Davelyn Pastor PhD, Marine Biology
Interviewed as second year student
I'm Davelyn Pastor and I studied PhD, Marine Biology within Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton at the University of Southampton.
As an aspiring marine biologist, I view an advanced research degree as a valuable and continuing process in my professional development... The community of international students here has enhanced my academic experience in the same way as the Faculty staff. I can both make friends and build professional networks.
I worked in a research institute doing research in invertebrate culture, stock enhancement and involved in fisheries management (e.g. marine protected area establishment) in the Northwestern Philippines. I was awarded a fellowship grant (Ford Foundation-International Fellowships Program) to pursue a postgraduate research degree in the University of Southampton in 2009, with the aim of gaining specialist knowledge that I can take back with me to the Philippines when I graduate. As an aspiring marine biologist, I view an advanced research degree as a valuable and continuing process in my professional development; it trains me to think independently and encourages one to take advantage of wide array of expertise available for my project.
The range of research at NOCS in most areas of ocean science made it my first and best option when I was choosing my university. The expertise and knowledge of the Faculty members at Ocean and Earth Science are excellent and all the more impressive because people are accessible and always give time to their students to guide them in their research projects. The community of international students, from across different continents further enhances my academic experience in the same way that I find it worthwhile to make friends with and build professional networks with them.
My current project is in the growth, reproduction and recruitment of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas in Poole Harbour, Dorset. I investigated growth and reproductive cycle of this aquaculture species through a combination of field sampling, monitoring and histological processing of samples in the laboratory. Growth of juvenile Pacific oysters in relation to density and depth; the annual reproductive cycle and reproductive patterns of adult Pacific oysters in the Harbour are determined in relation to environmental parameters (temperature and chlorophyll-a concentration). Natural recruitment relative to the aquaculture area and adjacent areas is also determined to establish site-specific factors that affect the establishment of Crassostrea gigas in the area. Given the opportunity, I would want to finally focus on the recruitment dynamics of the Pacific oyster in the site as it has important implications on managing non-native species.
After I graduate, I plan to continue my work on invertebrate fisheries management, in implementing projects with selected coastal municipalities in Northwestern Philippines. I also plan to teach, with the hope of doing it along with my research. Being in the university is a good way for me to work with students and foster interest in the sciences. The University has an amazing support system towards research and the academic culture is just geared towards how the students will have better conducive atmosphere to gain the most valuable research experience.
Southampton itself is a modern, multi-cultural with good transport links and amenities. It is also in close proximity to the best places in the south coast of UK and I find it to have a very friendly atmosphere.