NAM Fellowships 2025 - Welcome to ZMT!
This year ZMT is welcoming a total of five researchers who have been successful in obtaining a fellowship from the Centre for Science and Technology of the Non-Aligned and Other Developing Countries (NAM S&T Centre) for a a three-month research stay at ZMT in Bremen, Germany. Since its inception in 2008, this Fellowship has supported scientists from around the world, including Indonesia, Tanzania, Mauritius, Nigeria, and many more, helping to foster international research collaborations. Here we introduce this year's NAM Fellows to you (in alphabetcial order) and offically welcome them to ZMT.
Abbie Akinyi Allela, MSc. | PhD Student/ Adjunct Lecturer | Home Institution: Egerton University
We are delighted to host Abbie Akinyi Allela, a PhD student and Adjunct Lecturer from Egerton University, Kenya, as NAM fellow at ZMT.
With a strong background in marine science, Abbie is dedicated to advancing sustainable approaches to natural resource management. Her research interests span ocean governance, marine spatial planning, and ecosystem ecology, with a particular focus on integrated and forward-thinking strategies for conserving coastal and marine environments.
At ZMT, she will focus on the project “Advancing Assisted Evolution in Mangrove Ecosystems.” This innovative research includes an in-depth literature review on plant-based assisted evolution—especially among mangrove species—alongside a legal and ethical analysis of relevant international, regional, and national biosafety frameworks. The project also explores the intersection of intellectual property rights and emerging biotechnologies, with capacity-building components such as practical training in CRISPR-Cas9 protocols.
Her interdisciplinary approach reflects the growing need to merge ecological science with governance and technology, aiming to foster resilience in vulnerable coastal ecosystems. We look forward to the valuable perspectives and collaboration she will bring to ZMT’s research community.
Abbie will be hosted by Dr. Véronique Helfer in the Mangrove Ecology working group (Programme Area 4 "Ecosystem Co-Design towards a sustainable Anthropocene").
Lusita Meilana, PhD | Researcher | Home Institution: Center for Coastal and Marine Resources Studies (CCMRS), International Research Institute for Maritime, Ocean and Fisheries (i-MAR), IPB University, Indonesia
We are pleased to welcome NAM fellow Lusita Meilana, a researcher from the Center for Coastal and Marine Resources Studies (CCMRS), IPB University, Indonesia. With expertise in coastal and ocean management - particularly in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), ecological conservation, and marine biodiversity - Lusita brings valuable insight to our ongoing research. During her stay at ZMT, Lusita Meilana is working on a project that explores the management effectiveness of MPAs as a strategic pathway to advancing the blue economy. The project aims to develop a conceptual model linking effective MPA management to positive blue economy outcomes.
Lusita Meilana is hosted by Prof. Dr. Achim Schlüter in the working group Institutions and Behavioural Economy (Programme Area 1 "Coastal Resources and Sustainable Blue Economy").
Soumya Kanta Nayak | Senior Research Fellow | Home Institution: School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India
Soumya Kanta Nayak is a Senior Research Fellow at the School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India.
Soumya Kanta Nayak specializes in the study of submarine groundwater discharge and coastal salinization processes, with a focus on how groundwater and ocean systems interact. His research delves into the transport of nutrients and trace elements to the coastal ocean, exploring how these hidden pathways influence marine chemistry and ecosystem dynamics.
At ZMT, his fellowship project will examine the role of tropical beaches in mitigating contaminant fluxes from SGD along the Odisha coast in India. By investigating biogeochemical processes within subterranean estuaries, his work will shed light on how these natural systems affect coastal health and contribute to the sustainability of the Blue Economy.
Through this collaboration, Soumya brings valuable expertise in coastal hydrogeology and geochemical transport, offering new insights into the often-overlooked connections between land and sea. We look forward to supporting his research and learning from his findings.
Soumya Kanta Nayak is hosted by Prof. Dr. Nils Moosdorf in the working group Submarine Groudwater Discharge (Programme Area 2 "Global Change Impacts and Adaptation").
Dr. Mohammad Atique Rahman | Associate Professor (LL.M, Turin; PhD, Ghent) | Home Institution: Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
Dr. Rahman joins ZMT as a NAM fellow from the University of Dhaka, where he serves as Associate Professor in the Department of International Relations. With a strong academic background and expertise in natural resource governance, the blue economy, and climate policy in coastal regions, his work bridges environmental law and international policy.
At ZMT, Dr. Rahman is conducting a comparative study on the sustainability of the ship recycling sector in developing countries in light of the Hong Kong International Convention. His research focuses on policy and legal frameworks—analyzing national regulations, international instruments, and EU directives—to better understand the practical challenges and opportunities in aligning ship recycling practices with global environmental standards.
Dr. Mohammad Atique Rahman is hosted by Prof. Dr. Raimund Bleischwitz, Scientific Director.
Dr. Noorjima Abd Wahab | Lecturer and Postgraduate Coordinator | Home Institution: Faculty of Applied Social Sciences, University Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Terengganu, Malaysia
Joining ZMT as a NAM fellow from the Faculty of Applied Social Sciences, University Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Terengganu, Malaysia, is Noorjima Abd Wahab.
As a Lecturer and Postgraduate Coordinator at UniSZA, Noorjima Abd Wahab brings a rich interdisciplinary background in environmental sustainability, social impact assessment, and energy regulation. Her research addresses innovative strategies for low-carbon development, green infrastructure, and sustainable planning in both urban and ecological contexts.
During her stay at ZMT, she will work on the development of the Social Impact Rapid Assessment System (SIRA)—a decision-making support model based on spatial analysis aimed at identifying and evaluating potential projects in tropical coastal marine environments. In addition to her primary project, she will actively engage with ZMT’s ongoing research efforts and collaborative publications within the working group in Bremen.
Her current research portfolio includes several international and community-based projects, focusing on integrated environmental resource management, green design for ecosystem balance, and hydro-socioeconomic sustainability among indigenous communities. We are excited about the insights and expertise she brings and look forward to a productive and inspiring collaboration.
Dr. Noorjima Abd Wahab will join Dr. Annette Breckwoldt in the Programme Area 5 "Ocean Literacy, Equity and Leadership".
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Programme Areas