ecosystem using Pinus caribaea.
Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort, Uganda
Event: Renewable Energy Conference 2022 (REC22) and Expo: Renewable Energy for Sustainable Industrialization, Inclusive Growth, and Economic Recovery
2015
Physio-morphological growth dynamics of equatorial Maesopsis eminii seedlings indicate drought stress vulnerability and resilience.
Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium
Event: International Symposium on Wood science underpinning tropical forest ecology and management
2015
Combining acoustic emissions, positron emission tomography, and microscopy to understand drought-stress responses of Africa’s tropical forests: A case study of Ugandan Maesopsis eminii Engl. seedlings.
Ghent Belgium
Event: 9th Symposium of the Ghent Africa Platform
2015
The non-food tree crop Maesopsis eminii Engl. investigated with positron emission tomography (PET) and acoustic emissions (AE): A case of technology transfer
Royal Library, Brussels, Belgium.
Event: 9th Belgian Plant Biotechnology Association symposium (BPBA).
2013
Drought vulnerability and resilience of Maesopsis eminii.
Excel London, UK
Event: 11th INTECOL Congress 2013, British Ecological Society UK.
2012
Nieuwsbrief Aelmoseneiebos, Nieuw Onderzoek
Event:
Prizes, Grants and Awards

Other Awards

Sep 2023
Global Minds Fund SRS-2023, Ghent University Belgium (Sept. 2023- Sept. 2024)
To enable me to conduct phytochemical analyses on a wild leafy vegetable for a maximum of 3-months at Ghent University
May 2023
VLIR-UOS SI 2023 (2023-2025)
To conduct research titled: Conserving the past, nourishing the future: unlocking the agronomical potential of traditional food systems in Northern Uganda with two famine crops. The collaborating partners are Ghent University, Belgium, and, Lira University.
Jun 2023
3rd place Certificate of Recognition for a 3-minute pitch
Awarded during the Present with Power workshop by VIB-IPBO and the Floor Is Yours, Ghent Belgium
Mar 2023
Open Door Fellowship Programme (Cohort Beta), VIB-IPBO and Ghent University, Belgium
A retooling and skilling fellowship
Jul 2019
Elsevier Reviewer Certificate of Recognition
Journal of Global Ecology and Conservation, Amsterdam, NL.
Nov 2016
Ghent University Ph.D. Scholarship, Belgium
To complete my Ph.D.
Jun 2012
VLIR-UOS ICP Ph.D. Scholarship, Belgium (2012-2016)
This enabled me to pursue my Ph.D.
Dec 2024
Ghent University Research Fund for Pre-Doctoral Researchers (CWO-fund), Belgium.
Facilitated my stay in the UK during the INTECOL 2013 Congress, Excel London
Dec 2024
Parkyn Bursary, British Ecological Society, UK.
Travel grant to attend the INTECOL 2013 Congress, Excel London, UK
Dec 2024
VLIR-UOS South-to-South Travel Grant, Belgium (2021; Declined)
To conduct research in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Due to unavoidable circumstances at the time this was never realised.
Dec 2024
VLIR-UOS ICP Masters' Scholarship, Belgium (2010-2012)
Funding for my MSc. degree at Ghent University, Belgium
Dec 2024
Uganda Government Scholarship (2004-2007)
Funding for my BSc. degree at Makerere University, Uganda
Dec 2024
Mathematical Society National Contest, Uganda (2003)
For participating in the contest
Dec 2024
French Club (Internal Coordinator), Nabisunsa Girls' School, Uganda (2003)
Being a member and Internal Coordinator of the French Club at Nabisunsa Girls' School, Uganda
Dec 2024
Nabisunsa Girls' School Best Performer (UCE-UNEB) Bursary, Uganda (2002)
For being one of the top students in NabisunsaGirls' School during Uganda Certificate of Education-Uganda National Examinations Board
Nov 2023
Uganda Government-Lira University Research and Innovation Fund (LURIF) (Ref/RG/2023/10) (Mentor).
Recycling polythene bags (kaveera) to fuel (paraffin) via pyrolysis.
Nov 2023
Uganda Government-Lira University Research and Innovation Fund (LURIF) (Ref/RG/2023/16) (Co-PI).
Establishing a Botanical Garden at Lira University.
Fellowship with OWSD

Fellowship with OWSD

Fellowship with OWSD

Fellowship awarded

Early Career Fellowship awarded 2023

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