Department of Biological Sciences Archives - �ϰ��ϲʿ��¼

Thomasian DOST scholars bag research presentation awards for studies on ecology, tropical lake, and neutron spectrometry

Philippe Hernandez — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 03:34:36 +0000

Three alumnae of the pioneer batch of BS Biology major in Environmental Biology (Class 2022) who also finished their MS Biology degrees from the UST Graduate School (Class of 2024) and an alumnus of the M.Sc. Applied Physics major in Medical Physics (Class of 2024) won research presentation awards during the September 12-13, 2024 12^th Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Advanced Science and Technology Human Resources Development Program (ASTHRDP) Graduate Scholars Conference held in Dusit Thani Mactan, Cebu.

The UST delegation to the 12th ASTHRDP Scholars Conference

Ms. Anne Parojinog, MS won first place in the Oral Competition of the Biological and Health Sciences category (MS level) for her research entitled “Integrated Urban Ecology: A socio-ecological overview of Metropolitan Manila and bioecological study of its two urban protected forests”.

Meanwhile, Ms. Pauline Maglipon, MS won first place in the Poster Competition of the Agricultural and Environmental Science category for her poster entitled “Spatiotemporal distribution and diversity of plant communities in post fire sites of Mts. Iglit-Baco Natural Park, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines”. Both Ms. Parojinog and Ms. Maglipon were under the supervision of Biological Sciences academic researcher Nikki Heherson Dagamac, Dr.rer.nat.

Parojinog (second from left) receiving her award from Dr. John Paul Geraldino (Conference Chair), Engr. Albert Mariño (Director, DOST Science Education Institute) and Dr. Jan Mickelle Maratas (Conference Co-Chair)

Maglipon (second from left) receiving her award from Dr. John Paul Geraldino (Conference Chair), Engr. Albert Mariño (Director, DOST Science Education Institute) and Dr. Jan Mickelle Maratas (Conference Co-Chair)

Another Environmental Biology alumna, Ms. Kamille Poblete, M.Sc. won third place in the Poster Competition of the Biological and Health Sciences category for her research entitled “Temporal shifts of methane production and methane oxidizing bacteria communities: A limnological assessment in a tropical lake,” which she conducted under the supervision of College of Science Dean Rey Donne S. Papa, PhD.

Lastly, Mr. Theo Victor Cavite of the MS Applied Physics major in Medical Physics program garnered second place in the Poster Competition of the Physical Sciences Category. His poster entitled “Neutron spectrometry via in-115 activation foil at the Philippines’ sole research reactor” was co-authored with his supervisors Dr. Alvie J. Asuncion-Astronomo of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute and Asst. Prof. Roland Cristopher F. Caballar, Ph.D. of the UST Department of Mathematics and Physics.

Poblete (second from left) receiving her award from Dr. John Paul Geraldino (Conference Chair), Engr. Albert Mariño (Director, DOST Science Education Institute) and Dr. Jan Mickelle Maratas (Conference Co-Chair)

Cavite (second from left) receiving his award from Dr. John Paul Geraldino (Conference Chair), Engr. Albert Mariño (Director, DOST Science Education Institute) and Dr. Jan Mickelle Maratas (Conference Co-Chair)

These award-winning student researchers are part of the UST delegation composed of 13 DOST scholars, four Graduate School academic staff, and two UST DOST-ASTHRDP office project staff. The �ϰ��ϲʿ��¼ is a member of the National Science Consortium (NSC) under the ASTHRDP of the DOST–Science Education Institute, which oversees the offering of scholarships in flagship Science and Technology graduate programs. UST is represented in the NSC by Dean Papa. First offered in UST in 2010, the DOST-ASTHRDP scholarship has supported 435 Master of Science graduates and 55 doctoral degree graduates. This academic year, there are 70 Master of Science and 6 doctoral students enjoying the scholarship.

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Thomasian scientists help sound alarm on next invasive species threatening global biodiversity

Philippe Hernandez — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 08:26:57 +0000

Three Thomasian scientists joined foreign researchers in sounding the alarm on potential invasive species that can threaten worldwide biodiversity, a new article published in Global Change Biology revealed.

Master of Science in Biology alumnus Arman N. Pili (now a research affiliate at Monash University), Department of Biological Sciences academic researcher Mae Lowe Diesmos, MSc, and Graduate School academic staff Arvin Diesmos, PhD joined eleven (11) scholars from different parts of the world in the study “Forecasting potential invaders to prevent future biological invasions worldwide.” Biological invasions, include the introduction of foreign, i.e., alien species, into a given area, have been brought about by the “ever-increasing and expanding globalization of trade and transport.”

The study provided a quantitative invasion risk assessment tool based on invasion syndromes (i.e., generalizing typical attributes of invasive alien species). The researchers based on their work on the modelling of invasion syndromes of 466 amphibians and reptile species with invasion history, then used the data to forecast possible invasion for the rest of the 16,236 species worldwide.

Based on their findings, “160 amphibians and reptiles without known invasion history could be unintentionally transported and introduced in the future,” with 57 posing a “high risk of establishing alien populations.” Such introduction may happen through the accidental transport of fresh produce to a territory by travelers.

In a spinoff article published in The Conversation, Pili and co-researcher David Chapple warned that among the species that can invade Australian biodiversity are the Graceful Chameleon, Common European Viper, and American toad.

The new tool lends itself to “developing a future-proof preventative biosecurity” system globally.

Both Dr. Arvin and Asst. Prof. Mae Lowe Diesmos are scholars on the systematics, ecology, and conservation of amphibians and reptiles in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.

Sources:

Research Article:

Feature Article:

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Bennett of BioSci, RCNAS is 2024 Outstanding Young Scientist

Philippe Hernandez — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 11:37:15 +0000

Asst. Prof. Reuel M. Bennett, Dr. rer. nat., incumbent Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences, was hailed as the 2024 Outstanding Young Scientist by the National Academy of Science and Technology following stringent nationwide screening.

Bennett

Bennett (3rd from left) flanked by NAST officials and Science Dean Rey Donne Papa (4th from left)

Bennett was recognized for research efforts as young researcher at the Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences and for his work while a graduate student. Specifically, Bennett’s work on the taxonomy and evolution of oomycetes was recognized. Building on the comprehensive study by Dogma, Bennett’s contributions helped “fill in the missing literature and knowledge gap in Philippine Oomycetes.” His studies focus on oomycete taxonomy, ecology, and evolution. Recently, he has engaged with fellow Thomasian researchers on the applied aspects of oomycetes such as fatty acids and secondary metabolites. Among his collaborators, are Prof. Dr. Gina Dedeles, Inst. Mark Devanadera, Prof. Dr. Mafel Ysrael, Inst. Nono Caguimbal, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Kim Arafiles.

His current focus is researching with and training students “who are very willing to learn about these organisms,” which he counts as a rarity as the work involves long hours of observations using a microscope to try and decode the oomycetes life cycle and development.

In his interview with the Communications Bureau, Bennett acknowledged College of Science Dean Rey Donne S. Papa, PhD for the nomination and his plant pathology and mycology professor at the UST Graduate School, Prof. Irineo J. Dogma, Jr., PhD, whom he hailed as the “authority on zoosporic fungi.” He also thanked graduate research advisers Prof. Dedeles and Prof. Dr. Marco Thines. The Chair also thanked his colleagues and teachers in the department, namely Asst. Prof. Mae Lowe Diesmos, Prof. Dr. Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz, Prof. Dr. Pia Marie S.P. Albano, and Prof. Dr. Maureen Sabit.

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Papa of Microbio named 2023 Rosalind Franklin Society Special Awardee for advancing scientific knowledge

darren ramos — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 06:13:46 +0000

Professor Donna May D.C. Papa, PhD of the Department of Biological Sciences was named the 2023 Rosalind Franklin Society Special Awardee for Science. In a letter from the society’s Executive Director, Karla Shepard Rubinger, Papa is being recognized for her “remarkable contributions and dedication to advancing scientific knowledge.”

In an interview with the Communications Bureau, Papa said the awards came as a surprise, as she was “never informed of the nominations.” Instead, the selection by RFS was done among female scientists worldwide.

Papa, a Microbiology professor at the College of Science and the Graduate School, specializes in bacterial viruses or bacteriophages. In the professional circles, she was the former President of the Philippine Society of Microbiology. She has also won awards, such as the National Academy of Science and Technology Outstanding Scientific Paper for her work on Salmonella treatment. In 2023, she joined international experts for the very first hands-on Bacteriophage Workshop in Southeast Asia. At the moment, she is working on phage therapy as an alternative to antibiotics given the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Papa acknowledged the support of her family, her mentors Prof. Irineo J. Dogma, Jr., Dr. Hans Ackermann, and her students.

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Taiwan’s Tzu Foundation, UST collaborate on pioneering Telomere Clinical Study

Hans Malgapu — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 02:40:39 +0000

Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital and Medical Center in Taiwan has joined forces with the �ϰ��ϲʿ��¼ (UST) to embark on a clinical study on “telomeres.” Telomeres, often described as the guardians of gene stability, are specialized DNA repeats found at the ends of chromosomes. Their length gradually shortens with each round of chromosome replication, and when they become too short, it triggers cell apoptosis. This unique biological phenomenon allows the length of telomeres to function as a clock for cell division, providing insights into an individual’s biological age. Moreover, telomeres have been found to be closely associated with medical conditions, including bone marrow failure, cancer, and a range of aging-related diseases.

Under the auspices of the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s New Southbound 2.0 Program, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital has been proactively involved in “New Southbound Medical and Health Cooperation and Industrial Chain Development.” A pivotal development occurred in 2023 when the hospital facilitated the establishment of the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Chongren General Hospital in the Philippines. This strategic move has laid the foundation for a multinational clinical trial program, which commenced in mid-October, carried out in close collaboration with the �ϰ��ϲʿ��¼ in the Philippines. This comprehensive program not only involves imparting technical training to the Philippine medical and research team but also encompasses the creation of a DNA database, with the overarching aim of advancing the treatment of telomere-related diseases.

Dr. Shang-Hsien Yang, who conducted extensive research on bone marrow failure syndrome at Boston Children’s Hospital in the United States, played a pivotal role in establishing the technical platform for telomere-related research. Under his guidance and with support from Cheng Yoong Pang, Deputy Director of the Department of Medical Research, and Dr. Liuh-Yow Chen, Associate Research Fellow at the Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, this international clinical trial collaboration program with the �ϰ��ϲʿ��¼ in the Philippines became a reality.

Director Li emphasized the growing importance of cross-border clinical trials by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. He underscored the rarity of clinical trial cooperation between Taiwan and the Philippines, making this partnership a significant achievement.

Relatedly, the “Telomere Clinical Research and Taiwan Medical Humanities Exchange Workshop” took place at Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital and Medical Center in Hualien City, Taiwan, from October 10 to 16, 2023. The inaugural ceremony gathered a distinguished assembly of key figures in the medical field. UST participants in the said workshop included Prof. Pia Marie Albano, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof. Maureen Sabit, Ph.D. and Ms. Mariella Cielo Cobarrubias, M.Sc. – academic staff of the UST Department of Biological Sciences, BS Biology alumnus Jerome Alfred Tabajonda, and Dr. Flordeluna Zapata-Mesina, a hematologic oncologist from the �ϰ��ϲʿ��¼ Hospital. Their presence marked a historic moment in the burgeoning transnational medical collaboration between Taiwan and the Philippines.

Director Yang expressed optimism that the collaboration and hands-on laboratory work would foster mutual understanding between Taiwan and the Philippines, ensuring smoother cooperation in future clinical trials. Dr. Albano, renowned for her work in cancer research, aspired to uncover the link between telomeres and human health through future clinical trials, with the potential to advance cancer research. The workshop, spanning several days, included presentations on telomere research, laboratory training, and in-depth discussions with the Philippine team. This initiative holds the potential to advance our understanding of telomeres and their role in healthcare, ultimately benefiting patients and medical practitioners worldwide.

This cooperative endeavor not only signifies a rare instance of clinical trial cooperation between the two nations but also represents a significant step forward in the healthcare domain.

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Population genetics, phylogeorgraphy study of invasive species in Laguna de Bay wins best paper presentation award

Philippe Hernandez — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 12:21:12 +0000

A research paper entitled “Population Genetics and Phylogeography pf Arctodiaptomus dorsalis (Marsh, 1907): A Case of Human-mediated Panmixia within Luzon, Philippines” by Department of Biological Sciences academic staff Shea Kathleen P. Guinto, MSc was awarded the First Place of the Oral Presentation award in the 11th DOST ASTHDRP Graduate Scholars Conference held from September 26-27, 2023 at the Philippine International Convention Center. The 2023 edition of the conference bore a theme calling for a “Resilient, Unified, and Sustainable Philippines.” Guinto co-authored the paper with Ryuji J. Machida and her dissertation adviser, Prof. Rey Donne S. Papa, PhD.

Guinto, a Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Sciences student of the Graduate School, studied the freshwater calanoid copepod which was named an invasive species. Genomic DNA were extracted to represent seven populations in Luzon. The noted population increase is attributed to “the suspected initial introduction via ornamental aquarium fish trade practices in 1905 and then a population range expansion through a single or multiple introduction event towards other nearby inland waters through accidental movement of A. dorsalis individuals via human-mediated activities, particularly aquaculture, which have persisted since 1972.”

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Decline, extinction of 15 Lake Lanao cyprinid fishes traced in NUS science historian’s lecture

Philippe Hernandez — Sun, 10 Sep 2023 23:27:24 +0000

A lecture entitled Baoulan to Kadurog: Histories of Life and Loss in Philippine Freshwaters was held on September 8, 2023 at the College of Science. The lecture was delivered by Dr. Anthony Medrano of the National University of Singapore, a science historian who specializes in biodiversity studies. Medrano has been appointed as a Presidential Young Professor of Environmental Studies of Yale-NUS College and an Assistant Professor at the NUS Department of History.

Dr. Medrano delivering his lecture.

Dr. Medrano, Dean Rey Donne S. Papa, and Medical Biology students

Science Dean Rey Donne S. Papa (left) presents the certificate of appreciation to Dr. Medrano.

Medrano’s talk focused on the extinction of Lake Lanao’s 15 endemic cyprinid fishes from the genus Barbodes, including the highly prized Barbodes baoulan which was eventually traced to the proliferation of an invasive fish species, Glossogobius giuris. The latter was introduced to the lake during the 1960s to augment local fisheries. As a historian, Medrano also provided perspectives on the history of the discovery of the endemic cyprinids of Lake Lanao, including the scientists who discovered the said species and documented the decline of Lake Lanao’s biodiversity.

The lecture was attended by undergraduate and graduate students in Biology as well as select faculty members of the Department of Biological Sciences. The event was organized by undergraduate BS Biology major in Medical Biology students under 2MBio3 as part of their General Ecology (Bio 426) class under the supervision of Dean Rey Donne S. Papa, PhD.

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UST pays tribute to 44 academic staff retirees of AY 2022-2023

Philippe Hernandez — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 23:00:44 +0000

On July 25, 2023, the �ϰ��ϲʿ��¼ feted forty-three (43) teaching and non-teaching academic staff who either reached the mandatory retirement age of 65 years old or availed of optional retirement through a Testimonial. The event will start with a Eucharistic Celebration officiated by the Rev. fr. Pablo T. Tiong, O.P., Vice-Rector for Religious Affairs.

University officials led by the Rector, the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Cheryl R. Peralta, DrPH, and academic unit heads joined the event to confer the recognitions upon this year’s retirees, namely:

Accountancy

Inst. Rosalina L. Erece, MS – 8 years of service

Asst. Prof. Shirley C. Ireneo, MA – 39.5 years of service

Architecture

Assoc. Prof. Leah P. dela Rosa, PhD – 28 years of service

Arts and Letters

Asst. Prof. Jocelyn A. Amongo, MEd – 26 years of service

Prof. Arlen A. Ancheta, PhD – 42.5 years of service

Asst. Prof. Zenaida L. de Luna, MEd – 25.5 years of service

Asst. Prof. Gonzalo R. Malihan, PhD – 16 years of service

Prof. Felicidad E. Pereña, EdD – 22 years of service

Asst. Prof. Josephine A. Placido, MA – 41.5 years of service

Civil Law

Prof. Philip A. Aguinaldo, Ll. B. – 40 years of service

Counseling and Career Center

Assoc. Counselor Monica Sophia D.L. Tuason, PhD – 20 years of service

Engineering

Assoc. Prof. Josefin S. de Alban, Jr., MS, Ll. B. – 44 years of service

Fine Arts and Design

Inst. Guia Concepcion A. Sarte – 6 years of service

Medicine and Surgery

Asst. Prof. German Jose T. Albano, MD – 28 years of service

Asst. Prof. Jolinda V. Almazan, MD – 30 years of service

Prof. Mary Jocylyn S. Bautista, MD – 32 years of service

Prof. Remedios D. Chan, MD – 36 years of service

Assoc. Prof. Nilo C. delos Santos, MD – 32 years of service

Assoc. Prof. Alejandro Bimbo F. Diaz, MD – 36 years of service

Prof. Maria Honolina S. Gomez, MD – 29.5 years of service

Assoc. Prof. Lerrie D. Gutierrez, MD – 26 years of service

Prof. Albert E. Ismael, MD – 30 years of service

Assoc. Prof. Iluminada M. Lerma, MD – 30.5 years of service

Prof. Norberto V. Martinez, MD – 34 years of service

Prof. Alejandro Jr. V. Pineda, MD – 32 years of service

Prof. Raymond L. Rosales, MD – 35 years of service

Assoc. Prof. Josefino I. Sanchez, MD – 30 years of service

Assoc. Prof. Marie Michelle Y. So, MD – 30 years of service

Prof. Anniela Y. Soliven, MD – 32.5 years of service

Assoc. Prof. Ma. Irene B. Tangco, MD – 30 years of service

Nursing

Assoc. Prof. Eden I. Beltran, MA – 34 years of service

Asst. Prof. Cecilia P. Buenaflor, MA – 34 years of service

Asst. Prof. Margaret M. Natividad, MA – 39 years of service

Pharmacy

Prof. Ma. Cristina C. Doria, PhD – 42 years of service

Asst. Prof. Andrea G. Vargas, MS – 30 years of service

Religion

Prof. Noel G. Asiones, PhD – 40 years of service

Asst. Prof. Jose Carlos, MA

Asst. Prof. Catalina M. Lituañas, MA – 40 years of service

Asst. Prof. Claudita O. Yaranon, MA – 36 years of service

Science

Asst. Prof. Catherine C. Carson, MS – 28.5 years of service

Assoc. Prof. Alicia Ely J. Pagulayan, MS – 39.5 years of service

Asst. Prof. Ma. Victoria B. Pangilinan, MS – 26.5 years of service

Asst. Prof. Marites D. Saludares, EdD – 34 years of service

Prof. Marie Antonette S. Vargas, PhD – 30 years of service

A life of great service

In his homily, fr. Tiong, on the occasion of the Feast of St. James the Apostle, thanked the retirees for their many years of service, “one of the central themes of the day’s Gospel.” “This [gratitude] is really something that comes from the heart of the University…because…you have graced the University by your presence, by your very person,” fr. Tiong said in his homily.

During the testimonial, Prof. Peralta lauded the retirees for molding their students’ character and empowering them to contribute positive changes in the world through education. “As you step into the next chapter of your lives in retirement, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of you for selflessly dedicating yourselves to molding young minds, motivating discouraged hearts, and uplifting dampened spirits that allowed Thomasian students, alumni, and university staff reach what they are today,” Peralta said.

In his message, fr. Ang stated that seasoned teachers have fulfilled their roles when students finally develop their own moral compass to guide them in life and extend their learnings beyond the classroom, as well as getting remembered for acknowledging and treating them well. “They will remember how well you treated them, how they felt valued and cared for, and how you recognized their unique gifts and talents,” fr. Ang said.

Meanwhile, Assoc. Prof. Josefin de Alban, Jr. delivered his acceptance speech on behalf of the retirees, emphasizing that the University they served for years will always be their home. “Retiring faculty members shall never leave UST. We shall never forget,” de Alban said. “UST is our home and we always wanted to be in this beloved Pontifical University whenever we are away from her,” he added.

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UST’s contributions to biology, biodiversity research highlighted in NUS conference

Philippe Hernandez — Sat, 15 Jul 2023 22:34:10 +0000

UST’s contributions to biology and biodiversity research in the Philippines were presented by College of Science Dean Rey Donne S. Papa, PhD in a conference organized by the National University of Singapore from July 13-14, 2023. According to Papa’s presentation, the earliest recorded contributions of UST can be traced to the 1869 establishment of the UST Museum of Natural Sciences, and, three decades later, the publication of the three-volume Catalogue of Philippine Fauna by Spaniard Fr. Casto de Elera, O.P., whose work was touted as one of the first attempts “at compiling a comprehensive systematic listing of the faunal diversity of the Philippines,” according to biodiversity researchers Arvin Diesmos, PhD, and Mae Lowe Diesmos, MSc.

During the same period and into the middle of the 1900s, notable professors and university alumni made contributions to fields such as bacteriology, botany, freshwater biology, and genetics, among others, even though, as Papa noted, there was no “formal research agenda in the University until the establishment of the UST Research Center in 1962.” Despite the “supporting” roles that biologists were relegated to when research focus shifted to applied research, Papa noted the “renaissance from the 2000s onwards,” which culminated in the establishment of “Biodiversity, Ecology, Systematics, and Taxonomy (BEST) as a recognized research cluster in the university, contributing significantly to the university’s research productivity and providing important scientific data.”

Entitled “On Biodiversity: History, Heritage, and Research in Asia,” the hybrid conference was organized by NUS’s Asia Research Institute with support from Yale-NUS College. Papa, a limnologist by profession, has published 75 research articles in local and international peer-reviewed journals, as well as book chapters and textbooks. A freshwater zooplankton ecology and systematics specialist, he is the National Ambassador of the Philippines to the International Society of Limnology.

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UST REFI bags P16.5M grant for Siquijor’s conservation efforts

Philippe Hernandez — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 08:50:44 +0000

The UST Research and Endowment Foundation Inc. (REFI) won a P16.5 million grant recently to conduct an action research project on environmental conservation and ecotourism in Siquijor province.

UST REFI was awarded the grant by the Gerry Roxas Foundation (GRF) and the Philippine office of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for the project titled “Siquijor Island Conservation and Restoration: Toward a Regenerative Ecotourism Destination”.

This action research project was among 11 recipients of grants from GRF’s program called INSPIRE or Investing in Sustainable Partnerships for Inclusive Growth and Regenerative Ecosystems.

Looking at both seascapes and landscapes, the project aims to ensure that the island’s natural ecosystems “will be conserved and restored, leading to a sustainable and regenerative Siquijor Island”. For 2.5 years, this action research project hopes to aid Siquijor’s collaborative governance efforts on environmental protection, environmental conservation education, and achieving community-based sustainable livelihood.

The project seeks to empower Siquijor’s provincial and municipal governments to regulate the use of trees and medicinal plants, curb illegal and unregulated fishing activities, encourage tourism development, reduce solid and liquid wastes, and control freshwater consumption. These efforts contribute to the vision of making Siquijor a “zero-waste island”.

A team from REFI will spearhead the project, led by Executive Director Fr. Maximo Gatela, O.P. and Technical Team Leader Dr. Moises Norman Garcia of the College of Science. Team members include Dr. Maria Rosario Virginia Cobar-Garcia (Science), Dr. Arlen Ancheta and Dr. Alain Jomarie Santos (both from the Faculty of Arts and Letters), as well as Asst. Prof. Arnold Distor and Asst. Prof. Racquel Layco (Science).

Dr. Ancheta, Dr. Cobar-Garcia, Dr. Garcia, and Asst. Prof. Layco had done studies on the zero-waste island concept, covering solid waste management, energy efficiency, food and water, and sustainable use of natural resources. These previous studies were conducted for a global advocacy group, the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), under the auspices of the Research Center for Social Sciences and Education (or RCSSED, UST’s social sciences research arm).

According to team leader Dr. Moises Norman Garcia, the previous studies and the current INSPIRE-funded project will capitalize on “environmental advocacy to counter climate change and [take inspiration from] Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Sí.”

This INSPIRE-funded project contributes to climate change action, says this full professor of Biological Sciences, by directly aligning the project to some of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.

UST REFI formalized its receipt of the INSPIRE grants during a May 22 grants awarding ceremony at the National Museum of Natural History, with the US Ambassador to the Philippines, Her Excellency Mary Kay L. Carlson, gracing the event.

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Department of Biological Sciences Archives - �ϰ������ϲʿ�����¼