NF-POGO CofE-AWI Regional Training Programme in the Philippines Trainees doing hands-on chemical analyses. Photo: G. Jacinto
areas of HABs, but who have modest or no prior experience of the other fields of study.
Par cipant presen ng final project. Photo: G. Jacinto
The programme goals were to provide the trainees with fundamental interdisciplinary knowledge on HAB dynamics, give them the capability to assess HAB sites using satellite remote sensing technology, design standardized monitoring protocols, provide ini al skills and tools required to develop integrated HAB models, and help trainees conceptualise early warning systems for HABs in their home countries. Topics covered during the training programme ranged from physical, to chemical to biological aspects of HABs.
The local organisers and hosts of the Philippine Regional Training Programme were Drs Ale a T. Yñiguez and Laura T. David from the Marine Science Ins tute, University of the Philippines, Diliman (MSI-UPD). Mr. Joseph Dominic Palermo and Mr. Aldwin Almo, also from MSI-UPD, seconded the Training Programme. In addi on to the local organisers, there were six addi onal lecturers from the Philippines, mostly from MSI-UPD. Other guest lecturers were from Japan (1), Malaysia (1), South Africa (1), Singapore (1) and the USA (2). A representave from the CofE-AWI also a ended the training programme. In addi on to the guest lecturers, 14 staff members from UPD par cipated in the training programme. Most were from the MSI group located in Diliman though a few were resident at the Bolinao Marine Lab. These well-trained individuals proved to be excellent teachers, who provided help with various teaching du es and/or providing hands-on demonstra ons within their subject areas. A total of 24 selected trainees from six regional countries a ended the training programme. The trainees included scien sts from India (3), Indonesia (4), Malaysia (3), Philippines (9), Thailand (1), and Vietnam (4). The Centre of Excellence in Observa onal Oceanography (CofE) offered at the Alfred Wegener Ins tute, Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research, was the main external sponsor of the Philippine Regional Training Programme; the CofE-AWI is sponsored by and supported through NF-POGO.
NF-POGO: Building the foundation for success Dr William P. Cochlan Romberg Tiburon Center for Environmental Studies, San Francisco State University
M
y research interests concern the ecology and physiology of marine phytoplankton and bacteria, and their role(s) in nutrient and carbon cycling. I have worked on a number of species responsible for Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), par cularly toxigenic diatoms of the Pseudo-nitzshia genus and the fish-killing raphidophye – Heterosigma akashiwo. Previously, I have conducted field studies during three of the mesoscale iron enrichment projects including the equatorial Pacific Ocean (Iron Ex II), the north-
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eastern Pacific Ocean (SEEDS-II) and the Southern Ocean (SOFeX); experiments where toxigenic diatoms have o en been a resultant consequence of such iron enrichment studies. I have also ventured into the emerging world of algal biofuels in Hawaii, and most recently have been working on the nutri onal consequences of ocean acidifica on on marine phytoplankton in the produc ve upwelling systems along the west coast of North America. During all of my research efforts including my days in
graduate school in Canada at Dalhousie University, the Bedford Ins tute of Oceanography and the University of Bri sh Columbia, I have been fortunate to work with caring academic mentors and a close group of scien fic colleagues – their friendship and professional support have been essen al to my success, happiness, and produc vity in the marine
Contact us: Suriyan.S@chula.ac.th, info@nf-pogo-alumni.org, lilian.krug@nf-pogo-alumni.org NANO website: www.nf-pogo-alumni.org
