Michaela Bhend is currently a Scientific Affairs Officer at the UN Environment Programme, focusing on emerging environmental issues within the Office of the Chief Scientist since October 2025. Michaela's previous positions include serving as a Graduate Student Intern at Hannover Milieu - en Veiligheidstechniek from July 2020 to April 2021, and working as an Environmental Engineer in Research & Development at GreenSoil Group from April 2021 to January 2024. Notably, during a research award at The University of Edinburgh in 2017, Michaela identified a significant pollution hazard in Funafuti while collaborating with Fijian government officials and Japanese academics and successfully managed a team of undergraduate geoscientists. Michaela holds a Master's degree in Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences from Utrecht University and participated in the Young Innovators Honours Program at the same institution, in addition to completing a degree in Environmental Geoscience at The University of Edinburgh.
Location
Nairobi, Kenya