At the heart of our research community are passionate scientists working across continents, disciplines, and ecosystems. One of these inspiring researchers is Lilly Schell, whose work bridges international collaboration, cutting-edge remote sensing, and biodiversity conservation.

Building Bridges Through Science

Lilly plays a key role in the NetCDA project, an initiative focused on strengthening scientific collaboration and capacity building between African and German universities. Her work goes far beyond research—she is deeply involved in project coordination and organizational leadership, ensuring smooth cooperation among international partners.

Through this role, Lilly helps create opportunities for knowledge exchange, empowering researchers and students across institutions to tackle global environmental challenges together.

Teaching and Knowledge Sharing

A strong advocate for education, Lilly contributes to teaching activities in remote sensing at a partner university in Kumasi, Ghana. By sharing her expertise, she supports the development of local skills in geospatial analysis—tools that are increasingly vital for environmental monitoring and management.

Her teaching not only transfers technical knowledge but also fosters long-term academic partnerships and capacity building.

Researching Invasive Species in Vulnerable Ecosystems

Lilly’s research focuses on invasive plant species in protected areas of sub-Saharan Africa—a growing threat to biodiversity and ecosystem stability.

Using remote sensing data and spatial modelling, she analyzes how these species spread and interact with their environments. Her work helps identify patterns of invasion, offering insights that are crucial for conservation planning and intervention strategies.

From Satellites to Fieldwork

What makes Lilly’s work especially impactful is her ability to connect advanced data analysis with real-world observations. She is actively involved in the planning and implementation of field campaigns across Africa, collecting ground data that strengthens and validates her models.

This combination of satellite-based analysis and on-the-ground research ensures that her findings are both scientifically robust and practically relevant.

A Global Perspective on Environmental Change

Lilly Schell’s work exemplifies the power of international collaboration in addressing environmental challenges. By combining research, teaching, and coordination, she contributes to a more connected and capable global scientific community.

Her efforts not only advance our understanding of invasive species but also help build the foundations for sustainable environmental management across continents.