UPB students and alumni participate in research dissemination of biodiversity and ecological studies through scientific conferences
Fifteen (15) students and alumni from the Department of Biology joined the call to disseminate their respective research outputs through the recently concluded 32nd Philippine Biodiversity Symposium held at the Central Philippine University, Iloilo City, last August 12-15, 2025. Presenting his thesis outputs, MS CaRE alumnus Mr. Joseph Lemuel Asinas shared the findings of his graduate research, “Interfacing Bat Conservation and Indigenous Cultural Community Perspectives in Aran Cave System, Tuba, Benguet.” Another graduate thesis study entitled “Implications of Land Use and Land Cover Changes to Avifaunal and Malacofaunal Assemblage in Canarem Lake, Victoria, Tarlac” was presented by MS CaRE alumna Jairah T. Balisi. A current MS CaRE student, Ms. Emmeline Jirah P. Fetesio, also delivered an oral presentation on the findings of her study, “Bark Beetle Assessment of Pinus kesiya in Barangay Bakakeng Norte-Sur, Baguio City,” which was a result of her case study in CRE 261: Disturbance Ecology. Furthermore, under the oral presentation category, BS Biology alumnus and current MS CaRE student Hendrix Abenoja shared their undergraduate study entitled “Assemblage and occurrence of small, non-volant mammals along a disturbance gradient in a lowland tropical forest of La Union, Northern Luzon.” This paper is co-authored with his thesis groupmates – Hem C. Castillo and Franchesca B. Ortega, and thesis adviser Aris A. Reginaldo. A robust number of poster presentations from BS Biology alumni and MS CaRE students were also shared during the event (details below). The posters were also highlighted on stage through a one-minute PechaKucha oral presentation. Most of these poster presentations were outputs from undergraduate thesis studies under the Ecology and Systematics and General Biology areas of concentration. The posters — covering topics on plant ecology, reef biodiversity, insect ecology, freshwater ecosystems, and disturbance ecology — showcased these young minds’ earnest commitment to contribute to ecological and biodiversity conservation. Through your research dissemination efforts, we are one with you in rallying for the conservation and proper management of our natural resources. More importantly, we hope the examples you have set will inspire more students to take on biodiversity and ecological studies. The Department of Biology takes pride in your hard work! Poster Presenters Title of Presentation Carissa Collado & Eloise Myra Uyao* (MS CaRE Students, CRE 261 Output) Impact of Campsite Development on Vegetation: Assessing Environmental Disturbance in a Transformed Landscape Noel Carl L. De Los Reyes(MS CaRE Student, CRE 261 Output) Sisid Sibuyanon: Working with Local Communities to Assess Reef Biodiversity on Sibuyan Island, Romblon Province Maria Colline Angeli R. Viernes*, Carmela Isabela Beltran, Kryssy Alfonia Simon(Undergraduate study) Insect (Hexapoda) assemblage under LED Streetlights in Loakan Road, Baguio City Queenie Mae L. Marquez*, Meojanlee B. Agulla, Alyka M. Fangon*(Undergraduate study) Taxonomic Diversity and Ecological Assessment of Freycinitia (Sarakat) Species in Eva Garden, Calanasan, Apayao Stephanie Lueia*, Yvonney Freya Angeles and Shorin Grimaldo Analysis of the effects of selected environmental factors on the nesting behavior of the Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) sea turtle at three sites in La Union” Anna Lorraine Bie*, Julius Canlas*, Chinee Dela Cruz* Microplastic Characterization in Selected Bivalves of Agno River, Philippines Maria Victoria B. Taller*, Kirsten Ruth G. Merilles, and Julius Ryan C. Regnim Assessment of Ethnomedicinal Plants Used by Yapayao of Adams, Ilocos Norte and the Analysis of Their Secondary Metabolites and Bioactivity in Mice Joanna Marie Reyes (MS CaRE Student) Biomass and Carbon Stock Assessment on Four (4) Sites at the Subic Bay Freeport Forest *Attending author The presentations support the Sustainable Development Goals: SDG-4 (Quality Education), SDG-11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG-14 (Life Below Water), SDG-15 (Life on Land)
New publication out entitled “A metagenomic analysis of the microbial community structures in the winemaking stages of ‘Baya’: An indigenous heritage rice wine of Batad, Ifugao, Philippines” by the Department of Biology students and faculty
Congratulations to 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐚 𝐀𝐧𝐧 𝐃. 𝐑𝐮𝐞𝐜𝐨, 𝐋𝐲𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐏. 𝐁𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐞, 𝐉𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐊𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐞 𝐌. 𝐆𝐨𝐧𝐳𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬, 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐭. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟. 𝐉𝐞𝐧𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐲 𝐑. 𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐧, and 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟. 𝐑𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐞 𝐉. 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐲 from the Department of Biology, UP Baguio for publishing their innovative study: “𝐀 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐚𝐲𝐚: 𝐀𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐝, 𝐈𝐟𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐨, 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬” 📚 SciEnggJ, Vol. 18 (Supplement), 2025 |🔗https://doi.org/10.54645/202518SupNGL-53 Through metagenomic techniques, this research deciphers the microbial community dynamics during the traditional fermentation of Baya, a culturally significant rice wine from Ifugao. It provides scientific evidence of microbial succession and diversity that influences flavor, safety, and fermentation processes—bridging indigenous knowledge with modern science. The study supports heritage food preservation, microbial ecology, and the sustainable promotion of cultural practices. 🍶 👏 A culturally relevant and scientifically rigorous contribution to microbial and food science! We support the Sustainable Development GoalsSDG-4 (Quality Education); SDG-11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)
The Department of Biology, College of Science holds a public forum entitled “Baguio City’s Biodiversity Greenprint: A Policy Review on Urban Ecologies for Sustainable Conservation and Innovative Governance”
A Public Forum on Biodiversity, Sustainability, and Urban Governance The Department of Biology, College of Science hosted a public forum entitled Baguio City’s Biodiversity Greenprint: A Policy Review on Urban Ecologies for Sustainable Conservation and Innovative Governance, last October 11, 2024. This event is part of an ongoing collaborative research project led by Asst. Prof. Arvin Jet B. Marcaida, Ph.D., and funded by the Center for Integrative and Development Studies (UP-CIDS), University of the Philippines. The project aims to create a sustainable ecological governance blueprint through policy reviews and active community engagement. The forum featured two insightful speakers, Dr. Zenaida G. Baoanan, Ph.D., UP Scientist and professor at UP Baguio, shared her expertise on biodiversity conservation, urban planning, and how sustainable governance can shape the city’s future. She highlighted the importance of protecting Baguio’s natural spaces while adapting to urban growth. Atty. Rhenan G. Diwas, head of the Baguio City Environment and Parks Management Office, followed with a presentation with the city’s long term vision- Baguio 2043: A Livable, Inclusive, and Creative City. He outlined the city’s strategies being put in place to achieve this goal while prioritizing green and inclusive development. This open exchange of ideas was vital in helping shape Baguio’s future ecological policies, ensuring that the city’s growth is both sustainable and inclusive for everyone. Photos by University of the Philippines Baguio Facebook Page We support the Sustainable Development GoalsSDG-4 (Quality Education); SDG-11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities); SDG-13 (Climate Action); SDG-15 (Life on Land)