Associates

Mr. Phillip Da Silva is a Coastal Zone Management Specialist with over twenty (20) years’ experience. Mr. Da Silva’s academic qualifications include a Master of Science in Marine Resource and Environmental Management (Coastal Zone and Environmental Resources Management) from the University of West Indies, a Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science and Resource Management (Environmental Management, Fisheries and Coastal Zone Management options) (pass with Distinction) and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from the University of Guyana.

Mr. Da Silva comes from a background in biology, marine resources and environmental management with extensive experience in coastal zone management and flora and fauna surveys as part of the biodiversity reporting for environmental impact assessments (EIAs) and strategic environmental assessments (SEAs). Mr. Da Silva has been involved in several major initiatives in Guyana which include the preparation of Guyana’s Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan, National Mangrove Management Plan and Shorezone Management Programme, as well as training, awareness and capacity building of stakeholders on integrated coastal zone management. He has been part of the EMC team on several Environmental Impact Assessment Studies (EIAs).

Dr. Gary Clarke is a Forestry Specialist with over thirty (30) years’ experience. Dr. Clarke’s academic qualifications include a PhD in Forest Management from the University of Aberdeen, a Bachelor of Science (Honours in Forestry) in Ecological Science (First Class – Distinction) from the University of Edinburgh, a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (Environmental Studies) from Southampton University and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Geography (Upper Second Class – Credit) from Portsmouth University.

Dr. Clarke has in excess of twenty five (25) years post-graduate experience in forest management, forest certification, institutional strengthening and training in Guyana (16 years), Suriname (14 years), the Caribbean Islands (7 years), Europe (3 years) and Canada (1 year). Dr. Clarke has worked extensively on the EU-FLEGT VPA; IFM and MRV, and REDD+ issues across the Guiana Shield.

Ms. Camille Roopnarine is a Water Resources Specialist with over twenty (20) years’ experience. Ms. Roopnarine’s academic qualifications include aM.Sc. Production Engineering & Management, University of The West Indies, St. Augustine and a B.Sc. Industrial Engineering, Upper Second Class Honours, University of The West Indies, St. Augustine.

Mr. Roopnarine has worked within the Caribbean region on water resources management. Among the key projects include preparing the Water Safety Plan for Linden and Lethem, Guyana. She has conducted training session for “Improving Wastewater Management in the Caribbean” throughout the region. These workshops were held in Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad, Guyana, Belize, Tobago and St Kitts and Nevis. Ms. Roopnarine also developed a recreational water quality standards for St. Lucia and conducted biomedical waste surveys and training for Dominica, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands. She has executed a wide variety of projects, including waste management, wastewater management, health and safety training for Caribbean Environmental Health Institute (CEHI), St. Lucia and worked in sixteen (16) Caribbean countries providing general technical assistance to the Institute’s 16 Members States in the areas of environmental health management, water resources management, wastewater management, water supply, solid and liquid waste management, pollution control and hazardous waste management.

Mr. Reuben Charles is an Aquatic Ecologist with over thirty (30) years’ experience. Mr. Charles’ academic qualifications include a Master of Science in Marine Science from the University of Miami and a Bachelors of Science Degree in Biology from the University of Guyana.

Mr. Charles comes from a background in biology and marine science with extensive experience in conducting aquatic surveys as part of the biodiversity reporting for environmental impact assessments (EIAs) and strategic environmental assessments (SEAs). He has been involved in a number of major projects in Guyana such as the Fisheries Background Report 1993, the preparation of fisheries component of Guyana’s National Development Strategy (2000) and the National Fisheries Management and Development Plan. Mr. Charles has worked with EMC on several impact assessment studies for offshore oil and gas projects in Guyana.

Mr. Charles has over 35 years in the fisheries sector and served as Guyana’s Chief Fisheries Officer for 15 years. Since 1981 he has served on several oversight bodies for Guyana’s fisheries sector and at one time chaired the National Fisheries Advisory Committee.

Ms Patsy Ross is a Multilateral Environmental Agreements Specialist with over twenty (20) years’ experience. Ms. Ross’ academic qualifications include a Masters of Science (M.Sc.) in Agronomy/Seed Technology, Mississippi State University; BSc. (Agriculture), University of the West Indies, Trinidad & Tobago and completed her BSc. Programme in Biology major /Chemistry minor from University of Guyana.

Ms. Ross has a strong background in strategic planning, project development and implementation particularly of GEF supported projects. She has worked for seventeen years with the United Nations Development Programme and eleven years with Government Ministries. Her experience spans education, agricultural research and production, seed technology, natural resources management, energy for rural development, phasing out of ozone depleting substances, agro-biodiversity and genetic resources conservation, international development assistance, monitoring and evaluation, procurement, contract management, project management and project implementation support services, rural development including working with indigenous communities, integrating gender in development projects, project financial management, disaster management and financial accountability to multilateral donors. Ms. Ross has worked at the national and regional (CARICOM and South America) levels. She has substantive experience having been the UNDP focal point supporting the preparing of national reports to the United Nations Conventions.

Dr. Francis Clarke is a Biodiversity Specialist with over twenty five (25) years’ experience. Dr. Clarke’s academic qualifications include a Doctorate (PhD) in Zoology from University of London and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Zoology from University of Glasgow (Honours) (1994).

Dr. Clarke has also been a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Aberdeen (Scotland) and the University of Pretoria (South Africa).

Dr. Clarke has extensive global experience working as a tropical ecologist, in the Caribbean and the Americas, with specialization in the fields of vertebrate ecology, sustainable forest management, biodiversity conservation and monitoring, and environmental management. Dr. Clarke has been the author of several Biodiversity Management & Monitoring Plans and Ecological Impact Assessments for forestry, mining and road construction projects.

Dr. Rovin Deodat holds a PhD in Communications and a Masters of Arts in English from the Simon Fraser University; and a Bachelors Degree in English from the University of Guyana.

Dr. Deodat has accumulated over forty (40) years’ experience in the field of media and communications having operated at the senior level for over 25 years during which time he served as Communication Adviser to the Office of the President and Director of Education, Information and Training at the Environmental Protection Agency. As a communications consultant of over 15 years, Dr. Deodat has worked in Guyana and the Caribbean  in designing communication policies, strategies and action plans as well as developing communication material and conducting communication activities including media training workshops and communication consultancies focusing on a wide array of media and communication topics for a variety of target groups.