Dr. George Lohay is a Tanzanian biologist and conservation geneticist with more than 15 years of experience in wildlife research and management. He currently serves as head scientist at the Grumeti Fund, leading applied conservation research and capacity-building initiatives through the Research and Innovation for the Serengeti Ecosystem (RISE) program. His work integrates science, technology, and mentorship to support Tanzanian graduate students and early-career conservationists.

George earned his PhD in biology from Pennsylvania State University, where he investigated the genetic connectivity of African savanna elephants, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship focused on the giraffe genome project. His current research emphasizes conservation genetics, landscape connectivity, and human dimensions of wildlife conservation, including the socioeconomics of bushmeat hunting and vulture ecology. He is deeply committed to restoring Tanzania’s wildlife corridors and fostering the next generation of conservation leaders.