Workshop on Introduction to Invasive Species Risk Assessment
๐ฟ WORKSHOP ON INTRODUCTION TO INVASIVE SPECIES RISK ASSESSMENT The Master of Science in Conservation and Restoration Ecology (MS CaRE) Program, in collaboration with the Integrated Urban Landscape Resilience Program under the UP System Collective Mentorship Program (CMP), invites you to join the Workshop on Introduction to Invasive Species Risk Assessment, featuring Prof. Dymphna N. Javier, PhD, Professorial Lecturer II, as the resource speaker and facilitator. This workshop aims to introduce participants to the fundamental concepts, principles, and methods of invasive species risk assessment, providing a scientific basis for understanding potential threats to biodiversity, ecosystems, agriculture, and human well-being, and informing appropriate prevention, management, and control strategies. ๐ Date: October 28, 2026 (Wednesday)โฐ Time: 8:00 AMโ1:00 PM๐ Venue: IB 204 (In person) *Limited to active MS CaRE Students Letโs strengthen our understanding of invasive species and explore science-based approaches to protecting biodiversity and ecosystem health! ๐ฑ
Department of Biology Faculty Members and MS CaRE Alumni Win Best Scientific Poster Award
The Department of Biology congratulates our faculty members Prof. Zenaida Baoanan and Assoc. Prof. Liezel Magtoto, and MS Conservation and Restoration Ecology (MS CaRE) alumni Shirley Jaene Valdez and John Paul Payopay, for receiving the Best Scientific Poster Award under the Biological Sciences Division during the 48th Annual Scientific Meeting of the National Academy of Science and Technology. They received this award for their research entitled “From Natives to Exotics: Implications of Changing Plant Composition in Camp John Hay Forest Reserve”. We extend our warmest congratulations to the authors for their contribution to conservation and restoration ecology. #SDGs #SDG11 #SDG13 #SDG15 #SDG17
New publication alert entitled “Status, Emerging Challenges, And Perspectives in Hills and Mountains. The Case of Northern Luzon, Philippines”
The Department of Biology proudly shares a new publication from one of our dedicated faculty members, Dr. Zenaida Baoanan! ๐ This book chapter discusses the fascinating biodiversity and indigenous cultural heritage of Northern Luzon. The abstract can be accessed here: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.1201/9781003688907-6/status-emerging-challenges-perspectives-hills-mountains-zenaida-gutay-baoanan We support the Sustainable Development GoalsSDG-4 (Quality Education); SDG-11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities); SDG-15 (Life on Land)
HIGHLIGHTS: 31st Summer Institute in the Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Itโs a wrap! The Department of Biology extends its sincere gratitude to all participants, organizers, and personnel whose efforts contributed to the success of the 31st Summer Institute in the Natural Sciences and Mathematics (SINSM), held on April 16โ18, 2026, at the University of the Philippines Baguio. We especially celebrate the 33 participants who joined us in exploring new concepts and techniques in microbial and fungal DNA isolation, PCR amplification, gel electrophoresis, and basic bioinformatics. Your enthusiasm and engagement made this yearโs SINSM both insightful and productive. The photos below capture some of the highlights of this enriching experience. We look forward to welcoming you again in next yearโs SINSM! We support the Sustainable Development GoalsSDG-3 (Good Health and Well-being); SDG-4 (Quality Education); SDG-5 (Gender Equality); SDG-6 (Clean Water and Sanitation); SDG-9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure); SDG-11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities); SDG-13 (Climate Action); SDG-14 (Life on Water); SDG-15 (Life on Land); SDG-17 (Partnership for Goals)
The Department of Biology, with the College of Science, kicks off the 31st SINSM
The Department of Biology, along with other departments in the College of Science, kicks off the 31st Summer Institute in the Natural Sciences and Mathematics (SINSM). This year, the Department of Biology warmly welcomes our 33 participants from various educational institutions. We support the Sustainable Development GoalsSDG-3 (Good Health and Well-being); SDG-4 (Quality Education); SDG-5 (Gender Equality); SDG-6 (Clean Water and Sanitation); SDG-9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure); SDG-11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities); SDG-13 (Climate Action); SDG-14 (Life on Water); SDG-15 (Life on Land); SDG-17 (Partnership for Goals)
New paper out entitled โYouth networks as bridging actors in environmental governance: Roles, achievements and barriersโ
The Department of Biology is proud to share a recent publication by our BS Bio alumnus and former faculty member, Deign Frolley Soriano. The paper is entitled “Youth networks as bridging actors in environmental governance: Roles, achievements and barriers” Congratulations! The full paper may be accessed through the following links:Full Article: https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.70302Plain Language Summary: https://relationalthinkingblog.com/2026/03/20/plain-language-summary-youth-networks-are-key-but-overlooked-actors-in-environmental-governance/ We support the Sustainable Development GoalsSDG-10 (Reduced Inequalities); SDG-11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities); SDG-13 (Climate Action); SDG-17 (Partnership for Goals)
The Department of Biology adopts a four-day work week arrangement starting March 16, 2026.
To our stakeholders and visitors, please be informed of the adjusted office hours for the Department of Biology.We respectfully request that you take note of these changes and schedule your visits and transactions accordingly. Thank you. We support the Sustainable Development GoalsSDG-11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities); SDG-12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT: โTaxonomic Diversity and Ecological Assessment of Freycinetia (Sarakat) Species in Eva Garden, Calanasan, Apayaoโ in celebration of the National Environmental Awareness Month
๐ฟ๐ ๐ฏ๐๐๐๐ ๐ต๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฌ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐จ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ด๐๐๐๐! ๐๐ฟ In celebration of this month, the Department is delighted to share some of our amazing student works! โจ๐ซ Take a moment to read, learn, and be inspired by our studentsโ creativity and passion for the environment. Hereโs our second featured entry! ๐๐ Conservation efforts in forest ecosystems must consider both ecological and taxonomic perspectives to understand the diversity patterns of understudied plant groups such as ๐๐ณ๐ฆ๐บ๐ค๐ช๐ฏ๐ฆ๐ต๐ช๐ข. As a part of this, a field-based study was carried out to find out the taxonomic diversity and ecological assessment of ๐๐ณ๐ฆ๐บ๐ค๐ช๐ฏ๐ฆ๐ต๐ช๐ข species in Eva Garden, Calanasan, Apayao, Philippines. The purpose of the study was to record the speciesโ richness and abundance and their correlation with environmental factors such as altitude, soil pH, moisture, and light intensity. The research was conducted in two sites: Site A, which was an upland ridge about 1,039 meters above sea level, and Site B, which was a lowland region close to a river at around 727 meters above sea level. A total of eight (๐ Freycinetia species were found, among which five (5) were new records for Apayao. It was also found out that altitude favors the diversity of the species. The results highlight the ecological position of the forests in Apayao for ๐๐ณ๐ฆ๐บ๐ค๐ช๐ฏ๐ฆ๐ต๐ช๐ข species and indicate the areaโs potential for biodiversity assessments and conservation planning in Northern Luzon. The student authors: Queenie Mae L. Marquez (F), Alyka M. Fangon (F), and Meojanlee B. Agulla (M) are BS Biology alumni under the concentration ๐๐ฐ๐ผ๐น๐ผ๐ด๐ & ๐ฆ๐๐๐๐ฒ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ and conducted this undergraduate thesis study under the supervision of Dr. Liezel M. Magtoto (F).โ๏ธ Queenie Mae L. Marquez (F), Alyka M. Fangon (F), and Meojanlee B. Agulla (M) MT Bagangao (F)๐ผJQueenie Mae L. Marquez (F), Alyka M. Fangon (F), and Meojanlee B. Agulla (M), JA Alviar (F) We support the Sustainable Development GoalsSDG-11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities); SDG-15 (Life on Land)
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT: “Interfacing Bat Conservation and Indigenous Cultural Community Perspective in Aran Cave System, Tuba, Benguet” in celebration of the National Environmental Awareness Month
๐ฟ๐ ๐ฏ๐๐๐๐ ๐ต๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฌ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐จ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ด๐๐๐๐! ๐๐ฟ In celebration of this month โ and in honor of the recently concluded ๐ฝ๐๐ฉ ๐ผ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ง๐๐๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ ๐๐ค๐ฃ๐ฉ๐ and ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ถ๐ด๐ฒ๐ป๐ผ๐๐ ๐ฃ๐ฒ๐ผ๐ฝ๐น๐ฒ๐ ๐ ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ต last October โ the Department is thrilled to share some of our amazing student works! ๐ฆโจ ๐ซ Take a moment to read, reflect, and be inspired by our studentsโ creativity and passion for the environment. Hereโs our first featured entry! ๐๐ Bat conservation initiatives must consider both the ecological and social aspects to address the specific needs of local bat populations and human communities. To contribute to this, graduate student Joseph Lemuel Asinas documented bat species diversity and indigenous community perspectives in Tuba, Benguet, Cordillera Administrative Region. This was primarily aimed at providing scientific information and developing recommendations for localized bat conservation. Their study recorded eight, 8, bat species, including a first record of ๐๐ข๐ค๐ณ๐ฐ๐จ๐ญ๐ฐ๐ด๐ด๐ถ๐ด ๐ฎ๐ช๐ฏ๐ช๐ฎ๐ถ๐ด, ๐๐ฉ๐ช๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ญ๐ฐ๐ฑ๐ฉ๐ถ๐ด ๐ฎ๐ข๐ค๐ณ๐ฐ๐ต๐ช๐ด, and a roost of ๐๐ฐ๐ถ๐ด๐ฆ๐ต๐ต๐ถ๐ด ๐ข๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ญ๐ฆ๐น๐ช๐ค๐ข๐ถ๐ฅ๐ข๐ต๐ถ๐ด for the province of Benguet, at an elevation of about 435โ690 masl. The cave bat colony, estimated to exceed a thousand individuals, is the largest documented in the province. This bat population, though large, is determined to cause a low extent of human-bat conflict within the community, with developed wildlife tolerance and low disease risk perception. Furthermore, locals demonstrated practical knowledge and positive attitudes toward bats that are not rooted in superstition. The thriving bat population in Tuba underscores how the integration of practical knowledge and positive attitudes of the indigenous community toward wildlife can foster harmonious and sustainable coexistence between people and nature. Mr Joseph Lemuel Asinas recently graduated from the MS Conservation and Restoration Ecology (MS CaRE) program of the Dept. โ๏ธ JLA Asinas, YS Picpican, MT Bagangao๐ผJLA Asinas, YS Picpican, JA Alviar We support the Sustainable Development GoalsSDG-11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities); SDG-15 (Life on Land)
UPB Faculty receive the 3rd Best Paper Award during the 2025 Agency In-House Review held at Benguet State University (BSU) last August 27-28, 2025
UPB faculty Professor Zenaida G Baoanan, former faculty Asst. Prof. Deign Frolley C. Soriano and current MS CaRE Lecturer Prof. Roscinto Lumbres, along with other co-authors, Prof. Nova D. Doyog and Prof. Lynn J. Talkasen received the 3rd Best Paper Award for the paper entitled โLand Use and Land Cover Assessment Within the Batanes Protected Landscapes and Seascapesโ during the 2025 Agency In- House Review held at the Research & Extension Building, BSU, La Trinidad, last August 27-28, 2025. The results of the paper provides a more reliable LULC for monitoring and planning for the six islands covered by the Batanes Protected Landscapes and Seascapes (BPLS). Furthermore, the technique used in the LULC assessment is shared as a reference for future studies. The research article is published and is accessible at the Philippine Journal of Science. It is an output of the research project entitled โPopularizing Access to Biodiversity Information Data and Conservation Opportunities (PABIDACO)โ spearheaded by Professor Zenaida G. Baoanan through the funding of the Commission on Higher Education-Discovery-Applied Research and Extension Trans/Inter-disciplinary Opportunities (CHED-DARE TO). This publication supports the Sustainable Development Goals: SDG-11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG-13 (Climate Action), SDG-14 (Life Below Water), SDG-15 (Life on Land)