UPLB CAS Institute of Biological Sciences

07/09/2026

ELEVATING ASSESSMENT: IBS faculty explore creative evaluation and rubric design at "Measuring What Matters"

The Institute of Biological Sciences (IBS) gathered educators on August 24, 2026, at IBSLH Main for "Measuring What Matters: Fresh Approaches to Assessment and Reliable Rubrics", an afternoon dedicated to improving evaluation and academic grading standards.

The seminar commenced with a welcome address from IBS Deputy Director Asst. Prof. Ivy Amor F. Lambio, inspiring attendees to embrace innovative teaching strategies. Attendees participated in two feature sessions. Asst. Prof. Rainier Emerson Kent B. Gonzales introduced various strategies to assess student learning beyond conventional exams. Prof. Aimee Lynn B. Dupo showed how to construct effective rubrics.

IBS Director Prof. Maria Genaleen Q. Diaz then presided over a faculty meeting, before the event wrapped up with departmental updates and certificate presentations for the speakers and contributors.

03/09/2026

Dive deep into the microscopic world and sharpen your taxonomy skills! 🔬✨

The Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences at UPLB proudly presents the Diatom Training Workshop—a comprehensive two-day program focused on the basic concepts and identification of diatoms.

Whether you're looking to advance your research, refine your laboratory skills, or expand your expertise in phycology, this hands-on workshop offers invaluable practical insights.

Secure your slot! Due to limited availability, registrations will be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis. Scan the QR code on the poster to register, or reach out through the contact details below:

Email: [email protected]
Contact Number: 0947-937-8038

26/08/2026

Herpetofauna in Focus

Here are some species and field highlights from our recently concluded Herpetofaunal Survey of the Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve (MMFR) - an enlightening experience on the incredible diversity of our native herpetofauna.

The survey was conducted as part of the Herpetofauna Session of the Training on Wildlife Conservation and Management: Species Identification, Handling, and Management Techniques, in partnership with the DENR-BMB, Institute of Biological Sciences, and UPLB Museum of Natural History. Special thanks to the Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems for supporting field-based learning within the MMFR.

Every species has a story. Every observation is an opportunity to learn. And every encounter reminds us why conservation matters.

Photos by Gab Pineda and JM Zante

19/08/2026

The UPLB CAS Institute of Biological Sciences is currently hosting the Herpetofauna Session of the Training on Wildlife Conservation and Management: Species Identification, Handling, and Management Techniques for participants from the DENR Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB).

For Day 2, participants joined our team in a hands-on identification activity featuring preserved specimens of Philippine amphibians and reptiles at the CAS Annex 1 Building.

Through this activity, participants will gain experience in species identification - an essential skill in wildlife studies, conservation, and management.

Photos by Gab Pineda and JM Zantes

19/08/2026

14/08/2026

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟭𝟮𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗜𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀

Jose Dale L. Viacrucis III earned his BS Biology, major in Plant Biology, and recently completed his MS Botany with a cognate in Chemistry at UPLB. His research interests include plant natural products chemistry, morphoanatomy, and chemotaxonomy, with a particular focus on Philippine members of the Simaroubaceae family.

His work examines the phytochemical diversity of native Ailanthus species and their potential applications in sustainable agriculture and pest management.

𝗟𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲: 𝙀𝙭𝙥𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙋𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚-𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝘼𝙞𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙝𝙪𝙨 𝙎𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙨 𝙋𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙋𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙨

Viacrucis will discuss the bioactivity and phytochemical diversity of Philippine-native Ailanthus species, highlighting their potential as sources of pesticidal compounds for sustainable pest management. His study examines their antioxidant and other biological activities and identifies various phytochemicals linked to insecticidal and plant-defense functions. The findings provide baseline information for further research toward safer and more sustainable alternatives to synthetic agrochemicals.



Text and Art Card: John Paulo S. Quitoriano

06/08/2026

The CAS IBS Microbiology Division and the CAFS IWEP Plant Pathology Division cordially invite students, faculty, researchers, and interested participants to a Joint Special Seminar titled:

𝙎𝙖𝙛𝙚𝙜𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘼𝙜𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙈𝙤𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙧 𝘿𝙞𝙖𝙜𝙣𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙨

🗓 Date: 7 August 2026 (Friday)
🕑 Time: 2:00 PM
📍 Venue: IWEP Auditorium

The seminar will be delivered by Dr. Gem Santillana, Molecular Biologist and Team Lead of the Plant Pathogen Confirmatory Diagnostics Laboratory, Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Join us for an engaging discussion on the vital role of molecular diagnostics in protecting agriculture and natural resources through accurate and timely plant pathogen detection.

We look forward to your participation!

05/08/2026

Insects are increasingly pressured by climate change. Here the authors compile global evidence of range shifts in butterflies and call for more co-ordinated efforts in documenting such trends across countries.

03/08/2026

HAPPENING NOW
The UPLB CAS Institute of Biological Sciences hosts the Training on Wildlife Conservation and Management: Species Identification, Handling, and Management Techniques for participants from the DENR Biodiversity Management Bureau.

This afternoon’s session at the MBB Lecture Hall features hands-on training on arthropod diversity.