Curriculum Vitae


Name: Ahser Edward
Mailing address:
COM-FSM
P. O. Box 159, Kolonia
Pohnpei FM 96941

Educational background

School Date Attended Degree earned Major

Univ. of Guam 1983 -1986 MS degree Marine Biology
Univ. of Hawaii 1979-1980 Certificate Health
E. C. Univ of
Oklahoma 1977-1979 BS degree Biology/Chemistry
Seminole Jr.
College, Okla. 1975-1977 AS degree Biology
PICS High School
Kolonia, Pohnpei 1972-1975 Diploma
Pingelap Elementary
School. Pingelap 1964-1972 Certificate

Work Experience

Associate Professor 2002 - Present

College of Micronesia - FSM/Sea Grant 1995 – 2002



Ichthyology, MR 230; Fisheries Management and Biology, MR 250.


Introduction to Agriculture, AG 101.


College of Micronesia - FSM 1980 - 1995



Remedial math, MS 050; Pre Algebra, MS 098; Elementary Algebra, MS 100;
Algebra and Trigonometry, MS 101.


Human Anatomy and Physiology I, SC 122a; Human Anatomy and Physiology II,
SC 122b; Health Scienct, SC101; Microbiology, SC 180.


Marine Biology, MR 120; Introduction to Oceanography MR 130; Marine Ecology, MR 210; Ichthyology, MR 230; Fisheries Extension, MR 252; Aquaculture, MR 201; Fisheries Management and Biology, MR 250; Marine Biology Field Studies, MR254.


General Biology, SC 120; General Zoology, SC 255; General Botany, SC 250.


Remote Sensing, SC 230.

Kosrae.




Workshops and training attended

Mangrove Protection and Monitoring May 2001 Fiji
TNC Workshop on Grouper Spawning February 2001 Black Coral
SPREP GIS workshop September 1997 COM-FSM
Extension communication skills June-July 1996 Hawaii
QUEST Training June-July 1995 Hawaii
Nan Madol Archeological mapping May 1995 Pohnpei
Marine Customary right workshop July 1994 Suva, Fiji
Remote Sensing for Educators May-June 1993 Sweden
Water Quality testing Training May 1992 Pohnpei
Coral Reef Ecology (NSF) June-August 1992 Hawaii
Fisheries Extension Skills Training
(Followup) August 1990 Suva, Fiji
Fisheries Extension Skills Training May-April 1988 Suva, Fiji
Ciguater poke-stick Training April-June 1988 Pohnpei
Coastal Management Training April-May 1987 Pohnpei
Metal detection in Mud Training June 1985 Manila

Meetings and Symposium Attended:

Coral Reef Status Presentation March 2000 New Caledonia
Pagan 2000 June 2000 Honolulu
STAR meeting (SOPAC) September 1997 Fiji
Sea Grant Retreat Meeting August 1995 Honolulu
Annual US EPA Meeting June 1995 Guam
NGO meeting January 1994 Palau
Asian-Pacific tour October-Nov 1992 SE Asia
Ciguatera Conference August 1992 Tahiti
7th Coral Reef Symposium June 1992 Guam
Asian-Pacific basin Meeting July 1991 New Caledonia
6th Coral Reef Symposium August 1988 Townsville
Regional Technical Fisheries Meeting July 1988 New Caledonia

Research Projects:

Research on distribution of bottom fishes around the Marianas islands. Joined research by the University of Hawaii and University of Guam. January 3-30, 1994. The research concentrated mainly on the distribution of deep bottom fishes. Several tons of fish were caught and the paper was written as guide for commercial fishermen to use in locating fair catch spots for deep bottom snappers and deep bottom shrimps.

Assessment studies of the coast of Tanapag village in Saipan. A technical report was submitted to the University of Guam as the result of the study. This project was carried out in two phases in regards to sites studied. The land adjacent to the Tanapag Lagoon was in the process of development and the Government of Saipan requested that the Universiyt of Guam carry out a baseline study to determine the biota that will be affected in the area. As a graduate student at the University of Guam, I was asked to team up with several other graduate students to execute the task.

Japanese Geological survey in the Pacific Islands (1985). I played a role as a helper in the project. The main purpose was for the Japanese geologists to determine the rise in sea level within the last 100 years and at the same time make a count of what type of organisms existed.

Ciguatera research on Pingelap and Ulithi with Mike Gawel and the Japanese research team (1988). Many reef fish species were collected from Pingelap and Ulithi. These fish samples were taken or sent to universities which are carrying out ciguatera research. Amount of toxin was determined in all the fish species collected, most of which were surgeonfishes and snappers. The results were published and compiled as a Tohoku University report.

Research on the distribution of ciguatera poisoning throughout the Micronesian Islands. A collaborative study with SPC (1990). A study was mainly collecting ciguatera related information from students who attended COM-FSM during that period of time. Many case studies were recorded and the results was presented in the Tahiti ciguatera conference which was held on Papyete in 1992.

Research on the occurrence of ciguatoxin comparison studies in Pingelap and in Guam with Dr. Christopher Lobban (1990). The study was mainly to compare the high islands and the low islands in terms of land runof to investigate the association with occurrence of ciguatera.

Cage Culture of Rabbitfish in Pohnpei - I serve as the principal investigator for the cage culture project (1990). A joint project between Pohnpei State Marine Resources, COM-FSM and the FSM National Government. The project involved floating cages stocked with fry and juvenile rabbitfish. This project served as a demonstration project.

Baseline invenory of Minto and Oroluk lagoons (1991). Since Minto and Oroluk still have undisturbed reefs, the FSM Government requested an inventory of marine and terrestrial biota of both atolls.

Baseline inventory of four islands of Pohnpei: Pingelap, Mwoakilloa, Pakin and Ant atolls (1994-1995). A study funded by Sea Grant PIN and includes inventory of terrestrial and marine fauna.

Other Work Experience


Engaged in the Youth to Youth Education program
Coordinated the Mooring Buoy Project
Coordinated the Coral reef Monitoring Project in FSM
Involve in the awareness program for the Coastal Resource Management project

Papers written:

Edward, A., 1986. Assimilation efficiency of Acanthurus lineatus, (Pices). Master Thesis, University of Guam.

Hill, Richard, Dacey, J. W. and Edward, A., 2000, Dimethylsulfoniopropionate in Giant Clams (Tridacnidae). Biological Bulletin, New York.

McDermid, K., and Edward, A., 1999. Seagrass Community Composition and Biomass at Nahpali Island, Pohnpei. Micronesica 31(2):255-262.

Noro, T., Etoh, S., and Edward, A. 1995. Marine Algae Flora of Pohnpei Island of the FSM. Kagoshima University Res. Center S. Pac. Occasional Papers. No. 26. 31-34.







Frame1