THE FORMER chair of the UST Department of Biological Sciences has been elected to lead the Federation of Institutions for Marine and Freshwater Sciences (FIMFS).
Assoc. Prof. Richard Thomas Pavia Jr., affiliated with the College of Science and Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences, has been elected to serve a three-year term as FIMFS president, following his recent tenure as vice president, which began in 2021.
Pavia, who earned his bachelor’s degree in biology in 1995 from UST, specializes in coral reef conservation, focusing on coral propagation and reef rehabilitation.
His research also explores how non-native freshwater fish and other aquatic species affect ecosystems, such as his 2023 article on the invasion risks of non-native fishes in the context of climate change.
FIMFS, an avenue for partnership and collaboration among institutions and individual members for marine and freshwater science research, announced Pavia’s election during the 56th FIMFS annual convention held at the Davao Oriental State University in Mati, Davao Oriental from Oct. 22 to 24.
This year’s annual scientific convention centered on the vital role of marine and freshwater sciences in safeguarding and sustaining aquatic environments for future generations.
Established in 1968, FIMFS comprises 38 higher-learning public and private institutions dedicated to advancing research and education in freshwater and marine sciences.
The University joined as a member in 2019 and has since been a contributor to its initiatives.
