Edgardo Gomez

Edgardo Dizon Gomez, (November 7, 1938 – December 1, 2019) was a Filipino biologist who was conferred the rank of National Scientist of the Philippines in 2014. He was a professor emeritus for marine biology at the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute.

Education and career Gomez obtained his bachelor's degree in education, major in English and Social Science (summa cum laude) from De La Salle University, his master's degree in Biology as a Fulbright Travel Grantee from St. Mary's University of Minnesota and Ph.D. degree in Marine Biology from University of California, San Diego. He was the founding director of the Marine Science Institute at the University of the Philippines Diliman upon his return in 1973 after his doctorate studies.

Contributions Gomez saw the need to protect the Philippine archipelago's vast marine resources in particular that of coral reefs. He led the world's first national-scale assessment of damage to coral reefs leading to international conservation initiatives such as the replanting of corals. He also pioneered giant clam (Tridacna gigas) breeding stationed in Bolinao and other protective areas for coastal communities of the Philippines. Academician by the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) in 1993 Presidential Lingkod Bayan Awardee in 2000 Pew Marine Conservation Fellow in 2001 National Scientist of the Philippines for Marine Biology in 2014 Asian Scientist 100, Asian Scientist, 2021 On April 22, 2024, the Marine Science Institute, in its 50th founding anniversary, was re-named Edgardo D. Gomez Hall. The Marine Biodiversity Resources and Information System (MBRIS) building was inaugurated containing “MSI reference collections of marine organisms, libraries of natural products extracted from these organisms and other marine biodiversity collections,” MSI professor Maria Celia Malay announced.

Personal life Gomez was married to career ambassador Phoebe Abaya. They have a son, Jose Edgardo Jr.