Visitors: Summer & Autumn 2024
We collaborate with many national and international researchers in the field of bioacoustics. As part of these collaborations, we regularly host students and other scientists in Ithaca, NY.
This season has been busy, with over 13 visiting students and early career researchers (including our first cohort of Katy Payne Fellows) from Brazil, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo-Kinshasa), Indonesia, Norway, Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), Scotland, and Spain!
If you have funding and are interested in visiting in the future, please read more here and reach out.
Katharine B. Payne Fellows

Esther Adinda
B.S. in Forestry Engineering | Bandung Institute of Technology
Research Assistant at Little Fireface Project
ENA Foundation
I’m a 2018 graduate of the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) with a degree in Forestry Engineering. Since 2020, I’ve worked as a Research Assistant at the Little Fireface Project, and in 2023, I joined the ENA Foundation (Yayasan Konservasi Satwa Nokturnal Nusantara), the umbrella organization supporting the Little Fireface Project. My role involves training interns, volunteers, and new
staff in field methodologies—from observing the Javan slow loris to radio tracking—skills I’m thrilled to share with others equally passionate about conservation.
I have a sweet tooth and consider myself nocturnal; I thrive working through the
night, which might be fitting for
someone studying nocturnal primates! At the Yang Center, I have the incredible opportunity to be part of the first cohort of the Payne Fellowship! I feel honored to learn directly at the heart of bioacoustics.
During my time here, I’m focusing on expanding my knowledge of bioacoustics, particularly PAM (Passive Acoustic Monitoring) for nocturnal primates with ultrasonic calls. My goal is to develop a comprehensive sound repertoire and detection tools for both sonic and ultrasonic calls of the Javan slow loris. Additionally, I’ll be visiting the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and Omaha Zoo for four weeks to gain hands-on experience in loris husbandry and conduct further bioacoustics research 🙂

Gbenou Justin Didolanvi
Program Manager at Biodiversity Environment & Sustainable Development (BEDD NGO)
Masters Degree/ ERAIFT-UNESCO, 2023
I am a Conservation Biologist, currently serving as the Program Manager at Biodiversity Environment & Sustainable Development (BEDD). I specialize in Wildlife Conservation with a focus on key species such as Lions and Giraffes in protected areas across West and Central Africa. I have extensive experience in capacity building, using innovative tools like Camera Trap, GPS/Satellite collar, Acoustic Unit, Drone to monitor wildlife. My research lies in working with local communities to foster sustainable practices and create lasting impacts in biodiversity conservation.
At the Yang Center, I am working as a Fellow focusing on developing an algorithm for lion monitoring using acoustic sensors. This project aims to leverage bioacoustics technology to track lion populations and better understand their behavior and movements in protected areas in Cameroon.
The goal is to improve conservation efforts by integrating advanced monitoring techniques with traditional wildlife management practices, contributing to more effective protection of this vulnerable species.
In addition to my passion for wildlife conservation, I love spending time outdoors—whether it’s hiking or exploring new ecosystems. I’m also an avid birdwatcher, which fits well with my conservation work, and I enjoy learning about new technologies that can be applied to the field. Outside of conservation, I’m fascinated by astronomy and often stargaze when I can. I’m also deeply in love with traveling, as it allows me to discover new cultures, ecosystems, and landscapes, which constantly inspire my conservation work. Plus, I have a deep appreciation for music and enjoy playing traditional African instruments when I get the chance!

Junaydy “Jun” Michael Angelo Ginting
Bachelor of Science/Universitas Sumatera Utara
2016 Biodiversity & Monitoring Coordinator at Yayasan Ekosistem Lestari (Medan, Indonesia), Field Orangutan Database at Frankfurt Zoological Society (Jambi, Indonesia)
I lead all biodiversity-related, both in the field and in data analysis, from camera trap setups to conducting SMART patrols and applying bioacoustics techniques to monitor wildlife. My work focuses on gathering critical data on species, especially Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii), Lar Gibbon (Hylobates lar), and Siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus) in Sumatra, and finding effective conservation solutions. I’m always uncovering new secrets from the jungle, making each day an exciting journey!
At the Yang Center, I’m working on developing a system to detect gibbon and siamang vocalizations in Sumatra’s forests.
A key part of this goal is exploring how
chainsaw noise, a common disturbance from logging activities, impacts their presence and behavior. This research aims to deepen our understanding of how human noise disrupts their communication and habitat use, helping to shape future conservation strategies.
In my downtime, I love getting lost in novels, discovering art, and exploring historical themes. I’m also writing a novel centered on plant consciousness and manipulation—an intriguing mix of nature, science, and imagination! And speaking of nature, I have a special connection with four reintroduced orangutans back in Jambi: Sam, Sule, Dora, and Suro, who are like family to me, each with their own unique quirks!

Vainqueur KILINDO BULAMBO
Master of Science Artificial Intelligence/IU International University of Applied Science, 2024
Database Program Assistant at Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
I am a computer scientist by training with a bachelor’s degree in management information technology and a master’s degree in artificial intelligence. I am an assistant in the database program at Dian Fossey. Dian Fossey is an organization that works for the research and conservation of Grauer’s Gorilla in eastern DR Congo. Personally, I specialize in analyzing acoustic data and camera traps using ML and DL to monitor the biodiversity of our forest. I worked on sound classification using machine learning as part of my Master’s thesis project.
At the Yang Center, I am developing a gorilla vocalization detector using the convolutional neural network (CNN). This project is a follow-up to my thesis project where I used ML.
The goal of switching to CNN is to improve the accuracy of the detector. The end goal of this project is to set up an accurate detector that we can use at Dian Fossey and in my research work to automatically detect gorilla vocalization in the long-term recording of our Nkuba forest. Thus, once implemented, it will reduce the time spent on manual data analysis, but can also be used to study the social interactions, behavior, and movement of gorillas.
In my free time, I like to listen to music. I don’t really have a preference on the type of music, I like music that resonates well in my ear. I’m passionate about football, in fact when I was a kid I dreamed of becoming a great football player. I also like weekend outings with friends and a lot of travel.
Other Visiting Students & Researchers

I’m a PhD student in the Postgraduate Program in Animal Biology- PPGBA at Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (where I also did my Masters). I work with Landscape Ecology with an emphasis on anthropogenic noise and its effects on the
biodiversity of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and interactions between primates. At the Yang Center, I’m learning about machine learning and how to automate my data on BirdNET.

Frelcia Bien Dorvillon BAMBI
Rural Development Engineer, National Higher School of Agronomy and Forestry, Marien Ngouabi University, 2015
Research Officer at Wildlife Conservation Society Program Republic of Congo.
In 2016 I began my career in the world of conservation by participating in a large project of WCS Congo program which is the ecological monitoring of large mammals in the Ndoki-Likouala landscape using the linear transect method. From 2017 until today I am a member of the elephant listening project in partnership with WCS.
At the Yang Center, I’m working in capacity building on rumble verification, data analysis with R, designing new hardware for the next workshop, standardization of parameters on shot verification, use of Machine learning. I enjoy life in the forest during field missions to collect data.

Greta Jankauskaite
PhD student at University of Valencia
MSc Biodiversity: Conservation and Evolution/University of Valencia/2021
I am a PhD student passionate about spatial ecology, bioacoustics and biodiversity conservation. My current research focuses on analyzing the spatiotemporal distribution patterns of cetaceans and their anthropogenic threats associated with shipping traffic in the Western Mediterranean Sea. My goal is to utilize visual survey data and passive acoustic monitoring to develop data-driven guidelines that will inform marine spatial planning and aid the conservation of cetacean populations in the Western Mediterranean.
During my 4-month stay at the Yang Center, I am working on acoustic data from ocean gliders and low-cost recorders deployed in my study area. I aim to acquire analytical skills for analyzing long-term recordings that contain vocalizations from multiple cetacean species, as well as to learn about machine learning applications and deepen my overall knowledge of bioacoustics.
Outside of research, I love spending time outdoors – exploring and birdwatching (Ithaca is perfect for that!) – as well as traveling, flying my drone and dancing whenever I get the chance!

Indah Sartika Sari
PhD/ Gadjah mada University – Utrecht University, 2024
I used to work in Ngos focusing in wildlife conservation in Borneo, Indonesia. I’ve been involved with several projects, including bird research and conservation with Passerine and Hornbills, Conservation with a landscape approach in Peatland areas in Central Kalimantan, and community-based conservation through education.
While at the Yang Center, I’m working on bioacoustics of the endemic bird of Borneo, the Bornean Bristlehead (Pityriasis gymnocephala).
I am a hugger, especially hugging trees, but can hug humans too.

Josephine Nell Schulze
PhD candidate in Department of Electronic Systems – Norwegian University for Science and Technology (NTNU)
MSc Marine Mammal Sciences – University of St Andrews – 2021
I am a PhD candidate based in Trondheim, Norway, where I am focusing on using distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) for detecting and tracking baleen whales in the Arctic. My background is in marine mammal sciences and bioacoustics, and a current goal of my PhD is to develop a detector for DAS to work on different baleen whale species. This will allow me to sort through long term fiber optic data from Svalbard and learn more about the whereabouts of baleen whales in this area throughout the different seasons.
During my 2-month visit at the Yang Center, I am working with Dr. Léa Bouffaut to develop a DAS detector to pick out underwater acoustic signals, which we then plan to refine for different baleen whale species.
Outside of work, I enjoy being out in nature, be that climbing, surfing or snowboarding. But I also enjoy crafting and recently got hooked on pottery!

Onesi Samba
Researcher at Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) at Congo Brazzaville
Master in Biology at the Marien Ngouabi University in Brazzaville in 2014
I studied at the Université Marien Ngouabi in Congo Brazzaville. I started my professional career at WCS from 2015 until now and have been trained in several areas: animal tracking in clearings, data collection through linear transects, camera traps and acoustic units. My job is to collect data, analyze it, produce reports and share it with scientific publications.
I’m working on the analysis of acoustic data from Congo Brazzaville, learning R software, contributing to the content of materials for future acoustic workshops, taking part in bioacoustics courses organized by Cornell Lab and bioacoustic seminars (Bioacoustic Talk, SCCC).
The first time the elephant charged me in the forest, I cried like a little child.

I am a biologist with a degree in Biological Sciences Education from the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). During my undergraduate studies, I had the opportunity to explore a range of research groups, from ichthyology to plant ecophysiology, to discover what truly interested me within biology. I focused on education throughout my degree, participating in outreach projects and tutoring programs. I hold a Master’s degree in Animal Biology from the Graduate Program in Animal Biology at UFRGS, where I am developing my PhD.
In my master’s research, I examined how grassland birds respond to landscape changes, using passive acoustic monitoring and site occupancy models. This work sparked my passion for bioacoustics, and in my doctoral thesis, I am investigating patterns of acoustic diversity and among birds in the Pampa biome and the processes that have driven this diversity.
My areas of interest include Ornithology, Bioacoustics, Education, and Diversity and Decoloniality in science.
I am affiliated with the Birds and Mammals Evolution, Systematics, and Ecology Laboratory (BIMALab).
My goal is to develop part of my thesis, specifically the chapter in which I wanna understand how acoustic signaling evolved in grassland birds and its relationship with open areas (such as grassland, shrubland, savannas, etc.). To achieve this, I aim to understand how to compare acoustic signals among distantly related species and identify which acoustic parameters are most relevant, so that we can use this acoustic information in macroevolutionary analyses and recount this evolutionary history.
in my free time, I enjoy reading literature, exploring academic readings in the humanities, embroidering, crocheting, walking, cycling, or simply drinking chimarrão (a traditional South American tea made from yerba mate).

Safira Núbia Dias de Melo
MSc /Federal University of Pernambuco/2021
PhD student in the postgraduate program in animal biology at the Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil
I am a PhD student in Animal Biology, researcher, and volunteer at the NGO Ecoassociados. I’m currently conducting research on the sound that sea turtles produce during the incubation period, and
how the landscape can influence the occurrence and behavior these animals. I am working on recordings made inside sea turtle nests, learning how to optimize data analysis time.

I am a marine ecologist with a keen interest in using acoustics to study marine mammals. Currently pursuing my PhD, my research focuses on investigating the occurrence of Risso’s dolphins along the west coast of Scotland using passive acoustic monitoring. I am now developing a deep learning classifier to find Risso’s dolphin vocalisations within a large acoustic dataset, which will enable me to model their distribution patterns.
A key objective of my work is to provide policymakers with evidence-based recommendations for effective monitoring and management strategies to help protect Risso’s dolphins in Scottish waters. While at the Yang Center I am looking to improve my deep learning knowledge, test my classifier on other datasets from around the US, and explore how we can visualise how deep learning models make their decisions.