CV_KOWIYOU_YESSOUFOU_25 July 2015

CURRICULUM VITAE — KOWIYOU YESSOUFOU — July 2015
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CURRICULUM VITAE
Dr KOWIYOU YESSOUFOU
Email: yessok@unisa.ac.za / kowiyouyessoufou1@gmail.com
Cell: +27(0) 60 726 8883
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GOOGLE SCHOLAR: update 25th
July 2015
Citation indices All Since 2010
Citations 65 65
h-index 5 5
i10-index 1 1
SOUTH AFRICA’S NRF RATING OF SCIENTISTS
I have applied for 2015 NRF rating (P Category) and my application is currently
under review
P RATING CATEGORY = Young researchers who have held the doctorate or equivalent
qualification for less than five years at the time of application and who, on the basis
of exceptional potential demonstrated in their published doctoral work and/or their research
outputs in their early post-doctoral careers are considered likely to become future leaders in
their field. It is also known as the NRF President’s Award.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
 Phylogenetic Ecology
 Phylogenetics and Plant Systematics/Taxonomy
 Biological invasion
 Extinction risk
 Plant-Animal Interactions
 Climate Change and Biodiversity
 Biogeography
EDUCATION
 Postdoctoral Fellow Evolutionary Ecology, February 2014-January 2016,
University of South Africa, Department of Environmental Sciences, Florida
Campus, Johannesburg, South Africa.
 Postdoctoral Fellow Evolutionary Ecology, May 2012-June 2013, University of
Johannesburg, Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology, Johannesburg,
South Africa.
 Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow in Evolutionary Ecology at Davies’ lab, August
2012, McGill University, Department of Biology, Montreal, Canada.

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 Ph.D. Botany (Evolutionary Ecology), August 2008-May 2012, University of
Johannesburg, South Africa. Project: "Phylogenetic analysis of plant
community assemblages in the Kruger National Park, South Africa". Supervisors:
Prof. Michelle van der Bank (University of Johannesburg, South Africa) and Prof.
Vincent Savolainen (Imperial College London, United Kingdom).
SHORT COURSES
1. 2015, Training in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, 9-13 March 2015, University of
South Africa, Florida Campus, Johannesburg, South Africa. Instructor: Prof.
Jacques Vervoort, Wageningen University.
2. 2011, Trainings in Conservation Biology, Kenyan Wildlife Service Institute, 5-15
January 2011, Kenya. Organizers: Mathematical Biosciences Institute at Ohio
State University (USA) and Center for Discrete Mathematics and Theoretical
Computer Science at Rutgers University (USA).
3. 2010, High Performance Computing in Phylogenetics, University of Tennessee,
13-15 October 2010, Knoxville, USA. Organizer: National Institute for
Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS), USA.
4. 2010, Computing Statistics: Generalized Linear Modeling, Imperial College
London, United Kingdom. Instructor: Prof. MJ Crawley, Imperial College
London, UK.
5. 2002, Certificate in Forest Ecology, Tropical Biology Association, Dpt. Zoology,
Cambridge University, United Kingdom.
SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS IN PEER-REVIEWED JOURNALS
 In Review
1. Barnabas H. Daru, Ben G. Holt, Jean-Philippe Lessard, Kowiyou Yessoufou, T.
Jonathan Davies. A phylogenetic regionalization of marine plants reveals high
relatedness among geographically distant temperate assemblages. Journal of
Ecology.
2. Kowiyou Yessoufou, Kevin Mearns, Hennie Stoffberg. Assessing the
phylogenetic dimension of biological invasion with particular interest on the
introduction stage of invasion process. Plant Ecology.
3. Barnabas H. Daru, Henry E. Iheanacho, Kowiyou Yessoufou. Ecological factors
shaping the distribution of Lachnaea species (Thymelaeaceae). Plant Ecology.
4. Lerato N. Hoveka, Bezeng S. Bezeng, Kowiyou Yessoufou, J. Stephen
Boatwright, Michelle van der Bank. Effects of climate change on the future
distributions of the top five freshwater invasive plants in South Africa. South
African Journal of Botany.

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5. Lerato N. Hoveka, Michelle van der Bank, Stephen Boatwright, Bezeng S.
Bezeng & Kowiyou Yessoufou. The noncoding trnH-psbA spacer, as an effective
DNA barcode for aquatic freshwater plants, reveals prohibited invasive species in
aquarium trade in South Africa. South African Journal of Botany.
6. Hosam O. Elansary & Kowiyou Yessoufou. Drought resistance enhancement of
ʻSeasprayʼ using growth regulators and mowing heights. Plant growth regulation.
7. Valère K. Salako, Thierry T. Houehanou, Kowiyou Yessoufou, Achille E.
Assogbadjo, Akpovi Akoegninou, Romain L. Glele Kakai. Elephants limit
functional diversity of the palm tree Borassus aethiopum in the Pendjari National
Park, West Africa. Tropical Conservation Science.
8. Kowiyou Yessoufou & Gerrit Hendrik Stoffberg. A regional eastward gradient in
phylogenetic structure of global mangrove forests. South African Journal of
Botany.
 Papers accepted
1. Barnabas H. Daru, Michelle van der Bank, Olivier Maurin, Kowiyou Yessoufou,
Hanno Schaefer, Jasper Slingsby & T. Jonathan Davies. A novel phylogenetic
regionalisation of phytogeographic zones of southern Africa reveals their hidden
evolutionary affinities. Journal of Biogeography.
 Published Papers
- 2015
2. Bezeng Simeon Bezeng, T. Jonathan Davies, Kowiyou Yessoufou, Olivier
Maurin and Michelle Van der Bank (2015). Revisiting Darwin’s naturalization
conundrum: explaining invasion success of non-native trees in southern Africa.
Journal of Ecology 103, 871–879. DOI: 10.1111/1365-2745.12410.
3. Kowiyou Yessoufou, Hosam O. Elansary, Eman A. Mahmoud, Krystyna
Skalicka-Woźniak (2015). Antifungal, antibacterial, and anticancer activities of
Ficus drupacea L. stem bark extract and biologically active isolated compounds.
Industrial Crops and Products 74, 752-758. DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2015.06.011
4. Kowiyou Yessoufou, Barnabas H. Daru & Muthama Muasya (2015).
Phylogenetic exploration of South African commonly used medicinal plants.
Molecular Ecology Resources 15(2) 405-413. DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.12310.
5. Hosam O. Elansary, Eman A. Mahmoud, Shadi Shokralla & Kowiyou Yessoufou.
(2015). Diversity of plants, traditional knowledge and practices in local cosmetic
industry in Egypt: A case study of Alexandria governorate in the Northern Egypt.
Economic Botany 69(2) 114–126. DOI: 10.1007/s12231-015-9308-9.

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6. Hosam O. Elansary & Kowiyou Yessoufou. In vitro antioxidant, antifungal, and
antibacterial activities of five international Calibrachoa cultivars. Natural Product
Research (In Press).
7. Barnabas H. Daru, Kowiyou Yessoufou, Nuttman C, Abalaka J. (2015). Bird uses
of Ficus species: a preliminary study from Amurum Forest Reserve, Nigeria.
Malimbus 37, 1-15.
- 2014
8. Olivier Maurin, T. Jonathan Davies, John E. Burrows, Barnabas H. Daru, Kowiyou
Yessoufou, Muthama A. Muasya, Michelle Van der Bank & Williams Bond
(2014). Savanna fire and the origins of “underground forests” of Africa. New
Phytologist 204: 201–214. DOI: 10.1111/nph.12936.
9. Kowiyou Yessoufou, Jephris Gere, Barnabas H. Daru & Michelle Van der Bank
(2014). Differences in evolutionary history translate into differences in invasion
success of alien mammals in South Africa. Ecology and Evolution 4(11): 2115-
2123. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.
10. Kowiyou Yessoufou, Samuel O. Bamigboye, Barnabas H. Daru & Michelle Van
der Bank (2014). Evidence of constant diversification punctuated by a mass
extinction in the African cycads. Ecology and Evolution 4 (1): 50-58. DOI:
10.1002/ece3.880.
11. Theresa M. Sethusa, Ian M Millar, Kowiyou Yessoufou, Andreana Jacobs,
Michelle Van der Bank, Herman F Van der Bank (2014). DNA barcode efficacy
for identification of economically important scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea)
in South Africa. African Entomology 22 (2): 257–266.
12. Barnabas H. Daru, Kowiyou Yessoufou, T. Jonathan Davies (2014) Speculation
versus data-driven conclusions: A response to Gereau et al.’s "Phylogenetic
patterns of extinction risk: the need for critical application of appropriate
datasets". PeerJ PrePrints 2:e323v1. DOI: 10.7287/peerj.preprints.323v1.
- 2013
13. Kowiyou Yessoufou, Jonathan T Davies, Olivier Maurin, Maria Kuzmina, Hanno
Schaefer, Michelle Van der Bank & Vincent Savolainen (2013). Large herbivores
favour species diversity but have mixed impacts on phylogenetic community
structure in an African savanna ecosystem. Journal of Ecology 101: 614–625.
DOI: 10.1111/1365-2745.12059.
14. Barnabas H Daru, Kowiyou Yessoufou, Ledile T Mankga & Jonathan T Davies
(2013). A global trend towards the loss of evolutionarily unique species in
mangrove ecosystems. PloS ONE 8 (6): e66686. DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0066686.

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15. T. Jonathan Davies & Kowiyou Yessoufou (2013). Revisiting the impacts of non-
random extinction on the tree-of-life. Biology Letters 9: 20130343. DOI:
10.1098/rsbl.2013.0343.
16. Bezeng S. Bezeng, Vincent Savolainen, Kowiyou Yessoufou, Olivier Maurin,
Alex Papadopulos & Michelle Van der Bank (2013). A phylogenetic approach
towards understanding what drives plant invasiveness on Robben Island, South
Africa (2013). Botanical Journal of the Linnaean Society London 172: 142–152.
DOI: 10.1111/boj.12030.
17. Jephris Gere, Kowiyou Yessoufou, Olivier Maurin, Ledile T. Mankga, Barnabas
H Daru & Michelle Van der Bank (2013). Incorporating trnH-psbA to core DNA
barcodes improves discrimination of species within southern African
Combretaceae. Zookeys 365: 127–147. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.365.5728.
18. Ledile T. Mankga, Kowiyou Yessoufou, Annah M. Moteetee & Michelle Van der
Bank (2013). Efficacy of the core DNA barcodes in identifying poorly conserved
and processed plant materials commonly used in South African traditional
medicine. Zookeys 365: 215–233. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.365.5730.
19. Herman F. Van der Bank, Dai Herbert, Richard Greenfield & Kowiyou
Yessoufou (2013). Revisiting species delimitation within the genus Oxystele
using DNA barcoding approach. Zookeys 365: 337-354. DOI:
10.3897/zookeys.365.5356.
20. Sidney O. Nzeako, Kowiyou Yessoufou, Michelle van der Bank & Helen O.
Imafidor (2013) Testing impacts of endoparasitic nematode Meloidogyne javanica
on crop productivity, using tomato cultivar “Gboko” as a case study in Nigeria.
International Journal of Plant Breeding and Crop Science Research 1 (1): 1-9.
21. Philippa Z.N. Franzini, Ansie S. Dippenaar-Schoeman, Kowiyou Yessoufou &
Herman F. Van der Bank (2013). Mitochondrial, genomic DNA, and
morphological data indicate that more than one species of Cyrtophora (Araneae:
Araneidae) occur in South Africa. International Journal of Modern Biological
Research 1: 21-34.
- 2012
22. Kowiyou Yessoufou, Barnabas H. Daru & T. Jonathan Davies (2012).
Phylogenetic Patterns of Extinction Risk in the Eastern Arc Ecosystems, an
African Biodiversity Hotspot. PloS ONE 7 (10): e47082. DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0047082.
23. Herman F. Van der Bank, Richard Greenfield, Barnabas H. Daru & Kowiyou
Yessoufou (2012). DNA barcoding reveals micro-evolutionary changes and river
system-level phylogeographic resolution of seven African silver catfish, schilbe
intermedius (siluriformes, schilbeidae) populations. Acta Ichthyologica Et
Piscatoria 42: 307-320.

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24. Kowiyou Yessoufou, Michelle van der Bank, Jacinta Abalaka & Barnabas H.
Daru (2012). Fig-frugivore interactions follow a constrained Brownian motion
model of evolution in an Important Bird Area, West Africa. Israel Journal of
Ecology and Evolution 58: 39-51.
 Papers needing revision
1. Bezeng S. Bezeng, Michelle Van der Bank, Kowiyou Yessoufou, Barnabas H.
Daru & T. Jonathan Davies. Climate change may reduce the spread of invasive
species in South Africa. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B.
2. T. Jonathan Davies, Olivier Maurin, Kowiyou Yessoufou, Barnabas H Daru,
Bezeng S Bezeng, Ledile T Mankga, Hanno Schaefer & Michelle Van der Bank.
Human population density in southern Africa has been shaped by the evolutionary
history of the regional flora. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
USA.
 Papers close to submission
1. Kowiyou Yessoufou, Respina Taferei, Hosam O. Elansary. Cycads on the EDGE:
Preserving threatened species would prevent priority species from extinction but
not the evolutionarily unique ones. PloS ONE.
2. Kowiyou Yessoufou, Bezeng S. Bezeng, Olivier Maurin, Thato Bengu &
Michelle van der Bank. Explaining Alien Plant Invasion on Small-Sized Systems:
A Case Study of Robben Island in South Africa. PloS ONE.
3. Kowiyou Yessoufou, Kevin Mearns, Hennie Stoffberg. The Kruger National
Parks in South Africa: potential carbon stock, its determinants and monetary
values. Acta Botanica Gallica.
4. Leso Morolong Kennedy and Kowiyou Yessoufou. Diversity of medicinal plants
and ethnobotanical knowledge in Polokwane Municipality, Limpopo, South
Africa. Journal of Ethnopharmacology.
5. Kowiyou Yessoufou, T. Jonathan Davies, Olivier Maurin, Michelle Van der
Bank. Ignorance and the loss of evolutionary history in the flora of Southern
Africa. Proceedings of the Royal Society London B.
6. Kowiyou Yessoufou. The evolutionary history of Data Deficient mammalian
species reveals an urgent need to complete IUCN assessment in this vertebrate
group. African Journal of Ecology.
7. Kowiyou Yessoufou. Phenological survival strategy of woody plant species in a
tropical African savanna. African Journal of Ecology.

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 Book chapters
1. Kowiyou Yessoufou & T. Jonathan Davies. Reconsidering the loss of
evolutionary history: How does non-random extinction prune the tree-of-life? IN:
Biodiversity Conservation and Phylogenetic Systematics (eds: Roseli Pellens &
Philippe Grandcolas. Published by Springer in the series “Topics in Biodiversity
and Conservation” summer 2015. Available at
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/rciusrvo08m106n/AAADoJ_3q-
HyXJyQBAUerFhDa?dl=0.
3. Barnabas H. Daru & Kowiyou Yessoufou. A search for a single DNA barcode for
seagrasses of the world. IN: DNA Barcoding in Marine Perspectives: Assessment
and Conservation of Biodiversity (eds. Subrata Trivedi, Abid Ali Ansari &
Sankar K. Ghosh). To be published by Springer. In Review
4. Invasion success of non-native species: Life history or evolutionary
predisposition? In: Biological Invasions: Patterns, Management and Economic
Impacts. To be published by Nova Science Publishers (Ongoing write up).
 CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
2. Kowiyou Yessoufou (2015) Phylogeny and Invasion process. South African
Journal of Botany. DOI: 10.1016/j.sajb.2015.03.137.
3. Barnabas H. Daru, Ben G. Holt, Jean-Philippe Lessard, Kowiyou Yessoufou, T.
Jonathan (2015) Davies Phylogenetic regionalization of seagrasses. South
African Journal of Botany. DOI:10.1016/j.sajb.2015.03.032.
4. Bezeng Simeon Bezeng, T. Jonathan Davies, Kowiyou Yessoufou, Olivier
Maurin, Michelle Van Der Bank (2015). Explaining invasion success of non-
native trees in Southern Africa. South African Journal of Botany, 98: 172
5. Bezeng S. Bezeng, Olivier Maurin, Kowiyou Yessoufou & Michelle van der
Bank (2012). What drives invasion success on Robben Island, South Africa?
South African Journal of Botany 79: 178.
6. Kowiyou Yessoufou, Olivier Maurin, T. Jonathan Davies, Maria Kuzmina,
Hanno Schafer, Michelle Van der Bank & Vincent Savolainen (2012). The role of
megaherbivores in shaping the structure of subtropical plant communities. South
African Journal of Botany 79: 223.
7. Kowiyou Yessoufou, Vincent Savolainen, Olivier Maurin, Michelle Van der
Bank (2011). Plant survival strategies in a tropical African savanna, South Africa.
In: Martin, H., Kendall, L. Crous (Eds) Proceedings of the congresses of the
Southern African Society for Systematic Biology - Biodiversity matters.
Grahamstown; p. 110. ISSN: 2219-410X.
8. Olivier Maurin, Sylvie Duthoit, Felix Forest, Izak P.J. Smit, Kowiyou Yessoufou,
Vincent Savolainen, and Van der Bank, M. (2009). Explaining tree and shrub

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regional diversity patterns in the Kruger National Park, South Africa. Abstract
volume of the Third International Barcode of Life Conference, Mexico City,
Mexico.
9. Kowiyou Yessoufou and Catherine Butterfield (2002). A Comparative study of
the densities of living and dead trees in heavily logged and unlogged areas of
Kibale National Park, Uganda.18p. Tropical Biology Association reviews.
Abstract available on http://www.tropicalbiology.org/home.html.
INVITED TALKS (GUEST SPEAKER)
1. 22nd
May 2015. Explaining biological invasion on Robben Island, South Africa.
Department of Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, South Africa.
2. 28th
October 2014. Exotic species along the invasion continuum are not
phylogenetically distinct group. Postgraduate Symposium, Botany Department,
University of Johannesburg.
3. 16th
July 2014. Most vulnerable areas to invasive plant species under predicted
climate change in South Africa. Directorate Operations Coastal Provinces
Meeting. Department of Economic Development Environmental Affairs and
Tourism, c/o Belmont Terrace & Castle Hill Central Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
4. 14th
April 2014. Climate Change and the Future of Invasive Trees in South
Africa. Institute for Science and Technology Education (ISTE), University of
South Africa, Pretoria campus, South Africa.
5. 30th
March 2014. Extinction Risk: Emerging Pattern and Consequences on the
Tree of Life. Department of Genetics, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
6. 28th
February 2014. Global Trends of Extinction risk in Mangrove Biome. Old
Council Chamber, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of South
Africa, South Africa.
7. December 2012. Phylogenetic analysis of extinction risk in eastern and southern
African floras. Faculty of Agronomy, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin.
8. November 2012. What matters: Ecosystem or evosystem services? Review
meeting of the Royal Society London at the University of Johannesburg, South
Africa.
9. 30th
October 2012. Analysis of extinction Risk in eastern and southern African
floras. Botany Postgraduate Symposium, Department of Botany and Plant
Biotechnology, University of Johannesburg, South Africa.

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CONTRIBUTED TALKS (TALKS I DELIVERED AT CONFERENCES)
10. 52nd
Annual Meeting of ATBC (Association for Tropical Biology and
Conservation), Hawaii Convention Centre, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of
America, 12-16th
July 2015.
- My talk: Alien Plant Invasion in Southern Africa and Robben Island: The Role of
Phylogeny, Functional Traits and Climate Change.
11. 41st
Annual Conference of the South African Association of Botanists,
Tshipise Forever Resort, University of Venda, South Africa, 11-15th
January
2015.
- My talk: Phylogeny and Invasion Process.
12. 20th
AETFAT (Association for the Taxonomic Study of the Flora of Tropical
Africa) Congress, Stellenbosch University, South Africa, 13-17th
January 2014.
- My Talk: A global trend towards the loss of evolutionarily unique species in
mangroves ecosystems.
13. 3rd
European Conference for the Barcode of Life. Brussels, Belgium, 17-20th
September 2012.
- My talks: (1) "The role of megaherbivores in shaping the structure of plant
community assemblages" and (2) "Living African fossil cycads are less diverse
than currently thought".
14. 10th
Conference of Southern African Society of Systematics. Arniston, Western
Cape, South Africa 16-19 July 2012.
- My talk: "Living African fossil cycads are less diverse than currently thought."
15. 38th
annual conference of the South African Association of Botanists.
University of Pretoria, South Africa 15-18th
January 2012.
16. 4th
International Wildlife Management Congress, Durban, South Africa, 9-12
July 2012.
- My talk: Are elephants really destroying everything in the Kruger National Park,
South Africa?
17. 46th
Annual Congress of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa-
Advancing Rangeland Ecology and Pasture Management in Africa.
Grootfontein ADI, Middleburg, Eastern Cape, South Africa, 11-15 July 2011.
- My talk: Community assembly process in the Kruger National Park.
18. 5th Postgraduate botany conference, University Johannesburg, 27 October 2009,
South Africa.
- My talk: Tree of Life” and its implications for conservation in Kruger National
Park, South Africa.
19. ICRAF annual seminar. Bamako, Mali, 12-14th
December 2007.
- My talk: Why fruit plants are abandoned on farms by Nago and Holli farmers in
Pobè, south-east Benin?

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20. First national conference on Benin National Parks; Cotonou, Benin, 16-17th
June 2006.
- My talk: National Parks in Tropical Africa: Forces, constraints and perspectives.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO TALKS DELIVERED BY OTHERS
21. Bezeng S.B , Davies T.J, Yessoufou K, Maurin O.
, Van der Bank M. Explaining
invasion success of non-native trees in southern Africa. 18th Evolutionary
Biology Meeting, Marseilles, France, 16th-19th September 2014.
22. Maurin O, Davies TJ, Yessoufou K, Daru BH, Bezeng B.S, Ledile M, Van der
Bank M. Human population density correlates with phylogenetic diversity and
plant vulnerability in Southern Africa. Third European Conference for the
Barcode Of Life (ECBOL3), Brussels, Belgium, 17-20 September 2012.
23. Maurin O, Davies TJ, Yessoufou K, Daru BH, Bezeng BS, Ledile M, Van Der
Bank M. Phylogenetic diversity, functional diversity and the future of southern
African Tree species. 10th
Conference of the Southern African Society For
Systematic Biology, Arniston, Western Cape, South Africa, 16‐20 July 2012.
24. Sethusa T, Millar I, Yessoufou K, Jacobs A, Van Der Bank M, Van Der Bank H.
DNA Barcoding scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) of economic importance in
South Africa. 4th
International Conference on Insect Science, The University Of
Agricultural Science, Holiday Palms, Bangalore, India, 14-17 February 2013.
25. Maurin O, Davies TJ, Yessoufou K, Bezeng BS, Mankga LT, Daru BH, Muasya
AM, Burrows J, Van der Bank M, Bond W. Investigating the origins of the
“underground forests” of Africa. 39th
Conference of the South African
Association of Botanists, Drakensville, 20-24 Jan 2013.
26. Daru BH, Yessoufou K, Davies TJ, Maurin O, Mankga LT, Bezeng BS, Van Der
Bank M. Phylogenetic Analysis of extinction risk in eastern and southern African
floras. 39th
Conference of the South African Association of Botanists,
Drakensville, 20-24 Jan 2013.
27. Kabongo R, Maurin O, Yessoufou K, Van Der Bank M. The Development of an
accurate DNA-based Identification tool for traded and protected tree species in
Southern Africa. 39th
Conference of the South African Association of Botanists,
Drakensville, 20-24 Jan 2013.
POSTERS
28. Advanced Science Institute workshop, Kenya Wildlife Services, 5-15 January
2011, Kenya. Poster title: "Phylogeny and phylogenetic diversity of woody plant
communities in the Kruger National Park".
29. Tree Barcoding of Life (TreeBoL) conference, University of Johannesburg, 10-
17 September 2009, South Africa. Poster title: Testing niche vs. neutral processes

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of community assemblages in a tropical African savanna, South Africa.
30. 12th
International Conference on Ecology and Management of Alien Plant
Invasions, 22-26 September 2013, Brazil. Poster title: "Climate change and the
five strongest invasive alien plants of South Africa’s freshwater".
PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS
1- Research-related Appointments
 Postdoctoral Fellow, February 2014-Ongoing, University of South Africa,
Department of Environmental Sciences, Florida Campus, Johannesburg, South
Africa.
 Postdoctoral Fellow, May 2012-June 2013, University of Johannesburg,
Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology, Johannesburg, South Africa.
 Research Associate, 1st
July 2013 – Current, African Centre for DNA Barcoding,
Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology, University of Johannesburg,
South Africa.
 Climate Change and Environmental Consultant, 1st
July 2013 – December 2013,
C4 EcoSolutions, Tokai, Cape Town, South Africa.
 Research Assistant and PhD student, August 2008-May 2012, University of
Johannesburg, South Africa, Dpt. Botany and Plant Biotechnology.
 Minister Assistant, 2007, Ministry of Environment and Nature Protection, Rep.
Benin.
 Lecturer Ecology, 2007-2008, University of Sciences and Technology, Rep.
Benin.
 Research Assistant, 2007, Centre for Research and Training in forestry, (CERF)-
Rep. Benin
 Project Assistant, 2008, Firewood Project, National Centre for Forest
Development, Rep. Benin
 Research Assistant, 2003-2005, Laboratory of Applied Ecology, University of
Abomey-Calavi, Dpt. Environmental Sciences, Rep. Benin.
 Lecturer Biological sciences, 2001-2003, Pobe High school, Rep. Benin.

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2- Teaching and research-related appointments
 2014:
o Visiting Lecturer at the University of Johannesburg. I delivered a 1 day lecture to
3rd
year Botany Students on “Biodiversity, Threats and Conservation”.
o Visiting Lecturer in Phylogeny and Conservation at the School of Wildlife and
Management of Protected Areas, Kandi, Rep. Benin.
 2011: Visiting Lecturer at the National University of Rwanda (NUR) in Rwanda.
During my stay at the NUR, I lectured the following courses:
o "Introduction to Plant Tissue Culture and Organogenesis" to Honors students (4th
year) in Biotechnology".
o "Tropical Ecosystems and Landscape Change” to Master students in
Conservation".
 2008-2012, I taught plant ecology to 1st
year student in Botany, University of
Johannesburg. This is part of Prof. Michelle’s Biodiversity Course.
 2005-2007, Lecturer plant ecology, University of Sciences and Technologies,
Cotonou, Rep. Benin.
 2001-2004, Lecturer in natural sciences, both at Pobe and Vedoko High Schools,
Rep. Benin.
STUDENT SUPERVISION
- Past MSc students
1. 2013-2014. Phathu Mukwevho, Department of Geography, Environmental
Management & Energy Studies, University of Johannesburg. He explored the
drivers of extinction risk in southern African flora. Now working as
Environmental Assessment Practitioner at North-West University.
2. 2013-2014. Lerato Hoveka, Department of Botany, University of Johannesburg.
Cum Laude. She investigated the potential effects of climate change on invasive
plants of South Africa’s freshwater systems. Now working as Intern at University
of Limpopo.
3. 2013-2014. Samuel Bamigboye, Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology,
University of Johannesburg. He analysed the evolutionary diversification history
of the African cycads. Now PhD student at University of Venda.

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4. 2010-2012. Bezeng Simeon Bezeng, Department of Botany, University of
Johannesburg. Cum Laude. He investigated the drivers of invasion success of
alien plants on Robben Island, South Africa. Now finishing his PhD study at
University of Johannesburg
- Current PhD students
5. Adeoba Mariam Iyabo. Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg,
South Africa. She is working on “Reconstructing the biogeography and
phylogenetic history of the African Cyprinidae”.
6. Bezeng Simeon Bezeng, Department of Botany, University of Johannesburg. He
is working on the “Potential effects of climate change on exotic trees in South
Africa”.
- Current MSc students
7. Lisiwe Lungu Mataruse. Bindura University of Science Education. She is
investigating the impacts of climate change on rural agriculture in Bikita district,
Zimbabwe.
8. Respina Tafirei, MSc student, Department of Geography, Environmental
Management & Energy Studies, University of Johannesburg. She is working on
the biogeography and drivers of extinction risks in the world of cycads.
- Past Honours students
9. Thato Bengu (UJ), Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology, University of
Johannesburg. She is investigating the environmental determinants of invasion
success of alien plants on Robben Island.
10. Mogadima ML, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of South
Africa (DES/UNISA). He is working on “Trend analysis of atmospheric
greenhouse gasses from the Johannesburg transit fleet-Metobus”.
11. Mdamba MP (DES/UNISA). He is working on “Evaluating the vegetation of the
Umlalazi Nature Reserve in Kwazulu-Natal, with special emphasis on the Swamp
forest plant communities of the Raphia Palm monument.
12. Khumalo J. (DES/UNISA). She is working on “An evaluation of how waste paper
recycling at St Theresa’s Convent School (Coronationville) can reduce
greenhouse gas emissions from landfill sites”.
13. Leso KL (DES/UNISA). His is working on “Diversity of medicinal plants and
medicinal knowledge in Polokwane Municipality Limpopo Province”.

14
14. Zwane NW (DES/UNISA). His is working on “Evaluation of pathway impact of
mercury accumulates in fish adverse environmental ecosystem in Vaal River, in a
section that runs through Vereeniging”.
15. Kekana PG (DES/UNISA). His is working on “Investigation on environmental
education of domestic waste disposal and management at Sekgakgapeng village
near Mogalakwena River and the surrounding areas, Limpopo province”.
16. Mamabolo, ME (DES/UNISA). He is working on “The impacts of Anglo-
Platinum mine activities on the Mogalakwena river in the Limpopo catchment and
surroundings”.
MEMBERSHIPS
1. Member of Scientific Advisory Committee of the Tropical Biology Association
Africa Alumni Group (TAAG): www.tropical-biology.org
2. Member of the Southern Africa Society of Systematic Biology
3. Member of South African Association of Botany
4. Member of Grassland Society of Southern Africa
EDITORIAL SERVICES
 I reviewed scientific papers for the following journals:
1. Global Ecology and Biogeography (Impact Factor = 7.223);
2. Molecular Ecology resources (Impact Factor = 5.84);
3. PloS ONE (Current Impact Factor = 3.730);
4. Acta Oecologica (Current Impact Factor = 1.820);
5. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum (IF = 1.732)
6. African Journal of Ecology (IF = 1.0)
7. Journal of Ornithology (Current Impact Factor = 1.632);
8. Acta Ichthyologica Et Piscatoria (Current Impact Factor = 0.606);
9. Acta Botanica Gallica (IF = 0.235)
10. DNA Barcode; (Current Impact Factor = NA)
NON-EDITORIAL REVIEW SERVICES
I reviewed 02 PhD and 04 MSc project proposals for UNISA students in 2014.
COLLABORATIONS
1. Prof. T. Jonathan Davies, McGill University, Canada
2. Prof. Hanno Schaefer, Technische Universität München, Germany
3. Prof. Vincent Savolainen, Imperial College London, UK
4. Prof. Elansary O. Hosam, Guelph University, Canada and Alexandria University,
Egypt

15
5. Prof. Michelle van der Bank, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
6. Prof. Muthama Muasya, University of Cape Town, South Africa
7. Dr Barnabas Daru, University of Pretoria, South Africa
8. Dr Stephen Boatwright, University of the Western Cape, South Africa
EXTRA-ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES AT UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG)
1. Environmental Toyota Community Outreach
2. DNA barcoding of all invasive plants and animals for biosecurity (large project
funded by the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa).
3. TreeBoL Africa (involving 12 African countries).
4. Coordinator of monthly report back meetings of the postgraduate students.
5. Coordinator of Journal Clubs for postgraduate students, University of
Johannesburg, South Africa.
6. Supervisor of airport interns for the invasive project.
CONSULTING ACTIVITIES IN CLIMATE CHANGE AND
ENVRIONMENTAL MANAGEMENT FOR C4 EcoSolutions
1. Co-developed the Project Identification Form (PIF) “Building climate resilience
of urban systems through Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in Latin America
and the Caribbean.
2. Co-developed the GEF Project: “Implementing Adaptation Technologies in
Fragile Ecosystems of Djibouti’s Central Plains”.
3. Co-developed the GEF Project Document: “Building resilience of communities
living in degraded forests, savannas and wetlands of Rwanda through an
ecosystem management approach.
4. Co-developed the GEF Project: “Building the resilience of Kune-Vaini Lagoon
through ecosytem based adaptation (EbA)” for Albania.
5. Co-developed the GEF Project: “Ecosystem-based approaches to Adaptation
(EbA) in the drought-prone Barind Tract and Haor "wetland" Area” in
Bangladesh.
6. Co-developed UNDP-implemented project “Strengthening Community Resilience
to Climate Induced Natural Disasters in the Dili to Ainaro Road Development
Corridor” in Timor-Leste.
MEDIA INTERVIEW
7. I was interviewed on the 18th
March 2014 on the UNISA Radio in Pretoria (5:05
PM South African time) to discuss Climate Change, impacts and Adaptation
measures. Several points discussed include definition of greenhouse gas emission,
global warming, causes of climate change, people vulnerability, government
interventions and way forwards.

16
GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS
The following Institutions fund all the projects and conferences I have been involved
in:
1. Travel Award for Excellence in Socio-Economic Applications of DNA Barcoding
to attend the 6th
International Barcode of Life Conference held in Guelph from
August 17-21th
, 2015 (CAD 2479.30).
2. Research Development Grants for Dr Stephen Boatwright (UWC), NRF Y Rated
Researchers.
3. The Government of Canada through Genome Canada and the Ontario Genomics
Institute (2008-OGI-ICI-03).
Joint Royal Society (UK) and National Research Foundation (South Africa) grant
P15927: Regional patterns of biodiversity and conservation in South Africa: the
flora of the Kruger National Park as a case study
4. Tropical Biology Association Small Grant for Conservation Project (£ 1,500.00).
Accepted pending revision of proposal.
5. University of South Africa Post-doctorate Scholarship, 2012-2013 (US$ 30
000.00)
6. University of Johannesburg Post-doctorate Scholarship, 2012-2013 (US$ 20
000.00)
7. University of Johannesburg Merit Bursary, South Africa, 2009-2011.
8. Postgraduate scholarship, Tropical Biology Association, Cambridge University,
UK, 2004 –2005.
9. Research scholarship, Tropical Biology Association, Cambridge University, UK.
REFERENCES
 Prof. T. Jonathan Davies
Department of Biology
McGill University, Canada;
Tel: 514-398-8885
Fax: 514-398-5069
Email: j.davies@mcgill.ca
 Prof. Vincent Savolainen
Imperial College London & Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
Silwood Park Campus, Buckhurst Road SL5 7PY Ascot,
Berks, UK Tel: +44 (0)20 7594 2374
Email: v.savolainen@imperial.ac.uk
 Prof. Hennie Stoffberg
Department of Environmental Sciences
University of South Africa
Tel. 0114713386
Email: Stoffh@unisa.ac.za

CV_KOWIYOU_YESSOUFOU_25 July 2015

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