Prof Judith Gobin, retiring after 25 years’ service at UWI St Augustine, hands over the deep-sea species named in her honour
The name “Lamellibrachia judigobini” may seem alien to most, but for those with knowledge of UWI St Augustine’s Department of Life Sciences (within the Faculty of Science and Technology) it’s quite familiar. This recently discovered deep-sea tubeworm is named in honour of the department’s own Professor Judith Gobin, an internationally recognised scholar in marine biology.
In March 2023, a team of scientists led by Dr Magdalena Georgieva from the Natural History Museum in London recognised Prof Gobin's work by naming the species after her, the first time a deep-sea species was named after a marine scientist from Trinidad and Tobago.
On July 26 of this year, Prof Gobin handed the Lamellibrachia judigobini over to the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) at an official ceremony at The UWI Zoology Museum. The ceremony had additional significance as she is retiring after 25 years at UWI St Augustine.
“I have brought the Lamellibrachia judigobini type specimen from the Natural History Museum in London back to Trinidad and Tobago where it belongs,” Prof Gobin, who is also the Head of the Department of Life Sciences, told those in attendance. “It will reside here forever at The UWI Zoology Museum where we expect to have many researchers visiting.”
A type specimen is a physical example of an organism used to formally describe a new species. It serves as the reference point for the species' identity and characteristics, ensuring consistency in class.
Gobin, who is a Professor of Marine Biology, and an advocate for sustainability and the protection of the marine environment, said, “I am extremely proud and humbled to present this scientific legacy to the UWI Zoology Museum at the St Augustine campus.”
Dean of the FST Dr Brian Cockburn received the tubeworm on behalf of the campus and congratulated Professor Gobin.
Those interested in viewing the specimen or some of the other fauna preserved at The UWI Zoology Museum in the Department of Life Sciences can contact Mr Rajindra Mahabir at rajindra.mahabir@sta.uwi.edu.
