Scholars complete NbS to Global Challenges Foundation Course

Congratulations to the October 2025 cohort who have just completed our Nature-based Solutions to Global Challenges Foundation Course! December 19, 2025

Congratulations to the brilliant cohort who have just completed our Nature-based Solutions to Global Challenges Foundation Course October 2025!

Over the past 8 weeks, the group have participated in lectures, workshops and discussions led by subject experts, unpacking the science, policy, economics, governance, and financing of nature-based solutions.

Here, the winners of the highly competitive full and partial scholarships share their background and why they chose to apply for the NbS Foundation Course.

Silvana Castro

Silvana Castro is an Environmental Engineer at the National Water Institute of Argentina, where she works on water quality monitoring, surface-water and effluent analysis, and process modelling to support decision-making. With experience leading multidisciplinary projects involving geologists, biologists, and engineers, she focuses on synthesizing scientific data into actionable recommendations for government and stakeholders. She applied to the NbS Foundation Course to strengthen her ability to design and implement Nature-based Solutions for water and environmental management in Argentina and Latin America.

Sorely Calixto Peñafiel

Sorely has over 15 years of experience specializing in designing, managing, and monitoring programs and projects that promote technological development and innovation in value chains. Her focus is on turning sustainability and innovation strategies into operational realities and measurable value creation for people and nature.

For Sorely, Nature-based Solutions are a systemic approach that require the integration of science, policy, practice, resourcing, and governance. She was motivated to apply for this course to exchange knowledge with peers and explore synergies in shared journey towards effective implementation and impact.

Frances Michelle C. Nubla

Michelle Nubla is a sociologist whose work focuses on environment, governance, gender, and inclusive development. She is currently piloting a science-based mangrove nursery project in a coastal community using a participatory management approach. Through the NbS Foundation Course, she hoped to deepen her understanding of NbS practices and strengthen her capacity to contribute to evidence-based, community-driven strategies for resilience in coastal communities highly exposed to typhoons.

Yi Yung

Yi Yung is a Chartered Accountant with experience in audit and taxation, now transitioning into sustainability with a focus on climate reporting and assurance. He recently joined an impact-driven startup supporting sustainability projects with a global humanitarian NGO and a digital assets rating agency. He is passionate about the role of faith-based organisations (FBOs) in climate action, emphasizing the interconnectedness of consciousness, well-being, and natural ecosystems, while also exploring how emerging technologies such as blockchain, AI, and quantum computing can shape sustainable futures. He is currently exploring ways to bridge NbS with practical sustainability strategies, helping NGOs, SMEs and FBOs in Southeast Asia achieve measurable impact.

Fithrothul Khikmah

Fithrothul Khikmah has a background in geospatial science and has worked on projects linking urban development and conservation. Since 2018, she has utilized spatial data and modelling to analyse landscape structure and ecosystem function, including land cover monitoring, managing GIS platforms for biodiversity, and developing roadmaps for primary forest conservation in the Asia-Pacific region. She i currently pursuing a PhD in landscape ecology, focusing on data-driven management and the interactions between social and ecological systems. Her research extends across fine, river basin, and ecoregional scales to understand how spatial patterns and ecological processes interact to identify priority areas and actions. She applied for the NbS Foundation Course to advance her expertise in connecting ecological understanding with practice, particularly how spatial heterogeneity and ecological flows can inform the placement and design of Nature-based Solutions that enhance the resilience of both ecosystems and communities. She is most interested in engaging with NbS experts and fellow participants, and learning from diverse cases across the globe.

Juriko Rupay

Juriko Rupay is a Peruvian biologist with nearly ten years of experience in biodiversity conservation in the Amazon rainforest. She currently serves as a Species Conservation Officer at WWF Peru, where she leads initiatives that promote wildlife conservation, improve the well-being of Amazonian communities, and strengthen cross-sector collaboration for long-term sustainability. She joined the NbS Foundation Course to learn how NbS can enhance the impact and scalability of the initiatives that she implements, particularly within the framework of long-term, holistic strategies that integrate climate adaptation and financial sustainability.

Maureen Bett

Maureen Bett works with the Nairobi City County Government in the Department of Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change, where she is actively engaged in promoting sustainable urban development and climate resilience. She is passionate about advancing Nature-based Solutions (NbS) as a pathway to building healthier, more liveable cities.

Maureen holds an Undergraduate degree in Environmental Community Development and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Soil Conservation. In her professional role, Maureen has actively contributed to community-driven environmental programs that promote conservation awareness and citizen participation in greening initiatives. Her strong interest in urban biodiversity and green infrastructure reflects her belief that sustainable cities must be co-created with communities, ensuring inclusivity and long-term impact.

Driven by the urgent need to address climate change and urban vulnerabilities, Maureen is committed to developing practical, scalable, and inclusive approaches that balance ecological integrity with human well-being. Her vision is to contribute to the transformation of Nairobi and other cities into resilient, sustainable, and equitable spaces where people and nature thrive together.

Henintsoa Rahajarimanana

Henintsoa Rahajarimanana is a sustainability practitioner and former hydraulic engineer from Madagascar with extensive experience in developing and promoting Nature-based Solutions (NbS), and integrating and advancing sustainability standards within national infrastructure policies. He currently serves as a Sustainable Infrastructure Specialist with WWF Madagascar, where he supports the promotion of sustainable practices across projects. Motivated by the opportunity to learn directly from world-class experts, he applied for the Nature-based Solutions to Global Challenges Foundation Course at the University of Oxford, where he looks forward to gaining high-quality insights and lessons from leading practitioners to further strengthen the design and implementation of NbS for biodiversity conservation and community resilience in Madagascar.

Asim Haider

Asim Haider is a conservation professional with over two years of experience in biodiversity research, ecological restoration, and community-based conservation in Pakistan. He holds an MSc in Forestry from the Pakistan Forest Institute, University of Peshawar, with research focused on human–wildlife conflict in Chitral. At WWF-Pakistan, he has worked on projects ranging from floodplain restoration and forest fire early warning systems to species monitoring and human–wildlife conflict mitigation. His core interests include nature-based solutions, ecological assessments, and climate resilience. Motivated by the urgent need for sustainable approaches to conservation, he applied for the NbS Foundation Course to strengthen his knowledge and contribute to advancing NbS implementation in vulnerable communities.

 

We look forward to seeing how all of the participants take their knowledge of nature-based solutions forwards

 

Apply for the next run of the NbS to Global Challenges Foundation Course (April 2025) here.