Congratulations to Kefeng Niu (China Program Coordinator) for having successfully completed his PhD studies in the Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology at the University of Turin, Italy! For his doctoral research, Dr. Niu conducted case studies using a cross-disciplinary approach to enhance the conservation of two endangered primate species in China: Guizhou snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus brelichi) and François’ langur (Trachypithecus francoisi). The main elements of his pioneering work delved into the monkeys’ vocal repertoires and local people’s perceptions of and attitudes towards these species.

Dr. Niu began his wildlife conservation career in 2008 as a Master’s student at Guizhou University, China, studying with Professor Yeqin Yang. Since 2009 he has been working with Dr. Chia Tan (Vice President) and Dr. Andy Phillips (President) on numerous research and conservation projects, as well as participated in several training workshops organized by LVDI International. Under their mentorship Dr. Niu continued to progress and eventually earned a PhD scholarship to study bioacoustics under the tutelage of Professor Cristina Giacoma and Dr. Marco Gamba.

Following his PhD defense Dr. Niu will return to China to begin a new and exciting phase of his career.