Marine Reference Collection & Resource Centre

Incharge: Dr. Farhana Shafiq Ghory

The Marine Reference Collection and Resource Centre is the oldest marine biodiversity research centre in Pakistan. It was founded in 1967 as an Invertebrate Reference Museum by renowned marine scientist of the country Prof. Dr. Nasima M. Tirmizi (late), who was also founder director of the first Institute of Marine Science in Pakistan. MRC&RC has been providing excellent facilities to the marine science community of the country and regional countries. It supports marine biodiversity research through comprehensive taxonomic data on marine fauna and flora and is in fact one of the unique research and training facilities in the region with a mission emphasizing taxonomic research, conservation and education.
The centre, which has only been a feature of invertebrate taxonomic studies, has demonstrated an ability and agility in responding to the management and conservation of marine biodiversity in a national, regional and international context. MRC&RC has a preeminent museum dedicated to inspiring curiosity and learning about the invertebrate fauna through its unparallel collections, exhibits and research.
So far 41 research projects have been accomplished through national and international fundings/grants. And approximately 800 research publications are to the credit of centre including illustrated keys, monographs, books and proceeding etc.
The centre is linked with numerous international research organizations including: Expert-Centre for taxonomic Identification (ETI) Amsterdam, Zoological Museum Amsterdam, Raffles Museum Singapore, Smithsonian and British Museum.

Career Opportunities

Fair opportunities are available for marine taxonomists in various teaching and research organization (Government and Non-Government).