Felimon Gayanilo Candidate Statement 2023
I am Felimon Gayanilo, Information Systems Architect and Enterprise IT Specialist with the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMUCC) since 2012. As the Data Management and Cyberinfrastructure (DMAC) Coordinator of the largest Regional Association of NOAA's Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), the Gulf of Mexico Coastal and Ocean Observing System (GCOOS), and System Architect for several regional information systems, I have first-hand experience on the importance of partnership to accelerate research and development. Prior to joining TAMUCC, I was with the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science and the Center for Computational Science (now, Institute for Data Science and Computing), University of Miami, FL, working on medical-related information systems, coral reef ecology, and oceanography (2003-2012). Before that, I worked with the University of British Colombia, Canada (1999-2002) on multi-species, multi-fleet yield-stock prediction models for fisheries management.
I am an evangelist and an advocate for open science, open data, and the Data FAIR principles. We have started to experience a paradigm shift in data sharing, but much still needs to be done to sustain this momentum. ESIP is one of many possible venues to promote the data FAIR principles, the natural base for earth science data, and partnership is essential to sustain the change. 'Partnership' with various research groups is fundamental to improving research and evidence-based decision-making processes.
I am going for a second term as your Partnership Committee Chair because I still have unfinished tasks to, hopefully, find solutions to catalyze members' engagement and promote more collaboration. Prior to leading the Partnership Committee, I was a member of the ESIP Partnership Committee for two years. I am also an active member of some clusters (e.g., EnvironSensing, Data Readiness), where I share my experience and gain new knowledge from colleagues.
