The Institute of Applied Sciences (IAS) Assistant Technician in the Drug Discovery Unit, Mr Talemo Waqa was amongst the University of the South Pacific (USP) researchers who were awarded for their research publication in November 2014 at the USP Vice Chancellor’s Research Awards. Mr Waqa had assisted the research of Mr Klaus-D. Feussner, Assistant Project Manager with whom he jointly published a paper on the identification of five new species within the soft coral genus Sarcophyton (Coelenterata: Octocorallia) from the Fiji Islands. The paper will aid both local & international researchers who study soft corals in the field of drug discovery.
Other IAS members who had received research awards were the Director IAS Professor Bill Aalbersberg, Manager Laboratory Services Mr Usaia Dolodolotawake, Senior Technician Mr Alifereti Naikatini & Mr Klaus -D. Feussner.
The IAS Deputy Director, Dr Johann Poinapen, in commending the awardees stated that Mr Waqa’s achievement is evidence of the effective staff development program at the Institute. He also added that IAS as a scientific research arm of the University will continue to contribute to the USP Strategic Plan initiative to increase its high impact publications and advance scientific knowledge.
