To remain a results-oriented goal-achiever who can work under pressure to meet set
targets. To always improve on my skill set. To utilize to best advantage my very good
communication skills. To always be ready to face challenges and build on my proven team
building and leadership skills.
Skills
Administration and Management
I am a results-oriented research scientist, trainer and administrator. I am a goal-achiever and can work under pressure to meet set targets. I am skilled in Museum and Heritage Management including identifying and defining risks and opportunities facing business units.
I am a skilled researcher in population biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, zoological
taxonomy and systematic; and I am adept at computer aided statistical analysis up to
Doctoral research level.
I have very good communication skills in English and an accomplished trainer at tertiary
level.
Computer skills
I have highly developed Computer skills in word processing, E-mail and Internet;
I can create, edit and manage databases and spreadsheets to carry out statistical research;
I have developed expert use of advanced statistical algorithms in biometric research.
Education
ACADEMIC & PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:
Master of Business Administration Degree (Executive MBA)
National University of Science and Technology, NUST Graduate School of Business,, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, 2003
Master of Science (Zoology), The Graduate School, Texas Tech University, Lubbock,, USA, 1989 (Magna cum laude)
Bachelor of Science (Biological Sciences), University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe, 1984
Advanced Level (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics), Perth College of Further Education, Perth, Scotland, United Kingdom, 1981.
Research focus and a brief summary of my research achievements.
I completed a detailed biochemical study based on allozyme electrophoresis on the
evolutionary genetics of five different species of fruit eating bats Rousettus, from Africa and all the way across Asia and the South Pacific Islands to determine the evolutionary radiation of this important genus. The study formed the bulk of my Masters Thesis at Texas Tech University and I graduated with a straight “A” pass and 4.0 Grade Point Average in all examined subjects (A. Kumirai, Unpublished Masters Thesis 1989, Texas Tech University).
I co-wrote a revision of the taxonomic status of the Genus Epomophorus, Benett 1836, to
set the correct relationships among diverse species complexes and bring order to the way the genus is treated in subsequent studies (Volpers and Kumirai 1995,and 1996).
Over the past ten years I collaborated with the University of Natal in Durban South Africa, and the Durban Natural Science Museum as well as the Natural History Museum of
Zimbabwe during which time I studied and published the results on the various species of
laminate-toothed rats comprising the highly polymorphic and widely distributed Otomys
irroratus species-complex or "rassenkreis" (Rodentia: Muridae: Otomyini) from southern
Africa and north of the Zambezi River, to investigate adaptive evolutionary relationships among them. (See Taylor P.J., Kumirai, A. 2001.)
I also addressed questions of conspecificity between Otomys irroratus and allied forms, and among members of the "anchietae group", using both principal component analysis and discriminant functions analysis based on craniometric data. Geometric morphometric
analysis of cranial shape and size variation was carried out on eight species of Otomys, and in cytotype-specific populations within one species, Otomys irroratus. Cranial size and shape variation between species could be explained by climate, habitat, phylogeny and burrowing behaviour.
By using multivariate statistical analyses of craniometric data, G-banded and C-Banded
allozyme karyotypes, and geometric morphometric (shape) analysis, I found that species
from arid, semi-arid and Mountain Fynbos habitats of South Africa were significantly smaller in size than remaining mesic-adapted species. Significant correlations were obtained between centroid size and both affine and non-affine components of skull shape in dorsal and ventral (but not mandibular) views. Subtle, but significant shape (but not size) differences were shown to distinguish the South African Otomys irroratus cytotypes (A, A1, A2, B and C) from the allopatric eastern Zimbabwe B cytotype population of O.irroratus. (see Taylor, Kumirai and Contrafatto 2004).
I revised the status of the species Otomys saundersiae using G-banding karyotypic analysis, assessment of pelage colour and craniodental traits, multivariate analysis of cranial distance measurements, and geometric morphometric analysis of landmarks of the dorsal image of the skull. Within both currently recognized species, significant geographical differences in cranial shape were detected between eastern and western Cape Provinces of South Africa populations occupying distinct ecological biomes. Problems with defining species limits in this complex case were discussed with reference to available data and alternative species concepts. (See Taylor, P. J., Kumirai, A. & Contrafatto, G. 2005).
I summarized patterns of variation in dental and cranial diagnostic characters across the
subfamily Otomyinae, in order to integrate qualitative and quantitative data. I did not only employ the "traditional" craniometric approach based on linear measurements, but I went further and investigated cranial shape relationships between otomyine rodents based on the more recent approach of geometric morphometrics. My approach was to employ multivariate statistical analyses based on craniometric data, geometric morphometric relationships, and the use of G and C banded chromosome karyotypes, so as to illuminate the intricate relationships among the various members of the Otomys irroratus rassenkreis and related taxa within the tribe Otomyini.
I revised the taxonomic status and species limits of the South African-endemic rodent
Scientific Research Publications
Taylor, P. J., Kumirai, A. & Contrafatto, G. 2005. Species with fuzzy borders: the taxonomic status and species limits of Saunders’ vlei rat, Otomys saundersiae Roberts (Rodentia: Muridae: Otomyini). Mammalia 69 (3-4): 297-322.
Taylor, P. J., Kumirai, A. & Contrafatto, G. 2004. Geometric morphometric analysis of
adaptive cranial evolution in southern African laminate-toothed rats (Family: Muridae;
Tribe: Otomyini). Durban Museum Novitates 29: 110-122.
Taylor P.J., Kumirai A. 2001. Craniometric relationships between the Southern African Vlei rat, Otomys irroratus (Rodentia, Muridae, Otomyinae) and allied species from North of the Zambezi River. In : Denys C. (ed.), Granjon Laurent (ed.), Poulet Alain (ed.). African small mammals = Petits mammifères africains. Paris : IRD, p. 161-181.
Kumirai, A., Muringaniza, S.J., Munyikwa, D. 2001. Victoria Falls / Mosi oa Tunya world
heritage site (Zambia and zimbabwe): issues and values. In: "Authenticity and integrity in an African context”. Paris, UNESCO, 2001. p.108-113.
Taylor, P.J., Kumirai, A. & Contrafatto, G. 1999. How many species of African laminate toothed rats July 1999) p. 15.
Kumirai,A. Taylor,P.J., Campbell, G.K., Contrafatto, G.C. 1995. How Many Species of Otomys? 8th Symposium of the African Small Mammal Association Paris, (4-9)
Volpers, T., and Kumirai, A. 1996. A review of the genus Epomophorus Bennet, 1836(Mammalia, Megachiroptera) in Zimbabwe. Arnoldia Zimbabwe 10:10, pp 103–109.
Volpers, T., and Kumirai, A. 1995. [1. Oekologie Afrikas. Oekologische Aspekte der
Verbreitung der Epomophorus-Flughunde (Mammalia, Chiroptera) in Simbabwe]/..
1. Ecology in Africa. Ecological aspects of the distribution of Epomophorus-fruit bats
(Mammalia, Chiroptera) in Zimbabwe. In: Verhandlungen der Gesellschaft fuer Oekologie. Goettingen 24. pp 89-92
Kumirai A., and Jones, J. K., Jr. 1990. Nyctinomops femorosaccus. Mammalian Species, American Society of Mammalogists. 349: 1-5
Relevant Career Experience
Employer
Position
Strategic and tactical balancing of internal and external relationships, taking into account the social, political, financial and technical environment, organizational policy, overseeing the financial accounting, marketing programs, staff productivity and the operations of the organization, and Research and Development priorities.
Representing Zimbabwe on the UNESCO World Heritage Committee as a natural sciences
expert; on ICOM; AFRICOM; PMDA; SAMP and many other heritage commitees.
Employer: Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe, Bulawayo.Senior Curator of Mammals
Position:
Duties: Scientific research and publication of scientific findings. Undertaking specimen acquisitions and field collecting expeditions. Handling scientific enquiries at all levels from public to professional, giving expert opinion on identification and analysis of plant and animal specimens, especially mammals.
Managing visitor galleries as exhibitions liaison officer in charge of collections
management.
Carrying out pre-development environmental impact assessments for compliance before any proposed construction projects commenced.
OTHER PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
Forest Resource Surveyor and Ecologist, Forestry Commission, Highlands, Harare, Zimbabwe 1984-85
Lecturered a course in Research Methods : University of Nairobi / Program for Museum Development in Africa, Mombasa, Kenya Nov-Dec 1999.
Lecturered a course in Research Methods : University of Nairobi / Program for Museum Development in Africa, Mombasa, Kenya Nov-Dec 1999.
Graduate Student Assistant Lecturer in Biology, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences: University of Natal, Durban, South Africa 1995-1996
Chairman of Expert Committee, Matobo Hills World Heritage Nomination Dossier,
UNESCO World Heritage Committee, Zimbabwe 2000-2002
Training Experience
• Providing training courses for adult students in Mathematics, Biology and English;
and teaching business courses for diploma students including marketing and strategic
business management.
• Supervising junior consultants and field researchers to maintain excellence and
efficiency in the value chain; giving seminars and training in strategic planning, field
research methods and impact assessments.
• Carrying out market research surveys, competitive analysis and customer perception
studies to ensure visibility of the firm's products and services to the market.
• Producing promotional and advertising material for publicity, corporate
communications, public relations and the print and electronic media.
• Team building and supervising work schedules for efficient process flow.
• Part –Time Teacher in Biology, Geography, Maths and General Science 1982-1983
• Biology Tutor, First and Second Year students, Faculty of Science, University of
Zimbabwe, 1984
• Human Biology Teacher for nursing students at Mpilo Hospital, Mzilikazi Secondary
School,1986
• Zoology and cell Science lecturer, University of Natal, Dept of Life and Environmental
Sciences, South Africa, 1995
• Freelance Business Training consultant in Dubai, United Arab Emirates 2005:
Commercial Research Consultancies
Environmental Impact Study of the Batoka Gorge Hydroelectric project, Zambezi River
Authority, Zambia/Zimbabwe, 1987.
Environmental Impact Study of the Hwange Colliery expansion Project, Plan Africa, 1993.
Environmental Impact Assessment of Industrial Effluent effects of the Richards Bay
Minerals on small mammal communities, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, 1995.
Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposed Bulawayo City Centre Mall and business complex, BTC, 1991.
United Nations International Cooperation Meetings Seminars and Presentations
1. UNESCO World Heritage Committee Meeting: Kyoto, Japan 1998
2. UNESCO World Heritage Committee Meeting: Marrakesh, Morocco 1999
3. UNESCO World Heritage Committee Meetings: Budapest, Hungary 2002
4. UNESCO World Heritage Committee Meetings in Paris, France 2003
5. Monitoring mission to examine the state of conservation of world heritage sites.
6. Synthetic Report of the World Heritage Meeting - Great Zimbabwe 2000
Research Accomplishments
Objectives
Albert Kumirai
