Our Team

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YAPPENDA’s research and conservation work depends on many forms of knowledge and experience. Our team includes Papuan researchers, conservation practitioners, programme managers, educators, community leaders, field coordinators, administrators, communicators, and institutional partners.

Each person contributes to the Research Center in a different way—from biodiversity monitoring and restoration to community engagement, research administration, education, field logistics, and institutional collaboration.

Iain Wilson (Kobak)

Iain provides strategic leadership for YAPPENDA’s conservation and research partnerships. Alongside his brother Malcolm. Iain was born and raised in Papua amongst the Yali with 40 years of lived experience and 27 years of work experience in situ providing the expertise to connect Indigenous communities, government agencies, Papuan institutions, and international researchers.

Executive Director and Co-Founder
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Malcolm Wilson (Kobak)

Malcolm contributes to YAPPENDA’s strategic leadership, institutional development, international partnerships, and organisational governance. Born and raised among the Yali people in the Papuan Highlands, he maintains a strong personal connection to Papua’s communities, landscapes, and cultural heritage.

His experience supports the development of responsible institutional systems, research partnerships, organisational planning, and long-term conservation strategy.

Co-Founder and Managing Director
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Project Implementation Manager

Zacharias “Zaani” Inaury

Zaani is a conservation and community-development practitioner with more than 15 years of experience delivering environmental, climate-resilience, and sustainable-development programmes across Tanah Papua.

His experience includes biodiversity conservation, participatory mapping, sustainable livelihoods, Nature-based Solutions, and collaboration with remote Indigenous communities. At YAPPENDA, he helps translate research, community knowledge, and conservation priorities into effective field programmes.

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Finance and Business Manager

Dwi Astria Ningsih

Dwi manages the financial, administrative, and organisational systems that support YAPPENDA’s conservation, education, and developing research programmes.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Welfare Science and a master’s degree in Sociology from Cenderawasih University. Her role supports accountable research budgeting, grant administration, institutional reporting, programme documentation, and responsible partnerships.

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Domi Deda

Domi has more than 25 years of practical experience in agroforestry, including coffee and cacao development, and has worked across remote areas of Papua.

At YAPPENDA, he supports forestry programmes, government relationships, community partnerships, and field implementation. His practical knowledge contributes to learning about agroforestry systems, restoration, sustainable livelihoods, and the local conditions that influence conservation work.

Government Liaison and Forestry Program Manager
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Jack Aupe

Jack holds a degree in Agriculture from Cenderawasih University and has more than 30 years of experience in conservation, agroforestry, and sustainable development.

He leads YAPPENDA’s tree-nursery activities and conservation education and training. His experience supports practical research and documentation related to plant propagation, nursery management, restoration methods, agroforestry, and community learning.

Nursery, Agroforestry and Training Manager
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Field Logistics and Research Operations

Asra Mantu

Asra supports the practical systems required for YAPPENDA’s work in remote and challenging environments. His experience includes work connected to the Indonesia Green Growth Program and a strong interest in environmental conservation and sustainable development.

He helps coordinate transport, field supplies, equipment, team movements, and operational problem-solving, making safe and organised research and conservation activities possible.

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Conservation Consultant

Pieter Wamea

Pieter has approximately 20 years of experience in environmental advocacy and conservation across Papua and West Papua. His work covers both marine and terrestrial conservation.

He brings extensive relationships with government institutions, universities, cultural organisations, legislative bodies, and development partners. His experience helps connect research evidence with conservation policy, institutional partnerships, and practical decision-making.

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Jeff Wonda

Jeff is a Papuan field researcher, university student, and conservation educator who played an important role in the successful Cyclops Expedition and the rediscovery of Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna.

He continues to contribute to biodiversity monitoring and conservation work in the Cyclops Mountains. He has also developed conservation outreach activities for young people and communities in YAPPENDA’s programme areas.

Field Research & Conservation Program
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Yali Wilson

Yali organises and leads YAPPENDA’s reforestation work, including the establishment and operation of tree nurseries and planting sites.

His responsibilities include coordinating field activities, tracking implementation, and supporting practical restoration work. His field records can contribute to future monitoring of nursery production, planting methods, site conditions, and restoration progress.

Reforestation Supervisor
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Liaison Officer

Yanni Siep

Yanni supports YAPPENDA’s relationships with government agencies, academic institutions, NGOs, and other organisational partners.

His work helps create the institutional communication, coordination, trust, and permissions required for successful research and conservation programmes. He also supports the development and maintenance of long-term partnerships.

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Highlands Reforestation Supervisor

Das Jikwa

Das has a degree in Environmental Sciences and manages YAPPENDA’s tree nursery in Wamena.

He has also supported the development of a reforestation site and nursery in partnership with the Indigenous community of Alogonik in the Baliem Valley. His work connects environmental study with practical restoration and future ecological monitoring in the Papuan Highlands.

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Yolanda Duwiri

Yolanda was born in Abepura, Papua, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Cenderawasih University.

She contributes a Papuan scientific perspective and a strong commitment to protecting the region’s biodiversity, ecosystems, and cultures. Her work and developing research profile support greater visibility and opportunity for Papuan scientists, particularly women working in biology and conservation.

Biology and Conservation Programme Team
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Attixs Kobak

Attixs is an Indigenous Papuan from Holuwon who contributes to conservation, education, and youth development within his community.

He teaches young people about environmental stewardship and the importance of protecting Papua’s forests and wildlife. His work supports culturally grounded research and conservation through community engagement, local knowledge, education, and trusted relationships in Holuwon.

Community Conservation and Education
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Media Coordinator

Gusti Tanati

Gusti is a Papuan artist, photographer, journalist, and media practitioner committed to environmental conservation and the responsible communication of Papua’s stories.

At YAPPENDA, he documents fieldwork, conservation programmes, restoration activities, and community partnerships. His role supports visual research records, ethical photography, public communication, project documentation, and the development of YAPPENDA’s photographic archive.

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Scientific Advisor

Dr. James Kempton

James Kempton is a biodiversity researcher whose work combines field ecology, biogeography, and data science. He is a Visiting Researcher in the University of Oxford’s Department of Biology and a Research and Development Fellow working at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. His independent research focuses particularly on biodiversity discovery in New Guinea.

James established the international expedition team behind the Cyclops Mountains research programme and has worked closely with YAPPENDA, Papuan communities, Cenderawasih University, Indonesian government institutions, and international scientific partners.

As YAPPENDA’s Scientific Advisor, he supports research design, biodiversity analysis, scientific publication, international collaboration, and the development of Papuan researchers.

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Christina Catana-Hoppe, M.A.

Christina Catana-Hoppe is a specialist in research information management and digital research services at the University of Lübeck. Her work includes coordinating and developing the university’s research information system and public research portal, as well as designing digital systems for research services and institutional reporting.

As YAPPENDA’s Academic Advisor, Christina supports the development of the Research Center’s academic identity, researcher profiles, publication systems, institutional identifiers, research databases, governance structures, and digital research strategy.

Her guidance is helping YAPPENDA develop pathways for ROR registration, ORCID affiliation, DOI-based publication, Scopus and Web of Science visibility, responsible data management, and stronger international academic recognition.

Academic Advisor

Marthina Siringon

Researcher

Marthina “Thina” Siringon is a nonprofit management professional from Yahukimo, born in Wamena, Papua Pegunungan. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nonprofit Management from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, with a particular interest in donor relations, fundraising, and strengthening partnerships between organisations and the communities they serve.

Before returning to Tanah Papua, Thina worked as a Donor Support Associate for a nonprofit organisation in Chicago from 2025 to 2026. At YAPPENDA, she currently serves as a liaison for overseas education initiatives for Yahukimo Regency while contributing to the organisation’s wider development and partnership efforts. Her work reflects a strong interest in building connections that support locally grounded, sustainable initiatives across Papua.

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Heron Yando

Field Researcher

Heron Yando is a Papuan biologist and field researcher with experience in entomology, biodiversity surveys, biological collections, and ecological fieldwork. He studied Biology at Cenderawasih University and worked as an assistant lecturer and curator with the university’s Koleksi Serangga Papua.

Heron has participated in research expeditions in the Cyclops Mountains, Yapen Island, and Raja Ampat and has contributed as a co-author to peer-reviewed research arising from the Cyclops biodiversity programme.