The Pew Charitable Trusts has announced its 2025 cohort of Marine Fellows, recognizing outstanding individuals dedicated to addressing pressing challenges in ocean protection. The list of fellows was released on March 26 on Pew’s official website.
Dr. Aileen Maypa, a faculty member at the Silliman University (SU) Institute of Environmental and Marine Sciences (IEMS), is among this year’s distinguished fellows.
The Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation supports mid-career scientists and experts through a rigorous nomination and review process conducted by an international committee of marine science experts. Each selected fellow receives $150,000 spread over three years to develop innovative solutions to marine conservation issues. Since the program’s inception, Pew has recognized more than 200 marine fellows from more than 42 countries.
Maypa’s research will focus on developing science-based and community-friendly protocols to accelerate coral reef recovery in the Philippines. She plans to collaborate with scientists, conservation practitioners, and national government agencies to establish the country’s first nationwide coral restoration-focused network. Additionally, she will work closely with local communities to create accessible toolkits documenting best practices for reef restoration.
Through her work, Maypa aims to bridge scientific knowledge and community action, ensuring effective and sustainable coral restoration efforts in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, fictionist and professor Timothy Montes became a visiting professor for the Department of English and Literature from April 4-11.
A Biology graduate who went on to take his Master’s in Creative Writing at Silliman University, Montes has received numerous national literary awards, including the Palanca, Graphic, Free Press, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Writers Prize.
Anvil published his short story collection, The Black Men, in 1994. He co-edited Tribute, a memorial anthology in honor of Edilberto K. Tiempo. He also served as director-in-residence of the Silliman University National Writers Workshop and has taught literature and creative writing at Silliman University, University of the Philippines-Mindanao, and De La Salle University-Manila.
During his visiting professorship in April, Montes held fiction classes with Creative Writing majors and took part in a faculty session with the Department of English and Literature.
He also gave a public lecture titled, “The Social Conscience of Silliman Poets,” on April 8 at Silliman Hall. The public lecture was part of the Albert Louis Faurot Lecture Series hosted by the Culture and Arts Council (CAC), a long-time partner of the Silliman University National Writers Workshop.
Previous visiting professors of the Department include Outstanding Sillimanian Awardee Dr. Marjorie Pernia-Evasco and immediate past director-in-residence Dr. Dinah Roma. | NWI
