Samoa S Asigau

Email: ssacn6@mail.umsl.edu

Education:

2012 - Present: PhD Candidate in Ecology, Evolution and Systematics - Department of Biology, University of Missouri - Saint Louis

2009 - 2011: MSc in Ecology, Evolution and Systematics - Department of Biology, University of Missouri Saint Louis

2003 - 2006: BA in Environmental Science and Geography, University of Papua New Guinea.

Research Interests:

My project is part of a larger research on avian malaria in Galapagos and involves studying mosquitoes as vectors in transmitting Plasmodium in the archipelago. On a narrower scale, this involves vector identification, investigating the genetics, population dynamics, feeding ecology and movement patterns of mosquitoes implicated with avian malaria in Galapagos.

Being a native of Papua New Guinea which hosts island ecosystems similar to Galapagos, I've always been fascinated by nature and science. Thus, I believe that good science is crucial for successful conservation of tropical ecosystems like Galapagos, often deemed as a living museum and pilgrimage for nature enthusiasts like myself. That being said, the overall goal of this research is to provide scientific knowledge towards conservation efforts in Galapagos and essentially avoid scenarios like Hawaii (i.e.: co-introduction of avian malaria and pox resulted in extinction of endemic avifauna).

Research Experience

2011 - 2012: Research Scientist at Papua New Guinea Institute of Biological Research, Goroka - Papua New Guinea.

2013 (May - July) and 2014 (February - June): Field research in Galapagos on PhD dissertation as described below.

Media Coverage