Focus on Fellows – Dr. Brad Hounkpati
“My field of research is very difficult. It takes on average 7 years to train native English speakers (US) to become insect taxonomist. I lost nearly 3 years of my doctoral research because of lack of funding to conduct research on West African Coccinellidae. But thanks to the WARC travel grant in 2013/2014, I was able to start my field work in May 2014 – after being admitted into the doctoral program in May 2011. If I did not get this WARC grant, maybe I would not be here today – about to defend my dissertation* (after nearly 5 of intense research – combined with nonprofit leadership work). I wanted to get this work done back in 2005, but it had not been possible or started until Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013, 11:44 AM, time when I initially sent my WARA application.”
– Brad Hounkpati, WARC Travel Grantee 2013/14
*Dr. Hounkpati received his Phd in 2019