Dr Patrick Pikacha, a Solomon Islands national, is an experienced educator, environmental scientist, and field ecologist with a strong background in teaching, postgraduate supervision, and applied environmental research. He is currently working as an independent consultant in biodiversity and conservation in the Pacific region. Dr Pikacha previously served as a Senior Lecturer in Ecology at the School of Science and Technology, Pacific Adventist University (PAU) in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Prior to joining PAU, he was an Associate Lecturer in the International Programs at the School of Biological Sciences and a researcher with the Aquatic Research Group in the School of Engineering at The University of Queensland, Australia. He also worked with Conservation International in Solomon Islands as a Project Coordinator.
His passion for the environment began at an early age, shaped by bird hunting and fishing with his father. This connection to nature led him to complete a Master’s degree at the University of the South Pacific in 2005, focusing on the mammals and frogs of the Western Solomon Islands. He has since continued to lead research and publications on the biodiversity of the Solomon Islands.
Dr Pikacha is the author and co-author of several acclaimed works, including Shore to Shore – Wildlife and Landscapes of Solomon Islands, Wild West: Rainforests of Western Solomon Islands, Frogs of the Solomon Islands, and Solomon Islands Forest Life.
He is also the founder of Melanesian Geo, a magazine that for over 15 years has showcased Melanesia’s unique biological and cultural diversity. In 2012, he co-founded the Solomon Islands-based environmental NGO Ecological Solutions, with fellow USP graduate David Boseto.
Dr Pikacha holds a PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from The University of Queensland, Australia, and his areas of expertise include environmental awareness, natural resource management, terrestrial biology, science communication, and sustainable development.
