MS CaRE Thesis Proposal Presentations (Satud, MTB & Pajo, JD)
The Department of Biology, College of Science, UP Baguio invites you to the thesis proposal presentation of the following students of Master of Science in Conservation and Restoration Ecology Program: Ms. Maria Theresa B. Satud (9:30 AM – 10:30 AM) “Phytoremediation Potential and Heavy Metal Accumulation of Phragmites australis within the Tailings Storage Facility 1 (TSF-1) of Benguet Corporation – Acupan Contract Mining Project (BC-ACMP) at Batuang, Virac, Itogon, Benguet” Mr. Jetro D. Pajo (10:30 AM – 11:30 AM) “Taxonomic Assessment of Trichoptera Assemblages in Tarlac River, Philippines and their Role as Bioindicators of Stream Health” 📅 Date: 05 October, 2025 (Monday) ⏰ Time: see specific presentations 📍F2F at CS AVR, UP Baguio and Via ZOOM Virtual Conference Join us in this insightful discussion on biodiversity conservation and restoration. See you there! 🌱✨💚
Tracing the Outbreak: A Seminar on Public Health Introduction to Genomic Tools for Cholera Outbreak Response
🧬 TRACING THE OUTBREAKPublic Health Introduction to Genomic Tools for Cholera Outbreak Response Please join us! Learn how genomics and bioinformatics can help support cholera outbreak investigation, surveillance, and public health response. 🎤 Featuring an invited speaker from the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) Mindanao 🤝 In partnership with the DOST-PCHRD Balik Scientist Program in the Cordilleras 📅 8 October 2026⏰ 8:30 AM–12:00 NN 📌 Technical SeminarAn introductory session on genomic tools, sequencing, and bioinformatics for outbreak response. ✨ Don’t miss out! Join us and discover how genomics can help trace disease outbreaks. Register Here: https://bit.ly/tracingtheoutbreak
Call for Student Assistants for 1st Semester (AY 2026-2027)
📢ANNOUNCEMENT The Department of Biology is in need of student assistants to assist in the Department of Biology Faculty Room and Biology Instruments Room. Interested applicants may submit their applications with complete requirements through this Google Form:https://forms.gle/XAzkJZP9bEcnWPTw8 The deadline for applications is on September 21, 2026. See poster for more details.
Thesis Students Secure Funding from the 2026 DOST-PCHRD Undergraduate Thesis Grant in Natural Products (First Call)
Photo credit from: Cordillera Regional Health Research and Development Consortium – Crhrdc The Department of Biology congratulates our BS Biology students Sophia Rhys Q. Bañados, Stephanie U. Buenconsejo, and Jherome G. Pangilinan for receiving a research grant under the 2026 DOST-PCHRD Undergraduate Thesis Grant in Natural Products (First Call)! The team, under the guidance of Dr. Ailyn Fadriquela and Dr. Roland Hipol, secured the grant for their study, “Phytochemical Profiling and In Vivo Neuroprotective Evaluation of Dillenia philippinensis Leaf Extract in Caenorhabditis elegans.” We extend our warmest congratulations to the team!
Freshie Orientation
CALLING ALL FRESHIE BIO STUDENTS INCLUDING SHIFTEES AND TRANSFEREES All BS BIO freshie students (SN 2026), including shiftees and transferees, are invited to attend the Department of Biology Freshie Orientation. Get to know the BS Biology Program, meet the Department of Biology faculty and staff, and make new friends as you begin your journey as a Biology student at UPB! WHERE: Himnasyo Amianan (at the HKP Building) WHEN: August 24, 2026, 2:30 PM onwards This event is important, as it provides you with starting guidance as you embark on your BS BIO journey here at UPB. Welcome to the Department of Biology, freshies, shiftees and transferees! We can’t wait to meet you!
Enrollment Reminders for 1st Semester AY 2026-2027
ATTENTION: BS Biology and MS CaRE students Kindly take note of the following enrollment schedules, advising assignments, and other reminders. Â To all students who wish to add or cancel classes offered by the Department of Biology, kindly accomplish the TP form below:https://forms.gle/Po7JbDhAJsbv3iEU7 Â Â
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 8–12 July 2026. Redcedrick shared their research “Assessment of Biodegradation and Metabolic Capacity of Penicillium citrinum Against Various Hydrocarbon Derivatives”—co-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”—advised 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!
MS Conservation and Restoration Ecology Students among the Top Presenters of the Young Arachnologist Forum
The Department of Biology congratulates our MS Conservation and Restoration Ecology (CaRE) students, Mark Villarubia and Von Eric Tagarino, for being recognized as among the top three presenters of the Young Arachnologist Forum in the recently concluded Arachnology Symposium 2026 and 1st Philippine Arachnological Society Inc (PASI) General Assembly, held at the University of Santo Tomas last 1–3 July 2026. They presented their research entitled “Occurrence of Lychas armillatus (Gervais, 1841) in fire-maintained pine forest in Central Cordillera, Luzon Island, Philippines”, also co-authored by Assoc. Prof. Aris Reginaldo. We warmly congratulate Mark, Von, and Sir Aris for their contribution to arachnology and conservation and restoration ecology!
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
Microbial Genomics Using Nanopore Long Reads with Balik Scientist Dr. Arun Decano
FROM FASTQ TO FINDINGS: COMMAND LINE-BASED MICROBIAL BIOINFORMATICS WORKSHOPS Session 2: Microbial Genomics Using Nanopore Long Reads Following the successful conduct of Session 1: Microbial Genomics Using Illumina Short Reads, the Department of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Baguio, through the DOST-PCHRD Balik Scientist Program of Dr. Arun Decano, is pleased to announce the continuation of the Microbial Bioinformatics Training Series with Session 2: Microbial Genomics Using Nanopore Long Reads. This second session builds upon the concepts and skills introduced during the first workshop and provides participants with advanced hands-on training in the analysis of Oxford Nanopore long-read sequencing data using command-line bioinformatics tools and reproducible analytical workflows. Participants will gain practical experience in: Quality Control Genome Assembly Genome Annotation Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Profiling  Workshop Details Date: Monday, 06 July 2026 Time: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM Venue: Basement 1, Innovation and Technology Transfer Office, University of the Cordilleras – Legarda Campus Participants for this workshop were selected from among faculty members, researchers, students, and technical staff of UP Baguio and its partner institutions with interests in bioinformatics, genomics, antimicrobial resistance, infectious diseases, data science, and related fields. Through this workshop series, the program continues to strengthen technical expertise, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and advance microbial genomics and bioinformatics capacity within UP Baguio, its partner institutions, and the Cordillera region. We look forward to welcoming back our participants as they continue their journey from FASTQ files to meaningful scientific discoveries through the application of cutting-edge microbial genomics and bioinformatics.