Geospatial scientist in Vector Biology research group Patrick Ken Kalonde graduated Summa Cum Laude (distinction) from St Cloud State University (United States).

In 2020 Kalonde received the prestigious and competitive Fulbright Scholarship. He pursued a Master of Science in Geography (Geographical Information Sciences).

Previously, Kalonde participated in the MLW Pre-MSc training programme which, he says, prepared him to make the best out of his MSc program. He indicated that before going to the United States he wanted to use the opportunity to build his technical skills and establish lifelong professional connections with leading minds in his field.

During his MSc, Kalonde worked under the supervision of Professor Mikhail Blinnikov and Dr. Michelle Stanton (Kalonde’s Pre-MSc supervisor from LSTM). His MSc thesis focused on developing Geospatial Methods for Mapping Domestic Waste Piles and Macro Plastics. This research contributed to a project ‘Sustainable Plastic Attitudes to Benefit Communities and Their Environments (SPACES)’ being led by the University of Stirling, the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS), and MLW.

Apart from learning, Kalonde participated in numerous professional development and leadership programmes. His work as a student received recognition from leading institutions in his field. Some of the awards which Kalonde received during his MSc includes the Copernicus Masters Challenge award from the European Space Agency, Second Best Graduate Student Project from Minnesota GIS/LIS Consortium, Neville-Shulman Award from EarthWatch Europe, Best Open Mapping Project from the Open-Source Geospatial Foundation, and Excellence in Leadership award from St Cloud State University.

Congratulations, Patrick!