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.
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 Department’s 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)
BS Biology student presents poster at the 14th Regional Health Research Conference of CRHRDC
UPB BS Biology (Microbiology AoC) student, Gavin Wesley Rafanan, participated in the 14th Regional Health Research Conference of the Cordillera Regional Health Research and Development Consortium (CRHRDC) held on June 18-19, 2026. During the conference, he presented a poster based on his undergraduate thesis entitled “Genomic Characterization of a Mid-pathway Petroleum-degrading Pluralibacter gergoviae Isolate.” We support the Sustainable Development GoalsSDG-03 (Good Health and Wellbeing); SDG-04 (Quality Education)
BS Biology students earns Best Paper Presenter award at the International Mushroom Congress and National Forum on the Future of Mushrooms held on May 28-29, 2026
The Department of Biology congratulates our students Jasmine Gabrielle Bolo and Precious Shynne Leonoras for being recognized as the Best Paper Presenter for Processing, Functional Products and Health Applications Category at the International Mushroom Congress and National Forum on the Future of Mushrooms held on May 28-29, 2026 Their paper entitled “Neuropharmacological Potential of Ganoderma lucidum: Multimodal Evidence from in vitro, in vivo, and in silico Approaches on Caenorhabditis elegans” is an undergraduate thesis study under the advisorship of Professor Roland Hipol and co-advisorship of Assistant Professor Ailyn Fadriquela. We support the Sustainable Development GoalsSDG-03 (Good Health and Wellbeing); SDG-04 (Quality Education)
The Department of Biology is now taking AREA OF CONCENTRATION Applications
Attention BS Biology students Application for Area of Concentration (AoC) is now open for the 1st semester of AY 2026-2027! Please see poster for details.Google Form: https://forms.gle/rataheuXbYmvG3U97 NOTE: Please use your UP mail in accessing the form.
Graduate Thesis Examination of thesis entitled “Moraceae Tree Diversity, Assemblage, and Density in Disturbed and Less Disturbed Lowland Forests in Mt. Busa-MaKiMa, Sarangani Province, Mindanao”
𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭The MS CaRE Program of the Department of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Baguio, invites the public to the graduate thesis examination of Ms. Bhegie May G. Buay for the degree Master of Science in Conservation and Restoration Ecology.Thesis Title:Moraceae Tree Diversity, Assemblage, and Density in Disturbed and Less Disturbed Lowland Forests in Mt. Busa-MaKiMa, Sarangani Province, MindanaoDate: May 21, 2026 (Thursday)Time: 10:00 AMF2F at IB 204 and Via ZOOM Virtual Conference.All faculty, students, and interested individuals are invited to attend.
The Department of Biology welcomes Balik Scientist Program (BSP) Awardee Dr. Arun Decano
The Department of Biology warmly welcomes our alumni and distinguished DOST Balik Scientist Program (BSP) Awardee, Dr. Arun Decano. Dr. Decano is currently a Senior Research Fellow and Postdoctoral Bioinformatician at City St George’s, University of London. She holds a PhD in Genetics and specializes in infection genomics, genome sequencing, phylodynamics, and antimicrobial resistance research. Her work integrates genomics and machine learning to strengthen antimicrobial resistance surveillance and improve evidence-based public health strategies. She previously held senior bioinformatics roles at the University of Oxford and the University of St. Andrews and has actively contributed to global capacity-building initiatives through Wellcome Connecting Science. Under the Balik Scientist Program, Dr. Decano will be on a short-term engagement hosted by the Department of Biology and the Science Research Center, University of the Philippines Baguio. During her stay, she aims to strengthen genomics and bioinformatics capacity in the Philippines, particularly in the Cordillera region. As part of her engagement with UP Baguio, the community can look forward to a series of seminar lectures, workshops, mentoring activities, curriculum enhancement initiatives, and collaborative research opportunities focused on genomics, bioinformatics, microbial ecology, and antimicrobial resistance surveillance. Collaborative networks and linkages are also expected to further strengthen regional research and training capacities. This engagement was made possible through the efforts of Dr. Roland Hipol, current coordinator of the Science Research Center (SRC), who initiated the request during his previous term as Chair of the Department of Biology. We support the Sustainable Development GoalsSDG-4 (Quality Education); SDG-8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth); SDG-17 (Partnership for Goals)
The Department of Biology is now taking TRANSFEREE & READMISSION Application
🌱ANNOUNCEMENT 🌱The Department of Biology is now accepting TRANSFER/READMISSION applications to the BS Biology program for AY 2026-2027.📅 Deadline: June 22, 2026 (Monday)For more detailed instructions, email: cs-ocs.upbaguio@up.edu.ph We support the Sustainable Development GoalsSDG-4 (Quality Education)