Top US marine biologist Nancy Knowlton to visit Manila

Dr. Nancy Knowlton. FACEBOOK PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—In commemoration of Coral Triangle Day last June 9, the US Embassy in Manila has announced the visit of eminent American marine biologist Dr. Nancy Knowlton of the Smithsonian’s Museum of Natural History on June 17-22 under the auspices of the Department of State’s US Speaker Program.

During her visit, Knowlton will engage with Filipino students, academics, government officials and museum curators in Manila and Batangas, and discuss coral reefs, biodiversity conservation efforts and marine research in the Philippines.

Planned events during her speaking tour include an outreach at Batangas National High School in Batangas City and an interaction with students at Philippine Science High School in Quezon City.

She will also meet with students and researchers from De La Salle University and the University of the Philippines at the Br. Alfred Shields Marine Biological Station in Lian, Batangas, for hands-on consultations and a dive to an area where these institutions are carrying out research in coral reef conservation.

Knowlton’s interaction with marine researchers will support enhanced bilateral engagement under the June 2012 US-Philippines Science and Technology Agreement.

Knowlton is currently the Sant Chair in Marine Science at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., where her research focuses on the diversity and conservation of life in the ocean.

Knowlton has also held advisory positions with the National Geographic Society, World Bank, Cosmos Prize and Census of Marine Life. She is the author of “Citizens of the Sea,” a National Geographic Society publication.