Ongoing Projects
We advocate achieving sustainable biodiversity management in the Philippines by employing collaborative and multidisciplinary research approaches.
Completed
In progress
CONSERVATION
MATAPAT
Multidisciplinary Approaches for Tamaraw Protection Against Threats
(May 2021 - February 2024)
This is a DOST-PCAARRD funded project that aims to document the remaining presence of the endemic bovine Bubalus mindorensis (Tamaraw) and other critically endangered wildlife in protected areas of Mindoro Island using camera trapping technology, habitat suitability modeling.
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MICROBIAL MODELS IN MT. CALAVITE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
(May 2021 - February 2024)
This is a sub-component of the project MATAPAT that aims to investigate the unbeknownst microbial diversity in the protected areas of MCWS. The collection of litter along an elevational belt was conducted on two seasons (wet and dry) and was further analyzed in the controlled laboratory set-ups.
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MAHIWAGA
Machine learning Approaches to document Human Interactions on Wildlife through Applications of Geospatial Analyses
A passion project that utilized modern and innovative technologies such as machine learning and geospatial analyses to address pressing issues related to conservation and biodiversity strategies employed on major protected areas in the country, especially those affecting the faunal groups facing critical and endangered status.
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LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY
INFLORAS
Integrated Floristic Assessment
(June 15, 2022 – June 14, 2024)
This is a three-component program (MARVELS, VIVA, PRICE) aimed to assess the floras and protist diversity in the vulnerable coastal areas of San Fernando La Union to serve as a baseline for policy recommendations on sustainable ecotourism and risk disaster management in the city. This is funded by the National Research Council of the Philippines for the next three years.
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NATURESCAN
Navigating Aerial Topography Using REmote Sensing for Comprehensive Analysis of Nature's elements
NATURESCAN is an innovative remote sensing study that comprehensively analyzes the four fundamental elements: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. Utilizing advanced aerial imaging and geospatial technologies, NATURESCAN aims to provide a detailed understanding of natural landscapes, atmospheric conditions, fire susceptibility, and aquatic ecosystems. By integrating cutting-edge remote sensing techniques, NATURESCAN offers valuable insights into the dynamic interplay of these critical natural elements.
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INVENTORY OF BEACH FOREST IN SAN FERNANDO CITY, LA UNION
Combining classical floral survey and modern use of remotely sensed information to analyze the status of beach forest plant indicators, carbon sequestered by the vulnerable beach forest in SFLU, and evaluation of habitat risk status using the InVEST model.
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HARVESTING
Harmonizing All Filipino Resources by Valuating Ecosystem Services and Tracing Important Natural Goods
This interdisciplinary passion project profiles vulnerable coastal communities' demographics and how they utilize their coastal resources using contingent valuation methods. Furthermore, this project capitalizes on getting information on how ecosystem services provided by different landscapes in the Philippines can be of monetary value.
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URBAN
URban Biodiversity AssessmeNts
This passion project focuses on another important but less explored landscape in the country: the urban environment. Specifically using the combination of functional, physiological, and species diversity to create policy formulations on improving the quality of urban spaces in the country.
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PLANT SUCCESSION STUDIES
This passion project uses floral data coming from different landscapes, grasslands, wetlands, forests, and savannahs in the Philippines and is analyzed how disturbances, both natural and anthropogenic, can influence their diversity and distribution across time and space.
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BIOPROSPECTING
BIOMODELING
COVAM
Coastal Vulnerability Assessment Using InVest Models
(May 2024 – April 2025)
This is a one-year grant given as a price of the Outstanding Young Scientist that combines monitoring and assessment of the coastal areas that are vulnerable to natural hazards in the area of San Fernando (city-wide) and La Union (provincial-wide) using models.
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IN SILICO ANALYSIS OF POTENTIAL MICROBIAL BIOMARKERS FOR AGRI and AQUACULTURE INDUSTRIES
This passion study uses a meta-analysis approach to employ the recent surge of high throughput sequencing data freely available as microbial genetic data. Such amplicon sequence-based models can analyze major microbial profiles and their abundance and determine possible taxonomic markers.
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Contact us
Laboratory 11, 4th Floor, Main Building, University of Santo Tomas, España Blvd, Sampaloc, Manila, 1008 Metro Manila
