In memory of Dr Tobias Nymba

Posted on 13 April 2023

The department is very sad to report the sudden and untimely death of Dr Tobias Nyumba on Wednesday 5 April at his home in Leeds.

Tobias was a bright - indeed brilliant - academic who was on track to reach the stars at a young age and be a guiding light for Kenya's future. His passion for elephant conservation and for ensuring there remained space for wildlife as Kenya continued to change and evolve was obvious to anyone who was lucky enough to meet him.

Following his PhD at the University of Cambridge, Tobias worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow on the Development Corridors Partnership at the African Conservation Centre, University of Nairobi until March 2022.

He thereafter started as a Marie-Curie Skłodowska Fellow in the Department of Environment and Geography at the University of York, leading his ‘Space for Giants’ project. Tobias recently returned from Kenya where he had been conducting some scenario training workshops with a wide range of participants - inspiring others.

In Kenya, he was able to engage a wide range of participants from students in Climate Change and Adaptation through to Government ministers, from Conservation Organisations to national environmental management councils.

Professor Rob Marchant who was Tobias’ line manager pays tribute: “I have known Tobias for about six years through various collaborations in Kenya. Tobias was a highly social person - always open, jovial, and ready to assist and to build capacity among his peers and students.

"This capacity building and willingness to support the wider community was clear from his engagement in the African Research Network, where he was particularly keen to champion Early Career Researchers from Africa, or those working on the continent. We keep fond memories of him, and in due course we will ensure that a lasting legacy for Tobias’s passion for wildlife and conservation persists.

"Indeed, I am sure those of us who knew Tobias will take a little bit of his passion and drive to ensure the things he cared about will be cared for into the future.”

Roland Gehrels, Head of Department of Environment and Geography at the University of York, added: “Tobias was a gifted scientist who had a bright future ahead of him. He was an expert in issues related to wildlife conservation, development and climate change in Africa and had built an impressive CV in these areas. His passing is a great loss to the scientific community and to our department where he had started to form friendships and collaborations.”

Tobias is survived by his wife Salima and children Jayden, Terry, Tobias Jr and a daughter in Kenya.

Tobias will be sorely missed by friends and colleagues not just in York but across the world.

Statement written by Professor Rob Marchant and Professor Roland Gehrels.