Speaker Series 3

John Jamir Benzon R. Aruta, PhD is an Associate Professor at the De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines. His research program includes 1) the application of psychology principles in promoting environmental sustainability, 2) the interface between climate change and mental health in the Global South context, 3) planetary health, and 4) the mental health of neglected and marginalized populations. Dr. Aruta is the inaugural director of the Sustainability Psychology and Planetary Health Research Laboratory (SPPHERE Lab) - a group of environmentally concerned students and professionals that work on research, advocacy, community building, and policy collaboration. Dr. Aruta is a founding Associate Editor of the journal Global Environmental Psychology and is a member of the Editorial Board of BMC Psychology and Nature Communications Psychology. Dr. Aruta is also an active clinical practitioner in the Philippines, providing mental health assessment, counseling, and psychotherapy for children, adolescents, and early adults. He was awarded an Outstanding Young Scientist 2023 by the National Academy of Science and Technology, the highest award-giving body in science in the Philippines.