Category: News

The three-day 378th on-site AUN-QA Program Assessment of the BS Biology Program of the College of Science concludes

To cap off the three-day 378th on-site ASEAN University Network – Quality Assurance (AUN-QA) Program Assessment of the BS Biology Program of the College of Science, AUN-QA assessors Dr. Nguyen Quoc Chin and Dr. Tan Chin Hon presented their preliminary assessment findings earlier today at the Chancellor’s Board Room. Afterwards, Dr. Nguyen Quoc Chin and the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Rosemary Gutierrez delivered their closing remarks. Tokens of appreciation were also given to the AUN-QA assessors. The Department of Biology would like to sincerely thank everyone who has worked tirelessly during our preparations for this event, as well as all our dear students, academic staff, support staff, alumni, and employers who participated as interviewees during this assessment. We appreciate your continued support for our esteemed University and again, thank you all very much! We support the Sustainable Development GoalsSDG-4 (Quality Education); SDG-17 (Partnership for Goals)

AUN-QA Assessors visit UP Baguio

ASEAN University Network – Quality Assurance (AUN-QA) assessors Dr. Nguyen Quoc Chin of Vietnam National University and Dr. Tan Chin Hon of the National University of Singapore conducted site visits around the University of the Philippines Baguio, 1:15 PM, 12 March 2024. This is part of the 378th on-site AUN-QA Programme Assessment of the BS Biology Program of the College of Science. We support the Sustainable Development GoalsSDG-4 (Quality Education); SDG-17 (Partnership for Goals)

The Department of Biology commences the opening of the 378th On-site AUN-QA Programme Assessment of the BS Biology Program of the College of Science

First day of the 378th On-site AUN-QA Programme Assessment of the BS Biology Program of the College of Science, University of the Philippines Baguio. UP Baguio Chancellor Prof. Corazon L. Abansi and AUN-QA Chief Assessor Dr. Nguyen Quoc Chinh delivered welcoming and opening remarks, respectively, during the opening program at the Chancellor’s Boardroom, 8:30 AM. The ASEAN University Network-Quality Assurance (AUN-QA) Network was established to align educational standards and foster continual improvement of academic quality across universities in the ASEAN region.The three-day assessment will include site visits and meetings with university stakeholders.

UP Baguio Biology Department Alumna presents her Balik Scientist Program entitled “My (Scientific) Way Back Home Setting a Niche of Biomedical Research in the North”

Dr. Ailyn F. Fadriquela, an alumna of the University of the Philippines Baguio Biology Department, presented her Balik Scientist Program report entitled “My (Scientific) Way Back Home Setting a Niche of Biomedical Research in the North” at the UPB Chancellor’s Boardroom, February 29, 9:00 AM – 12:00 NN. The Balik Scientist Program is supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). The goal of the program is to encourage Filipino scientists, technologists and experts “to return to the country and share their expertise in order to promote scientific, agro-industrial and economic development, including the development of human capital in science, technology and innovation.” A live stream of the event can be accessed here: https://fb.watch/qvJyEomwyk/?mibextid=JRoKGi Congratulations to Dr. Fadriquela and team for a successful event!

Students Attend Conference in Korea

EXCITING NEWS Last January 22-23, UP Baguio BS Biology students Salatiel Tacorda, Fraji Pascua, and Jamin Santos attended the 30th Korean 𝘊. 𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘴 Meeting held in Gangneung, Korea. They presented a poster on their undergraduate thesis entitled “Employing Machine Learning in Quantifying the Behavioral Effects of 𝘈𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘢 𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘶 (Betelnut) extract on 𝘊𝘢𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘩𝘢𝘣𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘴 General Movement”. The Department recognizes this accomplishment and may this serve as an inspiration to all of our young scientists! (L-R) Dr. Ailyn F. Fadriquela, Dr. Ma. Easter Joy V. Sajo, Ms. Fraji Pascua, Mr. Jamin Santos, Mr. Salatiel Tacorda, Mr. Alfred Alcantara, Asst. Prof. Pablo V. Serrano

New publication co-authored by DB Faculty entitled “Two new species of Bulbophyllum (Orchidaceae, sect. Polymeres) from Pantabangan-Carranglan Watershed Forest Reserve, Luzon Island, Philippines”

New publication alert! Co-authored by our very own Dr. Liezel Molina-Magtoto. 𝑩𝒖𝒍𝒃𝒐𝒑𝒉𝒚𝒍𝒍𝒖𝒎 𝒃𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒆 Garrino & R. Bustam. & 𝑩𝒖𝒍𝒃𝒐𝒑𝒉𝒚𝒍𝒍𝒖𝒎 𝒑𝒆𝒍𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒊 Mansibang & R. Bustam. Two new species of orchids from Pantabangan-Carranglan Watershed Forest Reserve in Nueva Ecija, Philippines. Named in honor and appreciation of Dr. Pieter B. Pelser and Dr. Julie Barcelona, for their invaluable contribution towards promoting citizen science and Philippine botany! 𝘉. 𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘦 resembles 𝘉𝘶𝘭𝘣𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘺𝘭𝘭𝘶𝘮 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘦 but differs by having smaller vegetative parts, ovate petals with a rounded apex, and a labellum with two ridges that are strongly angled outwards the adaxial surface, rounded proximal crests, and a canaliculate abaxial surface. 𝘉. 𝘱𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪 resembles𝘉𝘶𝘭𝘣𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘺𝘭𝘭𝘶𝘮 𝘢𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘰𝘣𝘳𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘶𝘮 but differs by having caducous sheath covering the pseudobulbs, punctulate leaf surface, shorter leaves, absence of transverse callus in median portion of labellum, median portion with short, rounded ridge, rounded apex, and triangular stelidia. The publication of these remarkable new species was a result of the continuous study of the 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐱𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞, Inc., in the PCWFR. This adds to the growing inventory of biodiversity in the region, which in turn helps to support forest management efforts, including the ongoing bid to establish the PCWFR as a Protected Area. Published last January 23 in the Nordic Journal of Botany doi: https://buff.ly/3vI7JLH Abigail L. Garrino, Jayson A. Mansibang, Yu Pin Ang, Leonardo Udasco, Jean Marie Diego, John Charles Altomonte, Liezel Molina-Magtoto, Jamie Ann M. Aumentado, Maverick N. Tamayo and Rene Alfred Anton Bustamante L-R 𝘉. 𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘦, 𝘉. 𝘱𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪 , Dr. Pieter B. Pelser and Dr. Julie Barcelona Congratulations to the team!

Apply for AoC now

Attention BS Biology students: Application for Area of Concentration (AoC) is now open for the 2nd semester of AY 2023-2024! Please see poster for details. Google Form: https://forms.gle/ZxJW7rBW39J6k96u9

Balik Scientist 2023

 Exciting News!  We’re thrilled to announce the homecoming of a remarkable alumna, Dr. Ailyn F. Fadriquela, to the College of Science and the Department of Biology!  Dr. Fadriquela, a proud UP Baguio BS Biology graduate, has embarked on a short-term engagement as a Balik Scientist under the esteemed Balik Scientist Program (BSP) by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). With a noteworthy academic journey, Dr. Fadriquela earned her combined Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Medical Science from Yonsei University, Wonju College of Medicine. Her research journey has been dedicated to discovering the potential of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in functional waters – including hydrogen, acidic, and alkaline water – along with various natural products. Throughout her studies, she showcased unwavering academic brilliance across diverse subjects such as cell signaling, molecular metabolism, advanced medical communication, and more. Following her Ph.D., she excelled as a postdoctoral research fellow across two departments at Yonsei University. Within the Department of Laboratory Medicine, she explored the potential of immune biomarkers linked to alcoholic liver disease and its connection to liver fibrosis. Simultaneously, at the Mitohormesis Research Center, her investigations explored the transformative impact of exercise-induced myokine in mitigating liver fibrosis. Dr. Fadriquela’s extensive exposure and expertise span the spectrum of clinical research studies and fundamental medical sciences. Her adeptness in conducting in vitro and in vivo experiments has enriched her skill in diverse study methodologies in the field. Furthermore, her impressive publication record underscores her mastery of scientific writing, making her an invaluable asset for faculty, researchers, and students in the department and the college. Join us in extending heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Fadriquela on her Balik Scientist journey! We eagerly anticipate the collaboration and knowledge exchange that lie ahead.