PANABO CITY — Biology educators, researchers, and aspiring scientists gathered virtually on August 22 for the 6th Biology Teachers Association of the Philippines–Davao Chapter (BIOTA Davao) Conference, highlighting the role of biology in developing scientific leaders, advancing innovation, and responding to pressing environmental and societal challenges.
Held via Zoom, the conference carried the theme, “Transformative Biology: Cultivating Leaders, Innovators, and Changemakers”. Davao del Norte State College served as co-organizer of the conference, with Dr. Nickel Jean Lagare-Sastine, Dean of the Institute of Advanced Studies, serving as conference chair.
BIOTA Philippines President and University of the Philippines Los Baños Professor, Dr. Aimee Lynn A. Barion-Dupo, delivered the keynote address, on Leading Science in the Era of Triple Planetary Crisis. Dr. Barion-Dupo challenged participants to rethink the role of biologists amid the interconnected challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, emphasizing the need for scientific leadership anchored on innovation, integrity, collaboration, and systems thinking.
The conference also featured plenary discussions designed to strengthen the research and teaching capacities of biology educators and emerging scientists.
Dr. Jerico M. Consolacion of Mindanao State University at Naawan discussed “Designing Scientific Experiments in Applied Biology Classrooms”, focusing on sound experimental design and inquiry-based, evidence-driven investigations as tools for developing scientific thinking and problem-solving among learners. Dr. Edison Roi D. Macusi of Davao Oriental State University tackled “Avoiding Scientific Publication Pitfalls and Predatory Journals”.
Also representing DNSC, Dr. Girley S. Gumanao discussed, “Building Resilient Marine Ecosystems in Mindanao and Beyond”, emphasizing the role of marine science, conservation, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration in protecting marine biodiversity and strengthening coastal ecosystems.
International perspectives were also brought into the conference through the joint presentation of Dr. Antonio Biondi and Dr. Fabrizio Lisi of the University of Catania, Italy, on “International Opportunities for Early Career Biologists and Researchers”. The session highlighted pathways to international graduate studies, fellowships, exchange programs, research collaborations, conferences, and professional networks.
For Dr. Lagare-Sastine, the conference was not simply an avenue for presenting scientific findings but a space for participants to reflect on how science can translate into collective action, “We didn’t gather just to exchange findings. We gathered to ask: what does it take to turn scientific insight into leadership? Change curiosity into innovation? And transform a lab result into real-world change?”
The conference put this idea into practice through its three-minute research pitch, where DNSC researchers emerged as the top three finishers, demonstrating the College’s growing research capacity and its emphasis on communicating science beyond the laboratory.
Denver Jessie L. Estorque clinched first place for the study, “A Dual Approach to Panama Disease: In Vitro Antifungal Activity and In Silico Molecular Docking of Senna Alata Compounds Against FocTR4”. Estorque’s research team included Thessa Angela E. Floro, Maryam A. Salih, Vanro M. Sombilon, Kazumi Hortliano, Lynard Louie D. Cabase, and Criscrire L. Palabrica.
Taking second place was Shayne Vir S. Petras for “Condensix Distiller: Developing an Alternative Simple Distillation Setup for Laboratory Usage”. Co-authors were Jeffenzel Devine P. Rubio, Kym Jershey A. Vellecer, Aleg Jean I. Lamosog, Gwyneth R. Indangan, Emarie L. Añabieza, and Criscrire L. Palabrica.
Francine Jeane F. Cenia secured third place for “Bioefficacy of Panyawan (Tinospora crispa) Stem Extract Against Mealybug (Dysmicoccus brevipes) Infesting Cavendish Banana (Musa acuminata)”. Her co-authors were Justine Robi E. Arniego, Jayson C. Castillo, Ivy Jane T. Garcia, Kristina P. Lauglaug, Oliver S. Payot, and Renell L. Jugarap.
