About NESCAN & NESCAN Hub

• Emeritus Professor of Postgraduate Medical Education (Postgraduate Medical Dean) University of Aberdeen 
• Retired medical doctor now working part time for NHS Grampian as a Secondary Care Appraiser and for the General Medical Council as an Associate
• Marr Area Partnership Board Member since 2021
• NESCAN Board Member since 2021 
• Chair Mid Deeside Community First Responders and active Responder with Scottish Ambulance Service since 2017     
• Coordinator Tarland Climate Crisis Group TCCG since formation in 2019 
• Co-Lead for CromarFood Waste Project (TDG/TCCG joint project) since 2020
• Member of Marr Paths Forum since formation in 2021
• My interests include hill walking, cycling and painting

• Professor of Plant Molecular Genetics, University of Aberdeen since 1998; conducting research on sustainability and grain quality in rice since 1991; 30+ graduated PhD students supervised; 120+ research papers; main collaborations in India, Bangladesh, Philippines, France, Italy and Spain. 
• Volunteer for Aberdeen Climate Action (ACA) since 2016 and currently co-lead of ACA’s Climate Café team.  
• Board of Directors, NESCAN Hub since 2021.  
• Amateur landscape photographer.

My name is Daria Shapovalova and I joined the NESCAN Board in early 2024. I am a Senior Lecturer in energy Law University of Aberdeen. At the University I am also the Director at the Centre for Energy Law and coordinator at the Just Transition Lab. In my research, I explore the role of law in facilitating a just and inclusive energy transition. Teaching and interacting with students is the most rewarding part of my day job. In 2022, I helped set up the Ukrainian Hub in Aberdeen. Originally from Ukraine, I’ve lived in Aberdeen for over 10 years and am proud to call it my home. I’m part of the Local Outcome Improvement Plan group on Sustainable City. In my spare time, I enjoy hillwalking, gardening, and baking.

Hi, I am Bruce, one of the new members of the NESCAN Hub board.

I am a mature student at the University of Aberdeen.

My interests include sustainable food systems and social-ecological systems.

My past endeavours have included conservation work and climate activism at the University.

I am also a keen vegetable grower and community gardener.

I hope I can provide some support and ideas to the many fantastic community groups NESCAN supports.

Jorg Kohnert was born in Germany and graduated from the Technical University Clausthal with an BSc in Engineering and an MSc Petroleum Engineering.

Upon earning his degrees, Jorg embarked on his career within the German coal mining industry, before joining Shell International. He worked for 23 years across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, starting off as a Drilling Engineer and culminating as the General Manager/Chairman of Shell in Cameroon. Following his Shell career, Jorg worked as Managing Director of Addax, Gabon, General Manager in Glencore, Cameroon and President/Chief Operating Officer of Green Gas Limited, China and latterly as Chief Operation Officer and Managing Director in Nigeria for Levene Energy (a young start-up) and Nigerdock – a shipyard and oilfield fabrication yard.

Having worked in Syria, the UK, the Sultanate of Oman, the Netherlands, China, the US, Nigeria, Gabon, Cameroon and visited countries like Iran, Kenia, Indonesia, South Africa, and Botswana he has first hand experience of the challenges a young business or an individual faces in different cultural environments.

In his most recent role, Jorg worked as Business Development Executive with an environmental services provider, covering conventional and renewable energy companies on projects conducting EIAs and biodiversity baselines in sensitive environmental habitats.

Relevant experience of oil and gas operations include on/offshore work in NL, offshore experience UK in SNS, CNS and NNS. Drilling and production, floaters, jack-ups and fixed installations. Gas production experience – onshore China, oil production experience - onshore, waxy crude in Africa. Marine supply base design/construction and operations.

Jorg retired from full-time work in November 2023 and joined a couple of NGOs working on important issues for the Northeast of Scotland.

Ainhoa is the Vice President for Communities at the University of Aberdeen Student's Union for the terms 2023/24 - 24/25. As a recent Biology graduate with a deep-seated passion for plant ecology, conservation, and agricultural science, Ainhoa is dedicated to advancing sustainability and environmental stewardship in all her endeavours.

Ainhoa was honoured with the Green Impact Individual Student Leadership Award in 2023, recognising the efforts and leadership in promoting sustainable practices. A certified Carbon Literate individual, this complements her role as a founding member of The Secret Garden Society and as the leader of the Hedgehog-friendly campus campaign at the University of Aberdeen. 

In 2024, Ainhoa had the opportunity to be a delegate at COP28, where she furthered her engagement in global climate advocacy. A climate activist and one of the main organisers of Fridays For Future Aberdeen, a movement that empowers youth to take action against climate change. She currently serves as a NESCAN Board Member. 

Ainhoa enjoys capturing the beauty of nature through photography and videography.