Dr. Ricardo F. Tapilatu will conduct research on “Designing Best Approaches in Developing Ocean Health Index Independent Assessment (OHI+) in Indonesia” at Center of Oceans – Conservation International, Arlington Virginia and Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science – Florida State University (FSU), Tallahassee, Florida for six months. He believes OHI+ is an assessment tool that scientifically measures key elements from all dimensions of the ocean’s health — biological, physical, economic and social — to guide decision-makers toward the sustainable use of the ocean.

Ricardo earned his bachelor’s degree at Diponegoro University, master’s degrees at Bogor Agricultural University and James Cook University (JCU) – Australia and PhD at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) – USA.

Dr. Tapilatu is the Head of Research Center for Pacific Marine Resources and Chief Editor of Ocean Life at the University of Papua in Manokwari.