Dr. Bukombe John Kija is a Principal Research Officer at TAWIRI, with a PhD in Wildlife Ecology, an MSc in Dryland Biodiversity, and a BSc (Ed), in Biology and Chemistry. He has worked with TAWIRI for 16 years. He has an interest in studies on wildlife distribution foraging and habitat dynamics, and threat reduction from invasive species. Through in-house and other donor-funded training, Dr. Bukombe has attained skills in Statistical data analysis, Basic skills in GIS, Ecological Niche Modelling, Project elaboration and Fundraising, Scientific communication, Project Management-Accounting and Financial Report-Mult-Inter and Transdisciplinary Research, Ethics-Reference Management. He has participated in writing 14 different research projects, 6 of them as Principal Investigator (PI), and attracted research funds for implementing some of the projects. He has produced reports including the water strategy for the NCA. He Published more than twenty (20) papers in peer-reviewed journals, ten (10) book chapters, and five (5) papers in conference proceedings. He also has been involved in producing two patents in medicinal plants named skin-lightening and improving wrinkles as well as Hair Growth Stimulation or Hair Loss Prevention. He has supervised students and young researchers. His Leadership experience is through managing several projects as Principal Investigator. Being the Focal Person of the REGROW Project at TAWIRI for about 6 years, He has gained leadership skills involving team management, budgeting, motivating, appraising, managing conflicts, dealing with grievances as well as delegation. Being the Focal Person, of this project he has supervised many researchers and non-researchers and has therefore developed extensive skills in teamwork. He is one of the Lead Authors of the Global assessment of invasive alien species and their control under the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). He was a team member in writing the National Invasive Species Strategy and Action Plan (NISSAP) (2019-2029).