Fatunsin Selected for Science Policy Training for Ecological Advocacy
by Alabama A&M University
March 13, 2025
Alabama A&M University Ph.D. student Olufemi E. Fatunsin has been named a recipient of the Ecological Society of America’s (ESA) 2025 Katherine S. McCarter Graduate Student Policy Award (GSPA). This prestigious honor recognizes ten outstanding graduate students nationwide who are passionate about the intersection of science and policy and committed to ecological advocacy.
As part of the award, Fatunsin will travel to Washington, D.C., for an intensive science policy training program, where he will engage with congressional lawmakers, gaining firsthand experience in policy, communication, and career development.
“I was thrilled and honestly astonished to receive this award,” said Fatunsin. “It’s an incredible recognition of my work and dedication to ecological science in the U.S.”
Originally from Ilawe-Ekiti, Nigeria, Fatunsin specializes in biostatistics and forest ecology. His research explores how forest diversity and environmental conditions impact the health and resilience of Southeastern U.S. forests, with the ultimate goal of developing strategies for maintaining productive forests amid environmental change. Fatunsin has a B.Agr. in Forestry and Wildlife management from Ekiti State University, an M.S. in Biology from the University of Alabama, and a master’s in forest economics from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.