Elisa Panjang has just recently completed her Master of Science in Ecological Processes from Universiti Malaysia Sabah. Her interest in biology and environmental science led her to work and study with DGFC. She chose to study with DGFC for three reasons: first, because it is interdisciplinary, which she thought will allow her to gain broad knowledge in the field; second, it is dynamic, where she gets the opportunity to work with positive and determined researchers and staffs; and third, she liked the education component, which she thought would allow her to learn and prepare her to educate others about wildlife and conservation.
While doing her BSc in Conservation Biology, Elisa’s supervisors were the ones who always exposed her to great research work. She got involved in it and slowly became interested. She also believes that her country needs to better protect its wildlife and forest, and she wants to be part of this noble job, to do great research and educate people on the importance of wildlife and forest.
Elisa’s work will contribute to the preservation of the Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica), as well as providing important scientific information to better plan the species management and conservation, not only in Sabah but also in other countries. Looking forward to the future, she sees herself as a respected wildlife biologist and a spirited environmental educator, and continue to protect the wildlife and forest. Elisa has just started her part-time PhD studies at Cardiff University, supervised by Benoît Goossens and Rob Thomas.
Elisa is affiliated to the following organisations:
- Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah
- Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden University
- IUCN-SSC Pangolin Specialist Group
- Sabah Wildlife Department
- Sabah Forestry Department