CASEY PUA

I am a PhD student in the Biological and Environmental Sciences program. My research examines the impacts of foreign activity in the West Philippine Sea. Specifically, it looks at how illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing by foreign vessels affect fish stock biomass, fisheries production, and the resulting livelihood impacts on Filipino fishers. Findings and outputs from this project will provide valuable scientific evidence to inform enforcement, policy, legal, and diplomatic engagement.

Prior to beginning my PhD studies at the University of Rhode Island, I attended California State Polytechnic University, Pomona where I earned my Bachelor's in Environmental Biology with an emphasis in biodiversity and conservation and my Master’s in Biological Sciences. As an undergraduate, I conducted research examining the effects of the Palos Verdes marine protected area on fish age structure. My master’s thesis observed relationships between the construction materials and habitat characteristics of Southern California artificial reefs and the densities of a planktivore (Chromis punctipinnis) and predator (Paralabrax clathratus).