NetNews

Thomas Okey '86, a senior quantitative marine ecologist at the Department of Marine and Atmospheric Research at the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) in Queensland, Australia, has been awarded a 2007 Pew Fellowship in marine conservation for climate change research.

Okey will receive $150,000 to conduct a three-year conservation project designed to address critical challenges to healthy oceans. He will use his Pew Fellowship to address climate change issues by performing a gap analysis of research on marine and coastal climate impacts and adaptation programs. The goal of the analysis is to aid in the development of more comprehensive and complementary science programs and innovative ideas for climate change impact assessment, management and communication.

A marine ecologist and conservation biologist who has focused on the effects of various human activities on marine communities and ecosystems and is now focused largely on the scientific, management and policy issues related to marine climate change impacts and on distinguishing these impacts from fisheries and pollution impacts, Okey earned his St. Lawrence degree in biology and a master's degree from the Moss Landing Marine Labs at San Jose State University. He earned the Ph.D. in zoology from the University of British Columbia in 2004.

The Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation funds research projects that address critical challenges in marine conservation while also supporting communication of that information to increase awareness of global marine issues. Five fellowships are awarded annually, by the Pew Institute for Ocean Science.

While an undergraduate, Okey was a member of the Outing Club, the Environmental Action Organization and the Rugby Club.

More information: Science at St. Lawrence

Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation Web site

Posted: March 1, 2007