UPLB Agricultural Systems Institute

31/05/2026

"Six Filipino scientists and innovators have been recognized among Asia Scientist Magazine’s Top 100 Researchers for 2026, highlighting the Philippines’ growing contribution to scientific research and innovation in the region. Their achievements span agriculture, mathematics, environmental protection, public health, and aquatic sciences.

The Filipino honorees are Romulo Davide and Marcela Navasero of the University of the Philippines Los Baños, Mary Donnabelle Balela and Aurelio De Los Reyes V of UP Diliman, Garry Benico of Central Luzon State University, and May Anne Mata of UP Mindanao.

Among those recognized are Davide, known as the 'Father of Philippine Nematology,' for his work helping Filipino farmers, and Balela for developing eco-friendly materials to address marine oil spills. Other awardees were honored for their contributions to disease modeling, reproductive health research, pest management, and aquatic biosciences.

The Asia Scientist 100 list honors outstanding researchers, innovators, and academic leaders across the Asia-Pacific region who have made significant contributions to science and society."

6 FILIPINO SCIENTISTS NAMED AMONG ASIA’S TOP 100 RESEARCHERS

Six Filipino scientists and innovators have been recognized among Asia Scientist Magazine’s Top 100 Researchers for 2026, highlighting the Philippines’ growing contribution to scientific research and innovation in the region. Their achievements span agriculture, mathematics, environmental protection, public health, and aquatic sciences.

The Filipino honorees are Romulo Davide and Marcela Navasero of the University of the Philippines Los Baños, Mary Donnabelle Balela and Aurelio De Los Reyes V of UP Diliman, Garry Benico of Central Luzon State University, and May Anne Mata of UP Mindanao.

Among those recognized are Davide, known as the “Father of Philippine Nematology,” for his work helping Filipino farmers, and Balela for developing eco-friendly materials to address marine oil spills. Other awardees were honored for their contributions to disease modeling, reproductive health research, pest management, and aquatic biosciences.

The Asia Scientist 100 list honors outstanding researchers, innovators, and academic leaders across the Asia-Pacific region who have made significant contributions to science and society.

31/05/2026

We often remind graduate students:

Do not plan your PhD forward. Plan it backward.

Starting in the First Semester of AY 2026-2027, all new and shiftee PhD students must fulfill the publication requirement as part of the requirements for graduation. Hence, students need to account for coursework, qualifying and comprehensive examinations, proposal development, ethics review, data collection, analysis, manuscript writing, peer and external reviews, revisions, and unconditional acceptance of a journal article. All of these can take longer than expected.

A common misconception is that the first publication is the entire dissertation. It is not. The first paper is usually just one publishable component of a much larger body of work. While waiting for reviewers and editors, students should continue writing and completing the rest of their dissertation.

TIPS:

➡️ Start writing earlier than you think.
➡️ Do not wait until Year 3 to submit a paper.
➡️ Secure ethics approval before collecting data.
➡️ Submit the first paper at least one year before your intended graduation date.
➡️ Build buffers for ethics review, reviewer delays, and unexpected setbacks.
➡️ Progress on multiple parts of the dissertation in parallel.
➡️ Consult your advisory committee regularly and proactively. Do not wait until problems arise. Maximize their expertise, perspectives, and professional networks to strengthen your research and academic development.

We know this is challenging, but having a plan is better than having none. Progress is rarely accidental. Effective graduate study requires intentional planning and regular reassessment of goals and timelines.

Plan backward. Start early. Stay consistent.

31/05/2026

“Six Filipino scientists and innovators have been included in Asia Scientist Magazine’s Asia Scientist 100 list for 2026, which recognizes outstanding researchers, academicians, innovators, and business leaders across the Asia-Pacific region.

Among those recognized this year were University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) researchers Romulo Davide and Marcela Navasero, University of the Philippines Diliman scientists Mary Donnabelle Balela and Aurelio De Los Reyes V, Central Luzon State University researcher Garry Benico, and University of the Philippines Mindanao scientist May Anne Mata.

Dr. Davide, who was named the Philippines’ 44th National Scientist in 2024, is known for his pioneering work in plant pathology and nematology, particularly his research on plant-parasitic nematodes.

Known as the ‘Father of Philippine Nematology,’ Davide also established the Farmer-Scientist Training Program, which has helped train about 70,000 Filipino farmers nationwide.” 🌽

The six Filipino honorees in this year’s Asia Scientist 100 are (from left) Marcela M. Navasero, May Anne E. Mata, Mary Donnabelle L. Balela, Garry A. Benico, Aurelio A. De Los Reyes V, and Romulo

28/05/2026

𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑺𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 of the ASI Durungawan Seminar Series entitled: “𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬: 𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐧” is presented by 𝗠𝘀. 𝗔𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗲 𝗝𝗮𝗰𝗼𝗯𝘀 and 𝗠𝘀. 𝗦𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗼𝗶𝗮 𝗗𝘂𝗸𝗲𝗿, graduate students from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

26/05/2026

Climate, biodiversity, food systems and livelihoods are deeply connected. Treating them separately is how we got here.

For too long, solutions have been designed in silos.

But landscapes don’t work that way. Forests, farms and people are part of one system.

Real change starts with seeing the connections.

26/05/2026

The Agricultural Systems Institute (ASI), College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños, invites everyone to a 𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑺𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 of the ASI Durungawan Seminar Series entitled: “𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬: 𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐧” to be presented by 𝗠𝘀. 𝗔𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗲 𝗝𝗮𝗰𝗼𝗯𝘀 and 𝗠𝘀. 𝗦𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗼𝗶𝗮 𝗗𝘂𝗸𝗲𝗿, graduate students from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

The seminar will explore the realities and challenges of food security in small island communities in the Philippines through a comparative analysis of Siargao and Batan. The discussion aims to provide insights into the socio-economic, environmental, and agricultural dimensions shaping food systems and livelihoods in island contexts.

📅 Date: 𝟮𝟴 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 (𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆)
🕒 Time: 𝟯:𝟬𝟬 𝗣𝗠-𝟱:𝟬𝟬 𝗣𝗠
📍 Venue: 𝗔𝗦𝗜 𝗟𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗹, 𝗖𝗔𝗙𝗦, 𝗨𝗣𝗟𝗕

Registration: Scan the QR Code on the poster or access the registration link (https://tinyurl.com/asi10for10ep4)

Join us as we engage in meaningful discussions on small island development, sustainability, and food security through interdisciplinary and global perspectives.

20/05/2026

UgNayon, or the AERS 199 Undergraduate Seminar, was successfully conducted at Galvez Hall, Agricultural Systems Institute, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños, on May 18, 2026.

The event gathered students, faculty members, staff, and guests in a scholarly forum highlighting undergraduate research in agricultural extension.

UgNayon continues to provide a platform for undergraduate agricultural extension students to engage in academic discourse, strengthen their confidence in presenting research, and contribute to knowledge development in the field of agricultural extension and rural development.

The successful conduct of the seminar reflects the continuing commitment of the Agricultural Systems Institute to promote academic excellence and strengthen student research engagement.

20/05/2026

𝐒𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐀: 𝐀𝐒𝐘𝐒 𝟏𝟗𝟗 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫 🌱

𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳-𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘴?

Find out as the ASYS 199 Students brings you this semester's undergraduate seminar presentations!

Join our BS Agriculture Major in Agricultural Systems students as they share insights from their field experiences and research studies:

𝗠𝗮. 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗮 𝗗. 𝗨𝗹𝗴𝗮𝘀𝗮𝗻 | Cultivating Knowledge Through Practice: Experiences in an Urban Farm School

𝗠𝗶𝗿𝗮 𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗝. 𝗧𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗯𝗮 | Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment of Farms in a Municipality in Laguna, Philippines

𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗘𝗻𝘇𝗼 𝗖. 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮| Analyzing Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Dynamics in the Context of Philippine Bovine Dairy Farmers

𝗠𝗮. 𝗜𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗲𝗹 𝗕. 𝗡𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀 | Examining the Drivers of a Farming System Transition: A Case Study of a Shift from Monoculture to Permaculture

📅 Date & Time: 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 (𝗪𝗲𝗱) | 𝟮:𝟬𝟬 𝗣𝗠
📍 Venue: 𝗔𝗦𝗜 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝗺 (𝗥𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗔-𝟭𝟭𝟵)

See you all there! 💚

19/05/2026

𝐀𝐒𝐈 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫 | 𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

Good day, ASI interns!

The Agricultural Systems Institute will conduct the 𝐀𝐒𝐈 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟓, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟏𝟎:𝟑𝟎 𝐀𝐌 𝐭𝐨 𝟏𝟐:𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐌 𝐯𝐢𝐚 𝐙𝐨𝐨𝐦.

All interns are required to pre-register to receive the Zoom link.
Register here:
https://forms.gle/UcDdzwCZMmGSYTmT9

You may also scan the QR code in the pubmat.

17/05/2026

1 Day to Go!

Tomorrow marks the much-anticipated UgNayon: AERS 199 Undergraduate Seminar.

Join us on May 18, 2026 | 1:30–4:30 PM at Galvez Hall, University of the Philippines Los Baños.

Our AERS 199 students will be presenting the research and reflections they have developed throughout the semester. UgNayon serves as a platform for sharing ideas, engaging in thoughtful discussions, and celebrating student scholarship.

The event is open to the public and free snacks will be available.

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow!