Pavia, the immediate past Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences, has worked on non-native aquatic organisms and non-native freshwater fish species. In 2023, he published an article warning about the risk of non-native fishes invading due to climate change, with Lake Taal as the study site. Recently, he co-authored the article “Development and application of a second-generation multilingual tool for invasion risk screening of non-native terrestrial plants.”

First chartered in 1968, FIFMS now has over twenty-three members comprised of both public and private higher education institutions. The federation provides an avenue for greater collaboration among members through collaborative research undertakings and the sharing of expertise and resources.

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Elected alongside Ramos is Dr. Jessamyn Marie Yazon of the Philippine Science High School – Main Campus. Both of them served as Presidents of the Biology Teachers Association of the Philippines (BIOTA-Phils).

An allergology expert, Ramos is a decorated researcher who has received various national and international accolades. As a leader, he served as the immediate past Dean of the College of Science and under his term, the College secured international accreditation from the ASEAN University Network Quality Assurance for its BS Biology program. Ramos also teaches at the Graduate School.

AABE gathers educators from across Asia and Australia and holds a biennial conference, which this year was held from October 12-14, 2024 in Ehime University, Japan. The association likewise publishes the Asian Journal of Biology Education to provide a venue for latest research from the field. The association also capacitates teachers through professional development interventions.

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A team of aquatic biologists and microbiologists led by Asst. Prof. Reuel Bennett, Dr.rer.nat., Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences, and Inst. Elfritzson Peralta, M.Sc., together with DBS academic staff Inst. Allan Gilles, M.Sc. and Inst. Eunice Aaron, M.Sc. (Marine Biology team), Inst. Justine De Leon, M.Sc. and Inst. Kenneth Xavier Sanchez, M.Sc. (Freshwater Biology team) conducted the study from August 11 to 14, 2024. The team covered 26 study sites in the watershed area, including mangrove forests, coastal areas, estuaries, streams, rivers, and a freshwater lake – Lake Danao. 

On September 17, 2024, Peralta, Assoc. Prof. Richard Thomas B. Pavia Jr., PhD, and Inst. Allan Gilles Jr., MSc presented the project’s initial results to Mayor Torres-Gomez. Also present were City Councilors Peter Rodriguez, Caren Torres Rama, Edmund Kierulf, and Bert Pades, together with officials from the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, City Agricultural Office, and representatives from the Protected Areas Management Board.

This initiative, which underscores the strong partnership between UST scientists and their government counterparts, is a testament to their shared commitment to bring science to the community.

Academic and research staff of the UST Department of Biological Sciences conducting the water quality monitoring, biological sampling and microbiological analysis of aquatic ecosystems in Ormoc Bay and its tributaries.

The UST Team, Mayor Lucy Torres Gomez, and the City of Ormoc officials after the presentation of the team’s initial findings.

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Bennett delivered a lecture entitled “Oomycetes in Philippine freshwater ecosystems”, highlighting current research developments in taxonomy and potential utilization of oomycetes (aquatic fungi) for aquaculture as natural food source due to its potential for mass propagation and fatty acid content. Meanwhile, Papa updated the audience on “Methane Dynamics and Limnological Monitoring in Tropical East Asia: The Case of Lake Yambo”, which emphasized on the importance of routine limnological monitoring for water quality and methane concentrations in tropical lakes such as Lake Yambo as these are closely linked to eutrophication, especially in tropical lake ecosystems, especially those heavily utilized for aquaculture.

Papa and Bennett joined speakers from Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Turkiye, and Vietnam in giving lectures on the ecology and life history of economically important aquatic organisms, aquaculture, and fisheries, including topics on conservation, management, climate change adaptation and sustainability.

Chonnam National University holds the distinction of having the first and oldest fisheries and marine educational institution in South Korea and is known for receiving the most research funding among Korean universities.

Its College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences maintains two research vessels, including the 96.45m ship Sae Dong Baek which was launched in 2019. Symposium speakers were given the opportunity to visit and inspect the research facilities of their two research vessels, which routinely conducts research cruises around the Korean peninsula.  A best research poster competition was also held during the symposium where graduate students and researchers of Chonnam National University showcased their latest research findings.

The event was organized by the CNU College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences in cooperation with the Korea Fishery Resource Management Research Institute and the Institute of Fishing Village and Aquaculture.

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Guinto, who teaches Science, Technology, and Society as well as Environmental Science, shared her expertise and knowledge regarding the basic concepts of climate change and the role of humans in speeding up its processes and effects. The Islamic Principles of Environmental Stewardship include: (1) Oneness with Allah, (2) Humans as Stewards, (3) Balance in Nature, and (4) Public Interest, while Muslim perceptions on climate change include: (1) that it is caused by humans, (2) it is spiritual in nature, (3) there is skepticism caused by conspiracies, (4) that priorities are focused on economic issues instead of environmental concerns, and (5) that there are regional variations in the understanding of climate change. Guinto shared the science behind these perceptions and helped clarify some misconceptions by providing science-based support to current activities toward climate change adaptations that were raised during event. 

The participation of Guinto was made possible through the invitation of Dr. Dimapuno A. Datu-Ramos, Jr. Director of the NCMF-NCR Regional Office to the UST College of Science to participate in this event. This highlights and recognizes the need for inter-religious and multi-sectoral efforts for effective climate change mitigation and adaptation in the Philippines.

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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.

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.

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. ������Ƶ of Santo Tomas 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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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 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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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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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 University of Santo Tomas 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 University of Santo Tomas 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 University of Santo Tomas 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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