7th May 2026
By Peace Ahovi
WASCAL’s commitment to advancing marine and climate science capacity building in West Africa is once again demonstrated through the successful thesis defense of Ms. Nogaye Dia, a master’s student of the 4th Batch from Senegal.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Ms. Dia on this important academic milestone and her valuable scientific contribution to marine and climate research in the region.
Her research, titled “Zooplankton Community Structure, Biodiversity, and Seasonal Variability in the Senegalese Upwelling System,” investigated the composition, diversity, and seasonal dynamics of zooplankton communities within one of West Africa’s most productive marine ecosystems.
Drawing on samples collected during four scientific cruises between 2020 and 2024, the study applied advanced imaging techniques and ecological analyses to assess how key environmental factors, including temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and chlorophyll-a shape zooplankton distribution and community structure.
The findings revealed the dominant role of copepods in the ecosystem while also highlighting significant seasonal shifts in biomass and biodiversity driven by hydrographic conditions and upwelling dynamics. Importantly, the research establishes one of the first imaging-based baseline datasets for Senegalese waters, providing a critical reference for future monitoring of plankton dynamics, fisheries sustainability, and climate variability across West Africa.
Ms. Dia’s successful defense reflects strong scientific commitment, analytical excellence, and WASCAL’s continued efforts to train highly skilled researchers capable of addressing critical environmental and marine challenges in the region.
WASCAL congratulates Ms. Dia on this remarkable achievement and wishes her continued success in her academic and professional journey.
This milestone also reinforces WASCAL’s commitment to gender-balanced excellence in science, ensuring equal opportunities for both women and men in advancing climate and marine research across West Africa.