Morrison Garth is an aspiring ecologist and Master of Philosophy candidate at Pacific Adventist University, supported by the EU-FCCB Scholarship. He holds a Bachelor’s degree with a double major in Environmental Science and Chemistry, and brings nearly a decade of professional experience from Pacific Adventist University, where he worked as a Laboratory Technician managing biology, chemistry, and physics facilities before transitioning into lecturing Occupational Health and Safety to second-year science students for seven years. He also gained industry experience as an Environmental Intern and Occupational Health and Safety Advisor with ExxonMobil during the PNG LNG project.

His research, “Environmental Drivers of Butterfly Diversity Along an Altitudinal Gradient on Mount Wilhelm, Papua New Guinea,” was inspired by his participation in a field ecology course at the Wanang Conservation Area facilitated by the New Guinea Binatang Research Centre. Witnessing the stark contrast between clear-cut logging impacts and a well-preserved primary forest profoundly shaped his commitment to conservation science.

Morrison uses butterflies as bioindicators of forest health along an elevational gradient on Mt. Wilhelm. A unique opportunity to observe the forest canopy from a 50-metre crane further deepened his passion for ecological research. His work bridges his chemistry background with applied ecology, contributing to the understanding of how environmental change affects biodiversity in Papua New Guinea’s montane forests.