Program Director MSc Sustainability, Entrepreneurship & Technology, Professor of Sustainability & Innovation

Prof. Dr. Sami Asad

With over a decade of experience as an ecologist, Sami leads the MSc SET program, bringing deep expertise in biodiversity, sustainable land use, and environmental impact. He’s passionate about research-informed teaching that empowers future leaders to solve real-world sustainability challenges.

Biography

Dr. Sami Asad is Professor of Sustainability & Innovation and Program Director for the Professional Master’s and MSc programs at Tomorrow University of Applied Sciences. With a PhD in Ecology and Conservation, he brings a science-based, systems-thinking approach to sustainability education. Sami’s teaching emphasizes critical problem-solving and real-world application, empowering learners to address global environmental challenges. His expertise spans biodiversity research, sustainable land use, and nature-based solutions for critical social and environmental challenges.

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Previously Worked At

The Brilliant Club, Freie Universität Berlin, University of Potsdam, Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Shallow waters - Marine research and conservation Cambodia, Sakaerat Reptile Ecology Project

Research Profile

Sami’s research investigates the ecological impacts of anthropogenic land use, with a focus on tropical forest ecology, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable forestry practices. He studies species dynamics, habitat relationships, and the broader consequences of commercial land use to inform sustainable management. His PhD examined the impact of various forestry practices on amphibian biodiversity, and was used to guide sustainable forestry practices in Malaysia. Sami’s research bridges scientific inquiry and practical application, supporting resource management strategies that balance ecological integrity with socioeconomic needs.

Papers

Tan, W.C., Vitalis, V.,Siku, J., Rödder, D., Rödel, M. O., and Asad, S. (Submitted) High freshwater turtle occupancy in a sustainably managed tropical forest. Journal of Wildlife Management.

Asad, S., Vitalis, V., Guharajan, R., Abrams, J.F., Lagan, P., Kissing, J., Sikui, J., Wilting, A. and Rödel, M.O. 2022. Variable species but similar amphibian community responses across habitats following reduced impact logging. Global Ecology and Conservation, 35: e02061.

Asad, S., Ng, S.T., Sikui, J. and Rödel, M.O. 2022. Variable detectability and El-Nino associations with riparian snakes in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Journal of Tropical Ecology, 38(1): 25-30.

Asad, S., Sikui, J., Binjamin, B. and Rödel, M.O. 2021. Natural history of three freshwater turtle species within two logging reserves in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Salamandra, 57(2): 251-262.

Asad, S., Abrams, J.F., Guharajan, R., Lagan, P., Kissing, J., Sikui, J., Wilting, A. and Rödel, M.O. 2021. Amphibian responses to conventional and reduced impact logging. Forest Ecology and Management, 484: p.118949.

Asad, S., Abrams, J.F., Guharajan, R., Sikui, J., Wilting, A. and Rödel, M.O. 2020. Stream amphibian detectability and habitat associations in a reduced impact logging concession in Malaysian Borneo. Journal of Herpetology, 54(4): 385-392.

Mathai, J., Sollman, R., Meredith, M.E., Belant, J.L., Niedballa, J., Buckingham, L., Wong, S.T., Asad, S. and Wilting, A. 2017. Fine-scale distributions of carnivores in a logging concession in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. Mammalian Biology-Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde, 86: 56-65.

Professional Community Services

Peer-reviewed Conference Presentations

“Amphibians and reduced impact logging: variable species but similar community responses”

“Stream amphibian responses to different logging types in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo”

Prizes/scholarships

07/2019: Elsa Neumann stipendium: €13,236 per annum (3 years)

10/2018: German Herpetological society (DGHT): €2,500

10/2018: Columbus zoo and aquarium conservation grant: $4,939

11/2017: Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Innovation fund: €6,600

10/2017: Auckland zoo conservation fund: NZ$ 2,9437

Talks

2017, 2018 and 2019, Berlin/Hamburg: Science slam: Frogs and deforestation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pvwtaZPicI&t=450s

Thesis Supervised

Title of the Thesis

First & Last Name

Impact Master of Science

Konrad joined Tomorrow University to pivot from corporate leadership into purpose-driven impact. Through the MBA, he deepened his expertise in tech and sustainability while gaining the confidence to embrace a new mission: amplifying change through strategy and storytelling. His journey includes launching the SDG Ambition Guide and producing films that inspire climate action.

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Teaching at Tomorrow University

Programs

Skills You Can Learn

Sustainability Education

Sustainable Land Management

Science-Based Decision-Making

Quantifying Biodiversity Responses

Ecological Conservation Strategies

Community-Based Conservation

Sustainable Resource Management

AI Applications in Conservation

Tropical Ecosystem Analysis

Habitat Restoration Techniques

Illegal Wildlife Trade Mitigation

Pharmaceutical Biodiversity Applications

Biodiversity Monitoring Techniques

Environmental Science Foundations

Anthropogenic Climate Change Analysis

Scientific Writing

Stakeholder Collaboration

Conservation Policy Development

Ethical Land Use Practices

Logging and Forestry Impact Analysis

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