Biography
Dr. Tavailau T. Segi is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology at Brigham Young University-Hawai’i, where he teaches biology with a focus on ecology, conservation, and the environmental challenges facing Pacific Island communities.
His research integrates conservation biology, marine and coastal ecology, geospatial analysis, and Indigenous and local knowledge to better understand and address environmental challenges in island ecosystems. His work has included research on coral reef complexity, sediment dynamics, indigenous fishponds, land-cover change, and community-based conservation across the Pacific. He is particularly interested in connecting scientific research with local knowledge and community stewardship to develop conservation approaches that are both scientifically sound and culturally grounded.
Prior to joining BYU-Hawai’i, Dr. Segi conducted interdisciplinary research at Brigham Young University in Provo as part of his Ph.D. dissertation, where he led and collaborated on projects involving environmental assessment, field ecology, geospatial analysis, and data science. He also founded Oceanic Pacific Services LLC, an environmental consulting and research firm that supports conservation, environmental assessment, geospatial analysis, and community-focused initiatives. His technical experience includes geographic information systems, remote sensing, environmental data analysis, and marine fieldwork.
Dr. Segi earned his Ph.D. in Biology with an emphasis in Conservation Biology from Brigham Young University and a B.S. in Biology with an emphasis in Marine Biology from Brigham Young University-Hawai’i. He is a certified FAA Remote Pilot and a PADI Advanced SCUBA Diver. Born and raised in Savai’i and Upolu, Samoa, he is passionate about mentoring students, strengthening Pacific Island science, and helping students connect biological concepts to the environments, communities, and challenges around them.
Education
Ph.D. Brigham Young University - Provo Biology - Conservation Biology, 2024
B.S. Brigham Young University - Hawai’i Biology - Marine Biology, 2017
Publications
Segi, T. T., & Gill, R. A. (2026). Indigenous fishponds are sediment traps for terrigenous sediment on the southern coast of Moloka'i, Hawaii. Journal of Sea Research, 102671.
Cassinat, J. J., Cassinat, K. C., Segi, T., Tavana, N. G., & Gill, R. A. (2022). Traditional village roles and gender shape Samoan perceptions of climate change. Current Research in Environmental Sustainability, 4, 100173.