I am Jason Tuang-tuang, a Filipino marine biologist committed to the conservation, protection, and sustainable management of marine ecosystems. Throughout my career, I have collaborated with government agencies, academic institutions, and non-government organizations in the Philippines and abroad. 

My research has focused on coral reef status and biodiversity, threatened coral species, benthic communities, marine protected areas, and evidence-based approaches to coastal resource management. I have worked in research and academic roles at institutions including Visayas State University (VSU), Southern Leyte State University - Bontoc (SLSU-Bontoc), University of the Philippines - The Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI), and Palompon Institute of Technology (PIT). 

I am currently pursuing a doctorate degree in the use, management, and preservation of natural resources (marine biology track) at the Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C. (CIBNOR) in Mexico, where I investigate the phenotypic plasticity and transcriptomic responses of Pocillopora corals in relation to environmental conditions and climate change. 

I have authored and co-authored peer-reviewed publications, including studies on the corallite micromorphological variation in Pocillopora corals in the Gulf of California, status and biodiversity studies on corals and reef-associated benthic macroinvertebrates in Northwest Leyte, Philippines and research on decision-support methods for managing the protection of marine resources. 

I am an associate member of the National Research Council of the Philippines and a lifetime member of the Philippine Association for Marine Science, the Federation of Institutions for Marine and Freshwater Sciences, and the Sociedad Mexicana de Arrecifes Coralinos (Mexican Society of Coral Reefs). Recently, I received the President John Ogden Membership Award to officially become a member of the International Coral Reef Society (ICRS). 

In addition to my scientific work, I am a certified Reef Check EcoDiver Trainer for the Indo-Pacific region by Reef Check and a PADI-certified Rescue Diver with Enriched Air certification. 

Through research, education, fieldwork, and collaboration, I strive to contribute practical scientific knowledge that helps coastal communities and decision-makers protect marine biodiversity for future generations.

RESEARCH INTERESTS:

• Scleractinian Phenotypic Plasticity

• Coral Reef Assessment and Taxonomy

• Climate Change Adaptation and Resiliency

• Marine Resources Management 

• Sustainable Resources

You can check my Profile and Curriculum vitae for more information.