KINGSTON, R.I. – May 6, 2026 – When he crosses the stage during the University of Rhode Island’s College of the Environment and Life Sciences commencement ceremony on May 17, earning his Ph.D. in biological and environmental sciences, Jaypee Samson will cap an academic career that brought him halfway around the world to focus on a subject of study that is small in size, but with great impact for the world’s oceans and residents.

Samson studied fisheries and aquaculture for his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in his home country of the Philippines.

During his master’s program at Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Samson studied the use of probiotics in freshwater fish to improve their growth and survival against bacterial pathogens. It was as a student at CLSU that Samson first met Michael Rice, chair of URI’s Department of Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Sciences (FAVS), in conjunction with URI’s work in Southeast Asia. URI had partnered with CLSU, and other Southeast Asian institutions, to join expertise in freshwater fisheries there with URI’s expertise in marine fisheries. What proved to be a good academic matchup also led to a good match for Samson, who had long been interested in aquatic animal health and developing solutions to mitigate the impacts of disease.

Over time, Samson became interested in marine organisms such as oysters and clams. When he received a Fulbright scholarship for his Ph.D., his interest in aquatic animal health led him to URI and to working with Marta Gomez-Chiarri.

Transitioning to living and working in the U.S. was an adjustment at first, both academically and culturally, he says, but says he was able to adapt over time with the support of his advisor, Gomez-Chiarri, his labmates, and friends: “The experience has been very rewarding and has allowed me to grow both professionally and personally,” he reflected.

Four years later, Samson has now produced a Ph.D. dissertation that provides insights on how to improve oyster health through use of newly developed cocktails of bacterial probiotics; he’s also investigated the mechanisms of a leukemia-like disease in shellfish that affects both farmed and wild populations.

Samson also received support for his studies from URI’s Student Fund for Aquaculture and Fisheries.

“He is extremely talented,” said Gomez-Chiarri.

Pursuing his Ph.D. at URI gave Samson the opportunity to expand his expertise beyond freshwater systems and finfish into marine invertebrates. He also liked the overall approach at URI: “I have really liked the interdisciplinary approach we have in our Biological and Environmental Sciences program,” he said, “where you can learn very interesting stuff from different fields of study and not just be confined to the research you’re doing. Although my research is mostly focused in microbiology and bivalves (oyster and clams), I have learned such cool and interesting stuff from people studying different organisms, from plants to birds. That exposure has made my experience more engaging and broadened my perspective on biological and environmental research.”

Samson says URI’s program also gave him valuable experience using state-of-the-art equipment and advanced lab techniques and helped him develop skills in scientific writing, poster preparation, and troubleshooting in the lab.

“Working closely with my faculty mentors has also been especially impactful,” he said. “They’ve helped shape my technical skills and how I approach scientific questions and problem-solving.”

Samson also took on a role at URI as the graduate student representative for the cell and molecular biology specialization in the Biological and Environmental Sciences graduate program, which gave him the opportunity to see how faculty and student representatives work together to improve the program and address student needs, which he terms a valuable experience in understanding how student input can shape the academic environment.

In his down time, Samson likes to relax by playing pool. When not in his lab in the DeChristofaro Center for Biotechnology and Life Science, he could often be found playing on the pool tables at the Memorial Union or participating in the Billiards Club’s weekly tournaments. “It’s been a great way to relax, meet people, and stay connected to the campus community,” he said.

After receiving his degree, Samson will return to the Philippines to continue his academic career as an assistant professor in the College of Fisheries at Central Luzon State University, his alma mater. He hopes to strengthen the university’s marine research program by building collaborations with other marine research institutions and expanding the school’s research focus beyond freshwater systems. He’ll also look forward to reconnecting with the URI community when students and faculty from URI’s FAVS department visit CLSU next year.

“Defending my Ph.D. at URI was both challenging and rewarding,” he said. “It felt like the culmination of years of work, and while it was definitely a bit nerve-wracking, it was also a great opportunity to reflect on the research I had accomplished and discuss it with my committee.”