Dr Amy Deacon, lecturer in Zoology in the Department of Life Sciences, has been awarded the Fisheries Society of the British Isles (FSBI) Medal 2022 for her “exceptional advances” in the study of fish biology and fisheries science. She received her medal at the FSBI 2022 Annual Symposium held from July 25 to 29 in Nottingham, England.
The FSBI Medal is awarded to an early career scientist who has made great progress in the field. Dr Deacon was announced as the winner in February 2022. She received her medal in person, and gave a talk on her research at the symposium held at Nottingham Trent University.
“I feel incredibly honoured to have been chosen to receive this medal,” she said in an interview with UWI TODAY. “It is especially nice to be recognised not just for my scientific contributions, but also for raising awareness of freshwater biodiversity more broadly. For me, both are vital given the imminent threats to freshwater habitats globally – and particularly in the tropics.”
Dr Deacon also expressed gratitude to her colleagues and students, singling out her former PhD supervisor Professor Anne Magurran (a Professor of Ecology at the University of St Andrews in Scotland).
“Professor Magurran continues to be an invaluable mentor long after I submitted my thesis more than 12 years ago,” she said.
At the symposium, she presented on the topic “Bringing the Guppy Home”, which focused on her Trinidad-based research that has shed light on the guppy’s role as an invasive species globally.
When asked what this achievement means for her work in the field, Dr Deacon said, “It is particularly motivating to know that some of my long-term goals as a scientist, such as mentoring future Caribbean scientists to build capacity for conservation and ecology research, and raising public awareness of issues facing tropical freshwater habitats and species, are goals that are valued by international learned societies such as the FSBI. It motivates me to continue working towards these goals.”
Describing herself as a “kid who enjoyed rock-pooling and pond- dipping”, Dr Deacon followed her natural passions into the science of zoology at A-Levels. That passion only intensified when she came to T&T.
“There is so much incredible diversity here and the chance to encounter many species that are not easily seen elsewhere,” she said. “I’ve lived here for 12 years now, but the excitement of seeing animals such as leatherback turtles, hummingbirds or praying mantises has yet to wear off!”
She added that the world is facing a biodiversity crisis and “it has never been more important to study the species that we stand to lose”.
More information on Dr Deacon’s research, outreach and other naturalist activities can be viewed at her website https://amydeacon.weebly.com/
