Chinenye ‘Assumpta’ Nnakenyi

Institution: Stellenbosch University (SU)

Unit & faculty: Department of Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Science

Research field: Ecological modelling

Supervisors: Prof C Hui, SU (main supervisor); Dr HO Minoarivelo, SU (co-supervisor).

 

PROFILE

Assumpta hails from Akwaihedi, Nigeria. She completed her undergraduate BSc Hons (first class) in mathematics (2013) at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. She then did a structured master’s (2015) at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), and a research master’s (cum laude) in ecological modelling (2016) at SU. During the latter, she predicted the emergence of network structures from species-pollination data from the Galápagos Islands. For her PhD at Stellenbosch University (SU), she will investigate the complexity and stability in a mutualistic meta-network of species interactions with the use of mathematical models and tools. The study will contribute to a greater understanding of ecosystem structure and function, leading to the sustainability of species in our ecosystem. Assumpta is an active member of AIMS Women In Science (AIMSWIS) South Africa, and currently its liaison at Stellenbosch. She sings with the Stellenbosch Libertas choir, even touring with the choir to Germany. She loves music, cooking and hair-making.