• Bio

Biosketch

I am an entomologist and behavioural ecologist with more than a decade of research experience in the population ecology of neotropical organisms, with expertise in animal behaviour and the effects of human activities on insect and vertebrate populations. My work also focuses on strengthening biodiversity research capacity in Guyana, promoting greater equity between the Global North and Global South in entomological research, and advancing biodiversity monitoring by integrating traditional field methods
with emerging approaches such as environmental DNA (eDNA). My field experience includes observational studies, biodiversity inventories, ecological assessments, and specimen collection across forests, mangroves, freshwater systems, ecotones, wetlands, and savannahs. I also have field and laboratory experience in specimen identification, population monitoring, bioindicator ecology, gene flow analysis, and stakeholder engagement.

At the University of Guyana, I fulfil roles in leadership, mentorship, administration, and teaching that support research training and institutional capacity building. As Director of the Centre for the Study of Biological Diversity, I oversee administrative and training activities, supervise student interns, and manage research grants, guide specimen identification and verification, and support the curation of national reference collections. I also co-coordinate student-based programs at the Centre. As a lecturer, I teach, examine, and supervise research in the B.Sc. Biology, M.Sc. Forest Biology, and Ph.D. Biodiversity programs. I also serve as an in-country manager and principal investigator for multiple local and international collaborative projects. In these roles, I have led transdisciplinary teams and contributed to proposal development, budgeting and financial oversight, staffing, and the coordination of field- and laboratory-based research and training activities. 

In addition, I sit on several national and regional biodiversity and environment-related boards and contribute to working groups focused on biodiversity data collection, use, and policy development in Guyana and the Amazon. I also contribute nationally to the Convention on Biological Diversity in the areas of taxonomy, digital sequence information, and the Nagoya Protocol.

EDUCATION

2026 Un Caribe Biocultural: Maritorios, Territorios Y Otros Sistemas Sociecológicos Caribeños, Escuela De Verano – Curso (July 2026), Universidad Nacional De Colombia

2025 Postgraduate Course—Introducción a Genómica de la Biodiversidad—Introduction to Biodiversity Genomics. This course is part of the Specific Training of the Doctorate in Science and Technology (Ord. 13/16 CS. - Res. Min. 223/2023) of the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences (UNCUYO)

2023 M.B.A.; Commonwealth Master of Business Administration. University of Guyana, Guyana S.A. 

2016 Ph.D. Biology; University of Missouri, St. Louis, U.S.A. Focal areas: Evolution, Ecology, Behaviour, and Systematics.

2011 M.Sc. Plant and Environmental Sciences (By Research); University of Warwick, U.K. 

2006 Dip. at the Professional Level, International Diploma for Teachers and Trainers. University of Cambridge, U.K.

2005 B.Sc. Biology, University of Guyana. Guyana, S.A. 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Director; Centre for the Study of Biological Diversity.

• Administrative lead on CSBD projects, services, internships, grants, and training activities
• Co-coordinator of CSBD student volunteer & internship programmes

Senior Lecturer; Department of Biology 

• Courses: Genetics and Evolution, Entomology (BSc Level), Special Topic Essays (MSc Level), Research (BSc, MSc, and PhD levels)
• Undergraduate and Graduate research advisor in the Faculties of Natural, Health Sciences, and
  Earth and Environmental Sciences. 
• Research examiner for BSc Biology, MSc Forest Biology, and PhD Biodiversity.  

MEMBERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES

2026 Caligo Genomes of Tropical Butterflies and Moths 

2025 2nd Triennium of Research Advisory Committee (RAC) of CXC

2025 Global Biodiversity Alliance

2025 ACTO Focal Point (Guyana) of the Working Group of RES/XIV MRE-OTCA/16 Intergovernmental Technical-Scientific Panel for the Amazon.

2024 - Present DSI Scientific Network 

2024-2025 Entomological Society of America  

2023 - Present Trustee, Sophia Point Rainforest Research Centre

2020 - Present National Focal Point for Global Taxonomy Initiative and consultant on Digital Sequence Information under the Convention on Biological Diversity 

2019 - Present Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission (GWCMC) Scientific Committee 

2019-2020 Guyana EPA Environmental Assessment Board 

2019-2020   National Technical Working Group on Data and Statistics 

2019-2020 Multilateral Environmental Agreements Committee

2018-Present Women in Nature Network (WINN)

2016, 2025 The Lepidopterist Society 

SELECT PUBLICATIONS
Journal Articles 

• Halsch, C. A., Forister, M. L., Skinner, G. L. V., Outhwaite, C. L., Belitz, M. W., Maharaj, G., Code, A., Guzman, L. M., Van Deynze, B., Steibl, S., Stoll, E., De Knijf, G., Dittemore, C. M., Gath, L., Fowler-Finn, K. D., Bal, P., Marsh, J. R., Jadhav, A., Owens, A. C. S., . . . Wagner, D. L. (2026). Drivers of insect decline: Direct, indirect, and combined pressures. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. https://doi.org/10.1093/aesa/saag037
• Bhagarathi, L. K., Maharaj, G., Da Silva, P. N. B., & Charles, E. (2026). Methods for sampling and collecting insect pollinators and flower visitors in global mangrove ecosystems: A critical systematic review. World Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences, 11(1), 1–70. https://doi.org/10.53346/wjapls.2026.11.1.0015. 
• Maharaj, G., & Winstanley, D. (2026). Effect of precipitation and elevation on butterfly family presence and abundance within various habitat types in central Guyana. Acta Entomologica et Zoologica, 7(4), Part A, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.33545/27080013.2026.v7.i4a.317 
• Stoll, E., Maharaj, G. (2026). Seasonality of terrestrial insect families in a neotropical mixed forest environment. Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies, 14(1), 212–221. https://doi.org/10.22271/j.ento.2026.v14.i1c.9697
• Bhagarathi, L. K., Maharaj, G., & Da Silva, P. N. (2025). A Review of Factors Affecting Insect Pollinators and Pollination in Mangrove Ecosystems. World Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences, 2025, 08(02), 061-091. https://doi.org/10.53346/wjapls.2025.8.2.0031 
• Weksler, M., D’Elía, G., Teta, P., Bolaños, A. R., Bocchiglieri, A., Delfraro, A., .Maharaj, G... & Rueda-Isaza, X. (2025). A comprehensive survey of mammal collections and genetic resources in South America: challenges and directions. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 146(1), blaf069. https://doi.org/10.1093/biolinnean/blaf069
• Muñoz-García, M., Bansal, K. C., Bao, Y., Brinkley, S. C., Buzan, E., Castle, D., . Maharaj, G... & Scholz, A. H. (2025). Navigating COP16’s digital sequence information outcomes: What researchers need to do in practice. Patterns, 6(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.patter.2025.101208
• Bhagarathi, L. K., Maharaj, G., & Da Silva, P. N. (2025). Insect pollinator diversity and pollination mechanisms among mangrove species: A systematic review. World, 8(02), 015-052. https://doi.org/10.53346/wjapls.2025.8.2.0028 
• Sánchez Herrera, M. & Maharaj, G. (2025). Promoting Equity Between the Global North and Global South in Entomological Research. Current Opinion in Insect Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cois.2025.101357
• Maharaj, G., & Yang, H. (2024). Thermoregulatory Behaviours of Anartia jatrophae (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae): A Baseline study. Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 12, 5. https://doi.org/10.22271/j.ento.2024.v12.i5b.9395
• Sánchez Herrera, M., Forero, D., Calor, A. R., Romero, G. Q., Riyaz, M., Callisto, M., ... & Maharaj, G. (2024). Systematic challenges and opportunities in insect monitoring: a Global South perspective. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 379(1904), 20230102. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2023.0102
• De Freitas, K., Maharaj, G., Fan, H. W., & Kallel, H. (2024). Contribution of international cooperation in the management of the first documented case of Lonomia caterpillar envenoming (Lonomism) in Guyana. Toxicon, 247, 107852. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.107852
• Harris, A. E., Maharaj, G., Hallett, M., Thomas, R., Roopsind, A., O'Shea, B. J., & Bicknell, J. E. (2024). Variable shifts in bird and bat assemblages as a result of reduced‐impact logging revealed after 10 years. Journal of Applied Ecology, 61(1), 145-159. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14537
• Bhagarathi, L. K., DaSilva, P. N., Maharaj, G., Balkarran, R., & Baksh, A. (2024). An overview on the production, management and impact of microplastic contamination on marine species and marine environments: A review. World Journal of Advanced Science and Technology, 06(02), 001–034. https://doi.org/10.53346/wjast.2024.6.2.0051
• Alli, S., Singh, S., Lakenarine, R., Hemraj, D., Maharaj, G., & Ram, M. (2024). Distribution and Characteristics of Microplastics in the Mangrove Sediments of Guyana, South America. Soil and Sediment Contamination: An International Journal, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1080/15320383.2024.2445835
• Bhagarathi, L. K., & Maharaj, G. (2023). Impact of climate change on insect biology, ecology, population dynamics, and pest management: A critical review. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 19(3), 541-568. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2023.19.3.1843
• Daniels, A., Maharaj, G., Ram, M., & Lakenarine, R. (2023). Biological control methods for agricultural mites: A review. Agricultural Reviews, 44(1), 12-21. DOI: 10.18805/ag.RF-247 Harris, A. E., Maharaj, G., Hallett, M. T., Pierre, M. A., Chesney, C., & Melville, A. (2023). Influence of diet overlap and nest-site aggression on human–black caiman in Guyana. Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 28(4), 372-381. https://doi.org/10.1080/10871209.2022.2043491
• Bhagarathi, L. K., DaSilva, P. N., Subramanian, G., Maharaj, G., Kalika-Singh, S., Pestano, F., ... & Cossiah, C. (2023). An integrative review of the biology and chemistry of lichens and their ecological, ethnopharmacological, pharmaceutical and therapeutic potential. GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 23(3), 092-119. https://doi.org/10.30574/gscbps.2023.23.3.0223
• Harris, A. E., Hallett, M. T., Davis, M., Carter, M., Singh, D., Roopsind, A., Maharaj, G., & Bicknell, J. E. (2023). Use of logging roads by terrestrial mammals in a responsibly managed neotropical rainforest in Guyana. Forest Ecology and Management, 548, 121401. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2023.121401
• Bhagarathi, L. K., Maharaj, G., DaSilva, P. N., & Subramanian, G. (2022). A review of the diversity of lichens and what factors affect their distribution in the neotropics. GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 20(3), 027-063. https://doi.org/10.30574/gscbps.2022.20.3.0348
• Alfred, S., Ram, M., Lakenarine, R., Hemraj, D., & Maharaj, G. (2022). Occurrence and characteristics of microdebris in commercial fish species of Guyana, South America. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 182, 114021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114021
• Stoll, E., Roopsind, A., Maharaj, G., Velazco, S., & Caughlin, T. T. (2022). Detecting gold mining impacts on insect biodiversity in a tropical mining frontier with SmallSat imagery. Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation, 8(3), 379-390. https://doi.org/10.1002/rse2.250
• Dasrat, C. M., & Maharaj, G. (2021). Biological control of mosquitoes with odonates: A case study in Guyana. Nusantara Bioscience, 13(20): 163-170. https://doi.org/10.13057/nusbiosci/n130205
• Singh, N., Singh. D., Maharaj, G., and Persaud, M. (2019). The effect of infestation with rice water weevil (Helodytes foveolatus Duval) on the growth and development of rice (Oryza sativa L.) in Guyana. Tropical Agriculture (Trinidad) 96:86-92. https://doi.org/10.37234/TA96012019/0000960109 
• Maharaj, G., Winstanley, D., and Bourne, G.R. (2019). Diversity and Habitat Affinities of Butterfly Families in Central Guyana, South America. Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies. 7(5): 411-417 E-ISSN: 2320-7078 P-ISSN: 2349-6800.  
• Maharaj, G., Horack, P., Yoder, M., and Dunlap, A.S. (2018). Influence of pre-existing preference for color on sampling and tracking behavior in bumble bees. Behavioral Ecology. 30(1):150-8 https://doi.org/10.1093/beheco/ary140
• Maharaj, G., and Bourne, G.R. (2017). Honest signalling and the billboard effect: how heliconiid pollinators respond to the trichromatic color-changing Lantana camara l. (Verbenaceae). Journal of Pollination Ecology, 20(5):40-50 https://doi.org/10.26786/1920-7603(2017)three

Book Contributions, National Technical Reports & Fields Guides

2025 Picq, S., Vandegrift, M., Maharaj, G., Bayney, A., Lewis, R., & Garcia, S. Acarai–Corentyne Corridor Final Report – environmental DNA (RI32). In Rapid Inventory Report 32. Technical report submitted to the Government of Guyana.

2022   Kenneth Butler, Gyanpriya Maharaj. Selected Butterflies of Surama. Field Museum- Field Guide. 

2021 Maharaj, G., Bourne, G., & Ansari, A. A Review of Floral Color Signals and Their Heliconiid Butterfly Receivers [Online First], IntechOpen, DOI: 10.5772/intechopen 98666. Available from: https://www.intechopen.com/online-first/77291 (Book Chapter)

2016 State of the Environment Report. Chapter 6- Biodiversity, p251-302. Contributing Author. https://www.greengrowthknowledge.org/sites/default/files/downloads/policy-database/GUYANA%29%20State%20of%20the%20Environment%20Report%202016.pdf

2012 Wetlands of Guyana. An insight into the ecology of selected wetlands with recommendations from WWF- Guianas. Published by WWF Guianas. Contributing Authors: Patrick Williams, Aiesha Williams, Elroy Charles, Calvin Bernard, Oronde Drakes, Waldyke Prince, Sopheia Edghill, Dulcie Abraham, Glenny King, Gyanpriya Maharaj, and Tameka King. 249 p. ISBN 8577155005, 9788577155002.

2009 An Introduction to the Butterflies of the Iwokrama Forest and the Communities of the North Rupununi District of Guyana, South America. The Darwin Initiative Project (ref. 15/013). Coordinating and Contributing Author – Field Guide.

SELECT GRANTS
ASU Climate Imagination Mini-Fellowship
Project: Forest Detectives: Using Terrestrial Bioindicators to find Climate Clues in Nature.
Role: Principal Investigator. 

BIO-TRACK AMAZONIA 2025
Project: International Research Network on Biodiversity Tracking in Amazonia through Environmental Genomics - Amazonian eDNA International Research Network (IRN).
Role: Co-principal investigator and In-country co-coordinator.   The Guiana Shield in the face of global change 2025
Project: Advancing Environmental Genomics for Biodiversity Monitoring in Amazonia.
Role: Co-principal investigator and In-country co-coordinator.

Greater Guyana Initiative Grant 2022-2024 
Project: Establishment of the CSBD Biodiversity training room, specimen preparation stations, and DNA barcoding lab. Role: Project technical lead

Guianas Sustainable Natural Resources Management Project, WWF-GUIANAS, NORAD Grant, 2020. 
Project: Achieving a Green State: Building human capacity for natural resource management in
Guyana - Part 2. Role: Co-principal investigator and In-country co-coordinator. 

Conservation International, NORAD Grant, 2018.
Project: Restoring ecosystem functions to a degraded mining site in Guyana.
Role: Co-Principal Investigator.

Shared Resources Joint Solutions (SRJS) programme in the Guianas Grant. 2018.
Project: Gender Inclusiveness in Science (Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, and Mathematics/Physics/Statistics) at the University of Guyana.
Role: Co-principal investigator and co-coordinator. 

Guianas Sustainable Natural Resources Management Project, WWF-GUIANAS, NORAD Grant, 2018. 
Project: Achieving a Green State: Building human capacity for natural resource management in Guyana.
Role: Co-principal investigator and In-country co-coordinator. 

Idea Wild research grant, 2015
Project: Colour-mediated foraging by pollinators: A comparative study of two passionflower butterflies at Lantana camara.
Role: Principal Investigator. 

University of Missouri St. Louis Biology Graduate Student Association Research Grant, 2015 
Project: Colour-mediated foraging by pollinators: A comparative study of two passionflower butterflies at Lantana camara.
Role: Principal Investigator. 

Rufford Foundation Small Grant for Research, 2014
Project: Colour-mediated foraging by pollinators: A comparative study of two passionflower butterflies at Lantana camara.
Role: Principal Investigator.