Research Statement

My research focuses on advancing environmental sustainability through the study of water systems, ecosystem management, and biodiversity conservation in the Philippines. It integrates interdisciplinary approaches to address challenges related to water security, pollution, and sustainable resource use, with increasing emphasis on circular economy principles.

A major component of my work examines groundwater and freshwater systems. Through initiatives such as the Philippine Groundwater Health Index, I have developed tools for assessing water quality and ecosystem health, contributing to improved water conservation and management strategies.

I also investigate emerging environmental issues, particularly microplastic pollution in aquatic systems, including subterranean environments. My research examines its distribution, ecological impacts, and implications for sustainable waste management within a circular economy framework, with particular attention to how microplastics affect the health, population structure, and resilience of aquatic organisms.

In parallel, my research on cave and freshwater biodiversity in the Philippines examines ecosystem functioning and conservation in environmentally sensitive systems. I focus on cave-dwelling organisms such as cave fishes and cave crabs, investigating their taxonomy, population structure, and adaptive traits in extreme, resource-limited environments. By integrating morphological, molecular, and environmental DNA (eDNA) approaches, I aim to resolve species boundaries, detect cryptic diversity, and improve biodiversity monitoring in understudied subterranean habitats.

Additionally, I explore cave thermal spring extremophiles, focusing on microbial communities that thrive in extreme environments. These systems provide insights into metabolic adaptation, evolutionary processes, and biogeochemical cycling, while expanding our understanding of life under environmental extremes.

My research is supported by international collaborations and funded projects, and I actively engage with stakeholders to translate findings into policy and practice. Through an integrative framework that combines field surveys, molecular tools, ecological assessment, and sustainability science, my work contributes to the conservation and sustainable management of freshwater and cave ecosystems in the Philippines, linking biodiversity conservation with broader environmental and societal goals.

Past Research Work

Research Interests, Projects and Other Activities

I am interested in aquatic and cave ecology, phylogeny, biogeography and taxonomy of aquatic animals, environmental management and sustainability

Equipment Designs

Cave Expeditions and Discoveries