From Pests to Promise: Shipworms in Climate, Culture and Health

This webinar brings together an interdisciplinary team—a science journalist, two biologists, and an anthropologist—to reflect on their recent collaboration in the Philippines exploring the little-known world of shipworms. Long dismissed as marine pests, these wood-eating mollusks sit at the crossroads of climate adaptation, ecology, culture, and health.

Drawing on marine biology, indigenous foodways, anthropology, and science communication, speakers will share insights into shipworm diversity and their multifaceted potential—from culturally rooted, sustainable food sources to promising biomedical applications through their symbiotic bacteria. They will also discuss how storytelling, children’s books, and community-engaged research can translate science into meaningful conservation action.

By centering local knowledge and collaboration, the event highlights the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to climate resilience, planetary health, and inclusive environmental communication.

Crystal Chow is an award-winning bilingual freelance journalist and feature writer from Hong Kong who writes about climate change, global health, and culture across and beyond Asia. She is also a science communicator and journalism educator. She holds an MSc in Global Energy and Climate Policy from SOAS, University of London.

Gizelle Batomalaque is a researcher at the Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman. Her research revolves around Philippine mollusks (i.e. snails, clams), wherein she has published several scientific articles. She aims to communicate science in a non-intimidating manner through children’s books and has since created four storybooks on mollusks.

Machel Malay is a biologist at the Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines Diliman (UP-MSI) with an inordinate fondness for all marine invertebrates. She currently focuses on documenting biodiversity in understudied habitats and on initiating the nascent research museum of UP-MSI for accelerating species discovery, catalyzing collaborations, and promoting bioliteracy.

Maria Mangahas is a professor at the Department of Anthropology at the University of the Philippines, Diliman. She has investigated life and livelihood in small coastal communities, including a traditional fishery for dorado and flying fish in Batanes, Philippines. She just made an acquaintance with shipworms this year.