Students

MS Bio Graduate
Adviser: Dr Lillian Jennifer Rodriguez
Email: glenriquez1@up.edu.ph

I investigated the seed dispersal patterns of water, wind, bird, and bats in the Caliraya Watershed, Laguna. Unraveling these patterns will determine future vegetation assemblage and help inform future restoration efforts. 

MS EnviSci Graduate
Adviser: Dr Carmela Española
Email: vggicaraya@up.edu.ph 

I study the tree cavity preferences and breeding ecology of cavity-nesting birds in Western Luzon. Elucidating individual nest niches can help us improve forest management plans and develop species-specific conservation tools, particularly for our threatened hornbills and parrots.

MS Bio Candidate
Adviser: Dr Carmela Española
Email: rpasumbal@gmail.com 

I am interested in the distribution of amphibians in the Philippines, and the factors that influence them. 

MS Bio Candidate
Adviser: Dr Lillian Jennifer Rodriguez
Email: efgigante@up.edu.ph

I am studying the diversity of ants and their relationships with symbiotic plant species in Palanan, Isabela. 

MS Bio Candidate
Adviser: Dr Carmela Española
Email: adpineda5@up.edu.ph 

I am interested in the population and ecology of venomous snakes in the country. 

MS Bio Candidate
Adviser: Dr Carmela Española
Email: katherine.soriano@bmb.gov.ph 

I am investigating how certain habitat parameters influence the nest selection of large cavity-nesting birds at Subic Watershed Forest Reserve in Zambales. 

MS EnviSci Candidate
Advisers: Dr Carmela Española and Dr Lemnuel Aragones
Email: jsfidelino3@up.edu.ph

I am assessing the distribution of the woodpeckers found in Greater Luzon and determining the biophysical and environmental factors that may have influenced their distribution across three time periods using Species Distribution Modelling (SDM). 

MS Bio Candidate
Adviser: Dr Carmela Española
Email: accalaguing@up.edu.ph

I am primarily interested in investigating the species distribution modeling of the Luzon Bleeding-heart, aiming to reveal highly valuable knowledge regarding its predicted spatial distribution and identifying potential strategies for conservation. 

MS Bio Candidate
Adviser: Dr Carmela Española
Email: ntarellano@up.edu.ph 

I am attempting to predict the suitable habitats of hornbills in Luzon using machine learning techniques. 

MS Bio Candidate
Adviser: Ronniel Pedales
Email: ribucao1@up.edu.ph 

I am studying the succession of fly larvae in corpses and how time and temperature affects their growth in-situ. 

MS Bio Candidate
Adviser: Dr Carmela Española
Email: acalcantara3@up.edu.ph

I am interested in the geographic variation of Philippine bird vocalizations and how it gives insight into their behavior and possible speciation.

MS Bio Candidate
Adviser: Dr Carmela Española
Email: jjsagcal.38@gmail.com

MS Bio Candidate
Adviser: Ronniel Pedales
Email: jpendriga@up.edu.ph

I am interested in the succession patterns of insects in decomposing bodies and how each species interact with one another

MS Bio Candidate
Adviser: Dr Carmela Española
Email: justin.deramos@gmail.com 

MS Bio Candidate
Advisers: Dr. Ian Kendrich Fontanilla & Dr. Gizelle Batomalaque
Email: lcalterado@up.edu.ph

I am currently interested in the molecular phylogenetic relationships of Cyclophorid land snails in the Philippines. Hoping that the use of their genetic data would resolve questions in their taxonomy.

MS Bio Candidate
Adviser: Dr. Lillian Jennifer Rodriguez
Email: jamansibang1@up.edu.ph 

I am currently interested in the taxonomic revision of Luzon Island lipstick vines. This study provides a baseline research on the plant taxonomy, a scaffold which can be further expanded to other understudied plant genera in the Philippines.