Dr. Villy Christensen, a professor at the UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries has been named as a Fellow of the American Fisheries Society (AFS).
AFS is the world’s oldest and largest organization devoted to advancing fisheries science, and this is the Society’s highest award for scientific achievement. AFS designates as Fellows certain members who have made outstanding or meritorious contributions to the diversity of fields that are included in the American Fisheries Society. Contributions can include, but are not restricted to, efforts in leadership, research, teaching and mentoring, resource management and/or conservation, and outreach/interaction with the public.
Dr. Villy Christensen is the core developer of the world’s most widely used ecosystem modelling approach, Ecopath with Ecosim. The development and support of this approach is among his most outstanding contributions to fisheries science. It has become the most widely used approach for ecosystem-based management, and is freely used by thousands of scientists from throughout the world. The importance of Ecopath was recognized by NOAA in 2009 as one of ten major scientific breakthroughs in the organization’s 200-year history.
Dr. Christensen’s research activities focus on evaluating the impact of climate change on life in the oceans, and with that, assessments of future marine biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Dr. Christensen also served as one of the co-directors of the UBC Fisheries Centre as it was in the process of transitioning to the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries.
Dr. Christensen will receive this award at the 2021 AFS Annual Meeting on Monday, November 8, 2021.
Tags: awards, biodiversity, Ecopath, Ecopath with Ecosim (EWE), faculty, Global Ocean Modelling, Modelling, Villy Christensen