FROM EXPERIMENTAL MARINE BIOLOGY TO COMPLEX SYSTEMS
Dr. Helen Yap
Dr. Helen T. Yap, Professor of Marine Science, graduated from the University of the Philippines – Diliman (BSc Marine Biology, magna cum laude), and obtained her doctorate from the Wilhelm-Pieck University in Rostock, the German Democratic Republic.
Among awards she has received are the Third World Academy of Science-National Academy of Science and Technology Science Prize; Outstanding Young Scientist; Outstanding Professional Awardee of the UP Alumni Association; Chancellor’s Award for Most Outstanding Researcher; and The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS). She was also a finalist for the 7th Madrigal-Gonzalez Best First Book Award (presented by Likhaan, University of the Philippines Institute of Creative Writing).
She served as Vice-Chair of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP) of the Global Environment Facility; Vice-Chair of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), Scientific Steering Committee; and two-time Chair of the Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine environmental Protection (GESAMP), an advisory body to the United Nations system.
After a career built on doing ecological experiments mostly underwater, she has developed an interest in complex systems, applying this to a “ONE-ECOSYSTEM” perspective encompassing terrestrial, freshwater and marine habitats and the quality of life of rural human populations.
