Mabuhay! My name is Jem Baldisimo & I have a broad interest in bridging scientific research and policy making for coastal and coral reef environments. I have over a decade of experience in environmental consulting and marine conservation, including numerous leadership roles in research projects covering various localities around the Philippines. I began a career in environmental consulting after graduating from Ateneo de Manila University in 2007. An Australian Leadership Award in 2009 allowed me to pursue a Master of Environment degree from the University of Melbourne. After returning to the Philippines, I transitioned to working the in the field of marine conservation and academic research.

Currently, I am a PhD candidate in the Ecological Sciences program at Old Dominion University. My dissertation focuses on determining the extinction risk of marine ornamental fishes using genetic and data-limited approaches. I am a Fulbright Scholar from the Philippines and Virginia Sea Grant Graduate Student fellow. At ODU, I am involved in the IUCN Global Marine Biodiversity Unit and NSF-funded Philippines PIRE Project.

I have received prestigious awards, grants and fellowships from various institutions worldwide, including AusAID, Fulbright, Virginia Sea Grant, National Science Foundation, Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering & Medicine, and the American Association of University Women. I have also received community service awards in the Philippines and the US. My advocacies include promoting conservation and sustainability; health and wellness, and music and the arts.

EDUCATION

• Old Dominion University, Doctor of Philosophy – PhD, Ecological Sciences (2024 Expected)
• University of Melbourne, Master of Environment (2010)
• Ateneo de Manila University, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science (2007)
• St Scholastica’s College Manila, Primary & Secondary Education (1999, 2003)

HONORS & AWARDS

• Current GPA at ODU: 4.0
• 2025 John M. Knauss Marine Policy Fellow
• 2024 Commonwealth of Virginia Engineering & Science Fellow
• 2023-2024 Dominion Scholar, Biological Sciences Department at ODU
• 2022 Ellen Neufeldt Graduate Student Leader of the Year
• 2021 Virginia Sea Grant Graduate Student Fellow
• 2021 ODU Graduate School Summer Grant Awardee
• 2020 American Association of University Women Scholarship Awardee at ODU
• 2020 Monarch Citizen of the Year
• 1st Place – Student Research Poster Contest, 2020 Virginia Sea Grant Graduate Student Symposium
• US Department of State & Philippine-American Educational Foundation, Fulbright Graduate Student Program Grantee 2018
• AusAid Australian Leadership Awards 2008
• Ateneo de Manila University Dean’s Lister
• Bayer Young Environmental Envoy (Finalist, Luzon Region)
• Zonta Club International – Young Women in Public Affairs
• Scholastican Award for Leadership
• Benedictine Award for Service and Excellence
• Bronze Medal (3rd Honours)
• Gerry Roxas Leadership Award
• Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Presidential Leadership Award
• St Hildegard Award for Excellence in Science
• St Hildegard Award for Excellence in Theater Arts

LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS

• PADI Rescue Diver
• PADI Reef Check EcoDiver
• AAUS Certified – Scientific Diver