Dr. Arun Exit Report Presentation
๐งฌ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐: ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐ง๐จ๐ฆ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฌ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ก ๐๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ฒ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ฆ ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ซ๐๐ฌโฃโฃ๐ ๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐ฌ๐๐ข๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐๐ข๐ ๐๐ฑ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐ฌ๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฅ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ก ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ง๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ๐ฌ, ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ง๐ , ๐๐ง๐ ๐ซ๐๐ ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐ข๐ฆ๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ.โฃโฃThe University of the Philippines Baguio, in partnership with the DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), invites you to the ๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ค ๐๐๐ข๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ฑ๐ข๐ญ ๐๐๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐จ๐ ๐๐ซ. ๐๐ซ๐ฎ๐ง ๐๐จ๐ง๐ณ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐๐ง๐จ, Balik Scientist and Postdoctoral Bioinformatician at City St Georgeโs, University of London, United Kingdom.โฃโฃJoin us as Dr. Decano shares the milestones, accomplishments, and impact of her six-month Balik Scientist engagement, highlighting initiatives in genomics research, bioinformatics training, One Health antimicrobial resistance surveillance, and the development of sustainable scientific collaborations in the Cordillera region.โฃโฃ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ซ ๐๐๐๐ (๐๐ฎ๐๐ฌ๐๐๐ฒ)โฃโฃ๐ ๐:๐๐โ๐๐:๐๐ ๐๐โฃโฃ๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐จ๐ซโ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐จ๐จ๐ฆ, ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ข๐จโฃโฃ๐ป ๐๐ฒ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐๐ฏ๐๐ง๐ญ | ๐๐จ๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐จ๐จ๐ค ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐โฃโฃBe part of the conversation on strengthening local research capabilities, empowering the next generation of scientists, and building a sustainable genomics research ecosystem in the Cordilleras.โฃโฃ๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐๐๐ฌ ๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฃ๐จ๐ข๐ง ๐ฏ๐ข๐ซ๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฒ!โฃโฃ#BalikScientistProgram #DOSTPCHRD #UPBaguio #GenomicsResearch #Bioinformatics #OneHealth #SciencePH #CordilleraResearch
MSCaRE Call for Applications (2nd Sem 26-27)
The Department of Biology announces the opening of applications to the Master of Science in Conservation and Restoration Ecology Program for the 2nd Semester, AY 2026-2027.ย The deadline of application is on November 27, 2026.ย Here is the link to the online application form: https://forms.gle/37JUBVNw13JfSFow7ย For the DOST-ASTHRDP application requirements, those interested can email the GPO at gpo.upbaguio@up.edu.ph. #TheUniversityofthePhilippinesBaguioSupportstheSustainableDevelopmentGoals
STEM, Unfiltered
๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐โฃโฃ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง, ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ค & ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ง๐ฐ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ญ๐๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐๐ฌโฃ๐ ๐ ๐จ๐ซ๐ฎ๐ฆ ๐จ๐ง ๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฌ, ๐๐ก๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฌ & ๐ ๐ข๐ง๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ข๐๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐๐โฃ๐๐ฏ ๐ฆ๐ท๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ณ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐-๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ช๐ฌ ๐๐ค๐ช๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต๐ช๐ด๐ต ๐๐ณ๐ฐ๐จ๐ณ๐ข๐ฎ ๐ฐ๐ง ๐๐ณ. ๐๐ณ๐ถ๐ฏ ๐๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ป๐ข๐ญ๐ฆ๐ด ๐๐ฆ๐ค๐ข๐ฏ๐ฐโฃโฃWhat does it really take to build a career in STEM as a woman?โฃBeyond degrees, research, and professional achievements lies a world of opportunities, challenges, expectations, and unwritten rules that we donโt always talk about.โฃHow do you find the right opportunities? Build confidence? Make your voice heard? Navigate workplace politics? Set boundaries? And what happens when professional interactions become uncomfortable, especially when power and authority are involved?โฃ๐๐ญโ๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ข๐ฆ๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ก๐๐ฏ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐จ๐ฌ๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ.โฃโฃJoin us for ๐๐๐๐, ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐๐, an engaging and candid forum bringing together women at different stages of their STEM journeys to share experiences, exchange advice, and explore the realities of studying and working in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.โฃFrom finding scholarships, mentors, and career opportunities to navigating professional challenges, difficult colleagues, workplace power dynamics, and situations that are rarely discussed openly, this forum aims to create a space for meaningful and constructive conversations.โฃ๐๐จ ๐ซ๐๐ก๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐ ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฌ. ๐๐จ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฒ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฒ. ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ฆ๐๐๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐จ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฌ, ๐๐ก๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฌ, ๐๐ง๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐๐ซ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐๐โฃโฃ๐๐๐๐โ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐?โฃโจ ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง๐๐ฒ ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐๐ – Finding your path, discovering opportunities, and building a career.โฃ๐ฌ ๐ ๐ข๐ง๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ข๐๐ – Confidence, credibility, speaking up, and making yourself heard.โฃ๐งญ ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ง๐ฐ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ญ๐๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐๐ฌ – Mentorship, workplace culture, career progression, and navigating professional relationships.โฃโ๏ธ ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ – Power dynamics, professional boundaries, uncomfortable situations, and knowing when and how to seek support.โฃ๐ค ๐๐ฌ๐ค ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ฒ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ – An open forum for questions, shared experiences, and practical advice.โฃโฃ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐โฃ๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐: 24 October 2026 (Saturday)โฃ๐ ๐๐ข๐ฆ๐: 10:00 AM-12:00 PMโฃ๐ ๐๐๐ง๐ฎ๐: CS AVRโฃโฃThis forum is open to all interested participants, especially female students, early-career researchers, academics, and professionals in STEM.โฃTo encourage candid discussions about experiences and challenges that may be shaped by gender, participation is reserved for women.โฃWhether youโre just beginning your STEM journey, exploring your next career move, or already navigating professional life, your questions, experiences, and perspectives matter.โฃโฃ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ. ๐๐ฌ๐ค ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐๐๐ข๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ญ ๐ช๐ฎ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ. ๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐ฑ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ง๐๐๐ฌ. ๐ ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐ฏ๐จ๐ข๐๐.โฃBecause some of the most important lessons in STEM arenโt taught in classrooms or laboratories.โฃ
BS Biology Alumni Present Research at 1st National Patriot Research Conference
The Department of Biology congratulates our BS Biology alumni, Redcedrick Co and Gavin Wesley Rafanan, for presenting their research at the 1st National Patriot Research Conference held at Clark, Pampanga last 8โ12 July 2026. Redcedrick shared their research “Assessment of Biodegradation and Metabolic Capacity of Penicillium citrinum Against Various Hydrocarbon Derivatives”โco-authored by Mia Ayla Garcia, Philip John Omaweng, and Gavin Wesley Rafanan, and advised by Asst. Prof. Ronan Baculi. Gavin shared their research “Genomic Characterization of a Mid-Pathway Petroleum-Degrading Pluralibacter gergoviae Isolate”โadvised by Instr. Jodelyn Melegrito, Asst. Prof. Ronan Baculi, and Asst. Prof. Mac Michael Rubio. We warmly congratulate Redcedrick, Gavin, Mia, Philip, and their advisers for their contribution to microbiology!
The Department of Biology thanks BSU-OVCRE-CCARD for accommodating UPB Biology students in the Animal Care and Use for Research Training
The Department of Biology would like to thank the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) at the Cordillera Center for Animal Research and Development (CCARD), Office of the Vice President for Research and Extension (OVCRE), and Benguet State University (BSU) for accommodating fourteen (14) UPB BS Biology students in the Animal Care and Use for Research Training held last June 19, 2026 at the CCARD Building, BSU. The training serves as part of the Departmentโs efforts to ensure adherence to ethical principles and best practices in research. Photo credits to CCARD-BSU We support the Sustainable Development GoalsSDG-04 (Quality Education); SDG-14 (Life Below Water); SDG-15 (Life on Land); SDG-17 (Partnership for Goals)
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)
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)
Biology Department Holds ENVI Workshop for MS CaRE Students
Fourteen graduate students from the MS Conservation and Restoration Ecology (MS CaRE) program participated in a specialized workshop on the use of Environment for Visualizing Images (ENVI), a geospatial software recently acquired by the Department of Biology through MS CaRE GTFI funds. The workshop, held last August 21. 2025 at the IB Building, University of the Philippines Baguio, aimed to provide students with essential tools and skills to support their graduate research endeavors. It opened with welcoming remarks from Asst. Prof. Jeno Rey Pagaduan, the newly appointed MS CaRE Graduate Program Coordinator. This was followed by a lecture and hands-on session led by Asst. Prof. Deign Frolley Soriano, former faculty member and one of the Departmentโs GIS experts. Through this training, the Department continues its commitment to equipping graduate students with advanced methodologies and resources for ecological research and conservation studies. This event supports the Sustainable Development Goals: SDG-4 (Quality Education); SDG-14 (Life Below Water); SDG-15 (Life on Land)
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 โImplications of Land Use and Land Cover Changes to Avifaunal and Malacofaunal Assemblage in Canarem Lake, Victoria, Tarlacโ 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 โAssemblage and occurrence of small, non-volant mammals along a disturbance gradient in a lowland tropical forest of La Union, Northern Luzon.โ This paper is co-authored with his thesis groupmates โ 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 โ covering topics on plant ecology, reef biodiversity, insect ecology, freshwater ecosystems, and disturbance ecology โ showcased these young mindsโ 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)