News Releases

Professor Judith Gobin Elected President of the IABO

For Release Upon Receipt - August 9, 2023

St. Augustine


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ST. AUGUSTINE, Trinidad and Tobago. August 9, 2023 – Following an election process, on Wednesday 5th July, 2023 at the 6th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity in Penang Malaysia, Professor Judith Gobin of The University of the West Indies (The UWI), was named as President of the International Association for Biological Oceanography (IABO).

Professor Gobin is Head of the Department of Life Sciences in the Faculty of Science and Technology at The UWI’s Trinidad and Tobago St. Augustine Campus. Her promotion in 2020 to Professor in that Faculty and Department, made her the first woman to hold the position. 

She has research experience spanning 40 years with a primary focus on marine biodiversity of macrobenthic communities in soft sediments, rocky shores, and the deep sea. These studies continue to be critical towards greater understanding and informed conservation and management of marine resources.  

As the President of the IABO, she plans to focus on bringing the voices of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) into the global marine discussions and encouraging research towards beating marine pollution, protecting and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity as well as developing a sustainable and equitable ocean economy. 

“IABO will continue to disseminate professional and research opportunities and information about scientific events through its portals”, she said. “At the same time, we stand committed to our core objective of promoting the advancement of knowledge of the biology of the sea by providing opportunities for communication between and amongst marine biologists globally.” 

Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology, Dr. Brian Cockburn, congratulated Professor Gobin on her latest achievement, “I am delighted that yet another UWI academic has been recognized by a world organization. We wish her and the IABO the very best in its critical work at this time of climate crisis.” 

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About The University of the West Indies 

The UWI has been and continues to be a pivotal force in every aspect of Caribbean development; residing at the centre of all efforts to improve the well-being of people across the region for the past 75 years. 

From a university college of London in Jamaica with 33 medical students in 1948, The UWI is today an internationally respected, global university with near 50,000 students and five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda and its Open Campus, and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe. 

The UWI offers over 800 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the Caribbean’s leading university, it possesses the largest pool of Caribbean intellect and expertise committed to confronting the critical issues of our region and wider world. 

The UWI has been consistently ranked among the top universities globally by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE). The UWI is the only Caribbean-based university to make the prestigious lists since its debut in the rankings in 2018. In addition to its leading position in the Caribbean in the World University Rankings, it is also in the top 25 for Latin America and the Caribbean and the top 100 global Golden Age universities (between 50 and 80 years old).  The UWI is also featured among the leading universities on THE’s Impact Rankings for its response to the world’s biggest concerns, outlined in the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Wellbeing; Gender Equality and Climate Action. 

2023 marks The UWI’s 75th anniversary. The Diamond jubilee milestone themed “UWI at 75. Rooted. Ready. Rising.” features initiatives purposely designed and aligned to reflect on the past, confront the present, and articulate plans for the future of the regional University. 

Learn more at www.uwi.edu   

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