UP Institute of Biology

22/09/2026

CALL FOR MS/PHD BIOLOGY STUDENTS!

Dr. Chung-Wing Ko is looking for a motivated Masters or PhD student from the College of Science to fill a vacant University Research Associate (URA 1) position in an NSRI-funded research project.

Project Duration: Jan - Dec 2027
Topics: Soil nutrient cycling, root functional traits, and soil microbial communities.

This is a comprehensive opportunity covering fieldwork, labwork, and manuscript publication, ideal for a thesis or dissertation project. The specific topic of focus is flexible and will be based on the student's research interests.

Check out the poster below for full details on responsibilities and required actions.

TO APPLY: Please email your CV to [email protected]
DEADLINE: September 27.

22/09/2026

The Institute of Biology congratulates Josfred J. Riva for bagging the Best MS Oral Presenter Award in the Biological and Health Sciences Category at the 14th ASTHRDP Graduate Students' Conference in Iloilo City, last September 17-18, 2026, as well as the entire UP Diliman Team for securing 2nd Place in the Fellowship Night Competition! Thank you for representing the Institute and the university with honor and academic excellence! Your IB is immensely proud of your outstanding achievements!

18/09/2026

The Institute of Biology is proud to share that our very own Dr. Windell L. Rivera will be the Keynote Speaker at the 33rd Annual Regional Convention and Scientific Meeting of the Philippine Society for Microbiology – Visayas Regional Chapter!

The countdown to the 33rd Annual Regional Convention and Scientific Meeting of the Philippine Society for Microbiology – Visayas Regional Chapter officially begins! 🎉

With just one month to go, let’s start the countdown by introducing our

🌟 𝐊𝐄𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 🌟

Dr. Windell L. Rivera is a Professor at the Institute of Biology, UP Diliman, Executive Director of the Philippine Genome Center, and an Academician of the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL). Dr. Rivera has built an extensive research career in molecular diagnostics and epidemiology, molecular protozoology, applied bacteriology, medical biotechnology, pathogen genomics, antimicrobial resistance, and environmental microbiology. His research has contributed significantly to the understanding and detection of medically important microorganisms and infectious diseases.

His work has earned numerous national and international recognitions, including the Outstanding Young Scientist Award, The Outstanding Young Men Award, PSM Outstanding Microbiologist Award, NRCP Achievement Award in the Biological Sciences, and the UPAA Distinguished Alumnus in Science and Technology Award. He has also been recognized among the Top 2% of researchers worldwide.

Get ready to be inspired as Dr. Rivera highlights the power of microbial science to build a greener, healthier, and more sustainable future! 🌏🦠✨

Register Here:
https://tinyurl.com/4s28ydth

📅 October 15–16, 2026
📍 Acacia Hotel, Bacolod City

LIKE & FOLLOW the official PSM Visayas page for more announcements, speaker reveals, program updates, and exciting activities!

16/09/2026

Institute of Biology researchers led by Ram Julius L. Marababol and Dr. Windell L. Rivera, have uncovered a critical finding in urban disease ecology: the first-ever Philippine genome of a globally rare Leptospira species, isolated directly from the soil of Estero de Paco in Metro Manila. Published alongside the Philippine Genome Center, the research reveals that Leptospira bacteria are evenly distributed across soil and water throughout the entire estero, rather than isolated to specific contamination hotspots.

First-ever Philippine genome of a globally rare Leptospira species, pulled straight from the soil of an ordinary Manila estero, forces a rethink of where flood-season infection risk actually livesMANILA, PHILIPPINES — Leptospirosis is one of the Philippines’ most persistent and least talked-abou...

15/09/2026

The Institute of Biology cordially invites the UP Diliman community and interested attendees to the MS Thesis Examination of MS in Microbiology student Riyu E. Kusuda. The presentation, titled "Shifts in the Metagenomic Profile of Poultry Manure After Simulated Farm-Drying," will take place on September 22, 2026, at 1:30 PM in IB 203 and online via Zoom. The defense features Dr. Ivan Christian V.J. Imperial as Thesis Adviser, Dr. Marie Christine M. Obusan as Thesis Reader, alongside Dr. Davin Edric V. Adao and Dr. Jhoirene B. Clemente serving as Thesis Examiners. Interested individuals are welcome to attend directly at the venue, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Zoom link registration: https://up-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/099fQ4YWRnOtzKAg2NB1BA #/registration

03/09/2026

Update: The seminar below will now be held in a hybrid format. To join online via Zoom, please register in advance using the link below. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
https://up-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/kmwQ2x0fTOSNWmaZCbYpsQ

01/09/2026

Learn to capture high-detail specimens and field photographs using any camera you already own. Join "Exploring Macrophotography: From Camera to Smartphone," a practical workshop on close-up imaging techniques for biological specimens, textures, and field samples.

Presented by Mus3o (DOST-NAIRA) in collaboration with MESLab and the UPD Institute of Biology.

🗓️ Date: September 21, 2026
⏰ Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 Venue: Room 117, Institute of Biology, UP Diliman
✨ FREE registration!
⚠️ Limited slots only:
• 20 slots for students
• 10 slots for faculty/ research staff

What you will learn:
• Camera manual controls, focus locking, and lighting techniques for micro-subjects
• Practical methods for specimen documentation in the lab and field
• Guided hands-on shooting session with sample subjects

About Mus3o:
Mus3o is DOST-NAIRA's AI-enabled heritage digitization R&D project. Using computer vision, high-detail imaging, and novel view synthesis techniques, the project creates accurate 3D reconstructions of physical specimens and artifacts for research, education, and conservation.

Registration here: https://surl.li/uguzjx

22/08/2026

The Institute of Biology invites all interested students to attend the UP Association of Biology Majors (UP ABM) Applicants Orientation on September 12, 2026.

Are you ready to go beyond the ordinary? ☁️✨

Unravel your curiosity and discover what lies beyond. It’s your time to join and move in a world where we don’t just study life, we live it! 🐚

🧬 UP ABM: Applicants Orientation
🗓️ September 12, 2026 (Saturday)
📍Institute of Biology

Come with UP ABM! Sign up now to learn more
🔗 https://tinyurl.com/CH51SignUps
🔗 https://tinyurl.com/CH51SignUps
🔗 https://tinyurl.com/CH51SignUps




Caption by: Em Rojas
Pubmat by: Michelle Longno

21/08/2026

The Institute of Biology invites everyone to a Special Seminar on September 4, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM in Room 203, featuring visiting faculty from the Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST). Prof. Yasumasa Bessho will present "Valproic Acid Induces Axial Skeleton Anomaly via Perturbation of the Somite Segmentation Clock," followed by Assoc. Prof. Min Fey Chek, who will deliver back-to-back talks on "Structural Insights into Polyhydroxyalkanoate Synthase, a Biodegradable Plastic-Synthesizing Enzyme" and an "Introduction to NAIST, a Research-Oriented Postgraduate-Only National University in Japan." Moderated by Prof. Gil M. Penuliar, this event is open to all interested individuals on a first-come, first-served basis.

21/08/2026

The Institute of Biology invites everyone to the MS Thesis Proposal Presentation of Jacklyn Fe J. Tolentino, titled "Metagenomic Analysis of Bivalve Assemblages and Microbial Communities in Selected Mangrove Ecosystems of Oriental Mindoro, Philippines." Guided by Thesis Advisers Dr. Severino G. Salmo and Dr. Marie Christine M. Obusan with Dr. Ma. Elisa Gerona-Daga as Thesis Reader, the presentation will be held on August 28, 2026, at 1:00 PM in IB 203 and via Zoom. Interested individuals may proceed directly to the venue, where seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Zoom Link Registration: https://up-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/75GBTZL0TnKzNxtB4WZQ7Q #/registration