Prof. Felix is the chair of the ARIN Advisory Board and the Focal Point for the Southern Africa region. He is an Associate Professor of Environment and Development at the Copperbelt University in Zambia. He holds a PhD in Environment from the University of Leeds, as well as an MSc in Forest Science and BSc in Forestry. He currently holds the post of Senior Lecturer position at the Copperbelt University, Kitwe, Zambia. He is a socio-ecologist with research interests in ecosystem services and human-environmental relationships including environmental change and implication on risks and vulnerability of communities and ecosystems to these changes. He has authored several scientific papers and provided policy guidance to governments.

Professor Kalaba is a Lead Author for the 6th global assessment for the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) and has been involved in scoping exercise for transformative change assessment for the Intergovernmental Panel for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services.

Prof. Kalaba has provided consultancy services on climate change risks and vulnerability assessments to various organizations. He has conducted various risks and vulnerability assessments in Zambia and consultancy with the World Bank on writing the Forest Investment Plan for Zambia, where he focused on private sector engagement. The Investment Plan focused on implementing the Reduction of emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) strategy exploring investment options to help adapt and mitigate climate change. Dr. Kalaba provides advice to the Government of Zambia on policies such as the REDD+ National Strategy. His work has a strong focus on the delivery of community benefits through REDD+ and policy linkages and implications on the natural resource base. He has also provided consultancy services on various projects, such as mapping ecosystem services in Zambia, Tanzania, and South Africa, for UNCCD/Foundation for Sustainable Development.