SU IEMS director receives ICRS John Ogden Presidential Membership Award

Dr. Aileen P. Maypa, Silliman University (SU) Institute of Environmental and Marine Sciences (IEMS) director, has been named one of the recipients of the International Coral Reef Society’s (ICRS) John Ogden Presidential Membership Award.

This recognition grants her a two-year membership to the ICRS, with full benefits equivalent to those of regular members.

According to the ICRS website, “Full ICRS membership will be granted for two years, allowing awardees the opportunity to apply for member-only travel awards to attend ICRS 2026 in New Zealand, as well as have access to other member benefits. The goal of this initiative is to increase the engagement of under-represented peoples from coral-rich, but financially challenged areas, as well as those from other reduced income nations.”

In his message to this year’s awardees, ICRS Treasurer Dr. John A. Burt explained, “The John Ogden Presidential Membership Award is dedicated solely for individuals from low- and middle-income developing nations, in honor of our past ICRS President, John Ogden, who sought throughout his career to make coral reef science and conservation more inclusive and diverse pursuits.”

Maypa received two e-mail notifications from Burt regarding the award. The first congratulatory message was sent on July 31, 2025, followed by a second message on August 15, 2025, officially welcoming her as “the newest John Ogden President’s Membership Awardee.”

She had earlier been notified of her nomination by ICRS through e-mail on June 10, 2025.

The John Ogden Presidential Membership Award was established to honor the memory of Dr. John Ogden, ICRS President from 1994 to 1998, who was known for inspiring inclusivity and collaboration in the field of marine science.

The award is open to scientists, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, resource managers, and policy makers from developing or low-income countries who are engaged in coral reef research and conservation.