After getting the nod from the UP Board of Regents on May 27, 2015, Dr. Decibel Faustino-Eslava, a geologist, is appointed as the ninth dean of SESAM.

Dr. Eslava obtained her PhD in Geology from the University of Hong Kong in 2009. She had her Master of Science in Earth Systems from Kumamoto University in Japan (2003), and also another Master of Science degree in Geology from the University of the Philippines Diliman (2000). She graduated from the University of the Philippines Diliman in 1997 with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Geology.

She has research interests in climate change impacts, adaptation and disaster risk reduction and management, bio-geology, environmental geology, geologic hazards, geochemistry, paleomagnetism and tectonics. Currently, she coordinates and co-teaches Ecosystem Structure and Dynamics, Contemporary Issues in Environment and Development, and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): Perspectives from the Natural and Social Sciences. At present, she heads the Project 4 (Capacity Building and Knowledge Building) of the Smarter Approaches to reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry (SARAI).

She accepted officially the position at a turnover ceremony held last 29 May 2015 during the SESAM Planning Workshop at Verdant Springs Resort, Los Baños, Laguna, where Dr. Leonardo M. Florece, the ormer dean, handed over to her the official SESAM seal. She will be serving as the Dean of the School for three years.