Meet The Staff

Executive Director

Dr. Ernest Ogbozor

Dr. Ernest Ogbozor is a scholar-practitioner of conflict, security, and development. His research explores the micro-level impact of conflict and the strategies used by local communities to cope with violence and protect their livelihoods. He worked with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as a frontline humanitarian response in Northern Nigeria. Dr. Ogbozor holds degrees in Agricultural Economics (University of Benina), an MBA in International Business Management (Lagos State University), an MA in Sustainable International Development (Brandeis University), and a PhD in Conflict Analysis and Resolution (George Mason University).

Adviser

Isioma Kemakolam

Dr. Kemakolam, Isioma is a change mobilizer with 20 years of professional experience in peacebuilding, governance, justice, and security sector reform in Nigeria, Ghana, Gambia, Liberia, Kenya and Burkina Faso. She has worked with various national and international NGOs where she excelled at building partnerships with government institutions, civil society organizations and traditional institutions. She has received several commendations and awards in recognition of her ability to design and supervise demonstration programs translating empirical evidence and political intention into sustained practices and policies. She has to her credit, written several articles and papers on peacebuilding, governance, justice and security. Isioma holds a PhD in Peace, Conflict and Development Studies and currently serves as the Conflict Advisor to the Partnership for Agile Governance & Climate Engagement (PACE) program managed by DAI Global UK.

Program Officer

Dr. Tukur Muhammad Mukhtar

Dr Tukur Muhammad Mukhtar teaches in the Department of History and International Studies, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. His area of research interest is social history with an emphasis on legal history. He was a Project Coordinator Research for the UDUS/GMU collaborative project funded by USIP; Enumerator, WANEP’s “Surviving Multiple Vulnerabilities: Voices of Farmers and Pastoralists in Border Regions (Sokoto State),” funded by the UNDP Borderland Centre Research Project; and co-researcher, “Armed Banditry and Community Resilience in Northwest Nigeria: Interface of Traditional and Modern Approaches of Mitigation Strategies,” funded by the MacArthur Foundation. He has also served in various academic and administrative positions at UDUS.

Program Director

Professor Don John Omale

Dr. Don John O. Omale is a UNODC Expert in Restorative Justice; and a British Chevening Scholar of Criminology. He is currently a Senior Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Derby (UoD), UK. Prior to joining UoD, Dr. Omale was a full-time Professor of Criminology and Security Studies, and Head of Department at the Federal University Wukari Taraba State, Nigeria. He holds a B.Sc. in Psychology (University of Nigeria, Nsukka), an M.Sc. in Criminology (University of Leicester, UK), and PhD Criminology with a specialist in Restorative Justice & Victimology at the Centre for Community and Criminal Justice, De-Montfort University Leicester, England, UK.

Project Assistant

David Kemedubei

David Kemedubei is a Project Assistant with the Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution Network. He holds a B.Sc. in political science from Afe Babalola University, a professional certificate in conflict management from the Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution and he is currently advancing his expertise with a master's program in Political Economy and Development Studies. With a strong background in peace and sustainable development, David has served in pivotal roles, including administrative and program officer at the Abdulsalami Abubakar Institute for Peace and Sustainable Development Studies. Presently, he contributes his skills and knowledge as a project assistant for the Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution Network, working within the Conflict Management and Community Policing Project of the United States Institute for Peace. His academic qualification and essential expertise in the field of conflict resolution support his commitment to building harmony and addressing societal conflicts.

Research Assistant

Austin Welch

Austin Welch is a Junior at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Global Conflict Studies with minors in Cybersecurity, Russian, and Mandarin. He has worked on political campaigns in Florida to elect officials who have signed bills providing relief and aid packages to citizens affected by conflict. Additionally, he helped displaced refugees in Latvia reintegrate into society. His professional goals include but are not limited to, peace development after conflict. This is why he is learning multiple languages to communicate with governmental organizations and citizens alike, in order to facilitate peace-building in regions affected by conflict.

Research Assistant

Sofia Farnsworth

Sofia Farnsworth is a senior at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Global Conflict Studies with minors in Homeland Security and Latin American Studies. She is originally from the suburbs of Washington DC and has interned for the Department of Defense and federal government contractors over the past four years. In addition, for the past six years Sofia has worked under the guidance of Dr. David Anderson, one of the world’s leading authorities on racial reconciliation, participating in efforts to increase communication between people of all colors, classes, and cultures. Her professional goals include peace-building and conflict mediation between individuals, organizations, and governments.

Research Assistant

Katie Lopez

Katie Lopez is a Junior at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Global Conflict Studies with minors in Humanities and Business Administration, as well as an accelerated master’s in Human Security and Resilience. A Human Rights Ambassador for the Noble Order of Human Excellence, she represented Guatemala during the 74th session of CICAD | OAS, advocating for critical issues on an international stage. Her academic focus centers on analyzing the “whys” and “hows” of conflict- examining the root causes, contributing factors, and pathways toward sustainable solutions. She believes that building human resilience and adaptability is essential for fostering lasting peace and addressing the challenges of an ever-changing world.