MSU - IIT: Environmental Science Graduate Students' Society

20/10/2026

🌿🌎 𝐆𝐎𝐓 𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒? 𝐖𝐄’𝐕𝐄 𝐆𝐎𝐓 𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐒! 💚

Curious about our 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺? We've got you covered!

Check out our 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗔𝘀𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 (𝗙𝗔𝗤𝘀) to learn more about the program and admission requirements. ✨

15/10/2026

📢 **CALL FOR APPLICATIONS | 2ND SEMESTER, AY 2026–2027** 🎓

Dream of pursuing your graduate studies and advancing your research? This is your opportunity to become a **DOST-ASTHRDP Scholar!** 🔬✨

The Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) is now inviting applications for the **DOST-ASTHRDP Scholarship** for the **2nd Semester, Academic Year 2026–2027**.

📚 **Eligible Programs:**
🔹 MS and PhD Biology
🔹 MS and PhD Chemistry
🔹 MS and PhD Marine Biology/Marine Science
🔹 MS and PhD Mathematics
🔹 MS and PhD Physics
🔹 MS and PhD Statistics
🔹 MS and PhD Environmental Science

📅 **Deadline of Submission: November 15, 2026**

📍 **Submit your application to:**
MSU-IIT, CSM Accreditation Office

📲 Scan the QR code on the poster or visit **bit.ly/ASTHRDP** for the application form and complete list of requirements.

📌 **Important Reminder:** Applicants must first be admitted to an eligible graduate program at MSU-IIT before applying for the DOST-ASTHRDP Scholarship.

For inquiries, please contact:
📧 [email protected]

✨ **Be a DOST-ASTHRDP Scholar! Advance your research. Build your future. Your Research Matters!**

15/10/2026

𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓

"Airborne microplastics and associated heavy metal contamination in indoor and outdoor environments: Pollution levels and health risks in Metro Manila, Philippines" published in 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞, October 2026.

Authors:
𝗝𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝗲 𝗕. 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼, Rodolfo A. Romarate II, Najiha B. Amer, Shinji Takahashi, Chihiro Inoue, Mei-Fang Chien, Kozo Watanabe, and Hernando P. Bacosa

This study investigates airborne microplastics and their associated heavy metal contamination in indoor and outdoor environments across Metro Manila, Philippines. Using micro–Fourier transform infrared (μFTIR) spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), the researchers characterized microplastic abundance, morphology, polymer composition, and associated metal concentrations across six paired indoor and outdoor sampling sites. The findings revealed that fibers dominated the recovered microplastics, with polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyethylene (PE) among the prevalent polymers. Although indoor environments exhibited higher average microplastic concentrations than outdoor environments, the difference was not statistically significant. Metal concentrations varied considerably across sites, with notable contributions from zinc, copper, barium, lead, and silver. Risk assessments indicated low-to-moderate non-carcinogenic inhalation risks, with children potentially experiencing greater exposure than adults. These findings highlight the importance of understanding microplastic-associated contaminants in everyday environments and underscore the need for further research on airborne microplastics and their potential implications for human health.

Access th full article here:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2026.145121

14/10/2026

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 | 𝟮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝗔𝗬 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲-𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳

Are you passionate about environmental research, sustainability, and making a positive impact on our planet? 🌱

Take your academic and research journey to the next level! Applications are now open for the Master of Science (MS) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs in Environmental Science.

📢 Apply now and be one of us, Bugsay Enbaysay!

12/10/2026

𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓

"Understanding the Forest Structure of a Planted and Natural Mangrove Forest: the case of Zamboanga Sibugay, Philippines" published in 𝐀𝐀𝐂𝐋 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐱

Authors:
𝑬𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒂𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒉 𝑩. 𝑸𝒖𝒊𝒋𝒂𝒏𝒐, 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒍 𝑳. 𝑺. 𝑫𝒂𝒈𝒐𝒄, 𝑷𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑫. 𝑺𝒖𝒔𝒐𝒏, 𝑩𝒓𝒚𝒂𝒏 𝑳. 𝑩𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒐𝒔, 𝑾𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒂 𝑻. 𝑻𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒍

This study compares the stand structure, species composition, diversity, and regeneration patterns of natural and planted mangrove forests in selected sites in Zamboanga Sibugay. Using the line-quadrat plot method, the researchers found that the natural mangrove forest in Siay had higher species diversity, a more balanced zonal distribution, and better regeneration structure than the planted forest in Naga. In contrast, the planted forest had lower diversity, no seedlings, and was dominated by Rhizophora mucronata Poir, indicating a simplified community structure shaped by species selection in reforestation activities. These findings suggest that natural stands show greater structural complexity and regeneration capacity. The study recommends that mangrove restoration in Zamboanga Sibugay prioritize site-suitable native species, natural recruitment, hydrological recovery, and long-term ecological monitoring to improve restoration effectiveness.

Access the full article here:
https://doi.org/10.67784/0072

12/10/2026

𝘌𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯!

The DES community proudly celebrates 𝐃𝐫. 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨 𝐏. 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐚 for being named among the 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝟐% 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲–𝐄𝐥𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐩𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐍𝐞𝐭 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠! 🌍🔬

𝗔𝘀 𝗮 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝘆𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆, this remarkable distinction is a testament to Dr. Bacosa's 𝘂𝗻𝘄𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆, 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆.

May this milestone inspire even greater discoveries and continued contributions to the advancement of science and society.
Congratulations on this well-deserved international recognition! Your dedication to research continues to make an impact beyond borders! 🎉👏

12/10/2026

𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓

"Exploring local ecological knowledge on Asian horseshoe crabs (Order: Xiphosura) in Sulu Province, Philippines" published on September 2026 in the 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

Authors:
𝑵𝒆𝒍𝒔𝒆𝒊𝒏 𝑨. 𝑳𝒂𝒈𝒖𝒔, 𝑺𝒂𝒍𝒉𝒂 𝑼. 𝑨𝒎𝒊𝒍, 𝑰𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒆 𝑹. 𝑷𝒆𝒅𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒂-𝑮𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒎𝒊𝒐 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑾𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒂 𝑻. 𝑻𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒍

We are pleased to share this contribution to the growing body of research on marine biodiversity and conservation. This study explores local ecological knowledge (LEK) of Asian horseshoe crabs in Sulu Province, Philippines, documenting local observations, utilization, harvesting practices, and conservation concerns through semi-structured interviews with key informants. The findings identified Tachypleus tridentatus and Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda as the two reported species in the area, with 80% of respondents recalling sightings from at least seven years ago. Horseshoe crabs were primarily used for medicinal purposes, particularly in relation to kabus (premature babies), while both intentional harvesting and incidental capture were reported. Notably, respondents indicated the absence of active conservation programs and responsible authorities for these species in the region. These findings provide baseline information on horseshoe crabs in Sulu and underscore the need for localized conservation initiatives, community engagement, and improved monitoring to support their long-term protection in the Philippines.

Access the full article here:
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/2515-7620/aea817

12/10/2026

We are immensely proud to celebrate 𝐃𝐫. 𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐢 𝐆. 𝐓𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐬, our very own Professor from the Department of Environmental Science, for being named the 2026 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐄𝐒𝐀𝐌 𝐀𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐧𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧!

She received this prestigious honor during the "𝑳𝑬𝑨𝑫𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑵𝑮𝑬: 2026 𝑺𝑬𝑺𝑨𝑴 𝑨𝑳𝑼𝑴𝑵𝑰 𝑯𝑶𝑴𝑬𝑪𝑶𝑴𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑺𝒀𝑴𝑷𝑶𝑺𝑰𝑼𝑴 𝑯𝑶𝑵𝑶𝑹𝑺 𝑬𝑿𝑪𝑬𝑳𝑳𝑬𝑵𝑪𝑬 𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑺𝑬𝑹𝑽𝑰𝑪𝑬!" held last October 9, 2026 at the NCAS Auditorium, UPLB, in celebration of the 108𝐭𝐡 𝐔𝐏𝐋𝐁 𝐋𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐧𝐢 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠.

Later that same day, she was further honored at the 108𝐭𝐡 𝐔𝐏𝐋𝐁𝐀𝐀 𝐀𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐧𝐢 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲, held at 3:00 PM at the 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥, 𝐔𝐏 𝐋𝐨𝐬 𝐁𝐚ñ𝐨𝐬.

This award is a testament to Dr. Torres' outstanding contributions to academic excellence, strategic leadership, and dedicated public service in the field of environmental science. She brings immense honor not only to her alma mater, the UPLB School of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM), but also to the entire MSU-IIT community.

12/10/2026

𝘌𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯!

The DES community proudly celebrates 𝐃𝐫. 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨 𝐏. 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐚 for being named among the 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝟐% 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲–𝐄𝐥𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐩𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐍𝐞𝐭 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠! 🌍🔬

𝗔𝘀 𝗮 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝘆𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆, this remarkable distinction is a testament to Dr. Bacosa's 𝘂𝗻𝘄𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆, 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆.

May this milestone inspire even greater discoveries and continued contributions to the advancement of science and society.

Congratulations on this well-deserved international recognition! Your dedication to research continues to make an impact beyond borders! 🎉👏

MSU-IIT scientists world domination! 🧑‍🔬

We are extremely proud of Dr. Hernando Bacosa and Dr. Carlito Tabelin for being among the Top 2% Scientists 2026 in the Stanford University-Elsevier TopSciNet global ranking!

Dr. Bacosa specializes in Marine Biology and Hydrobiology, while Dr. Tabelin’s field of expertise is in Environmental Sciences. Both have not only proven their excellence in classroom teaching but also produced significant scholarly works dedicated to protecting the environment and building a sustainable future for all.

MSU-IIT proudly supports and empowers our homegrown scientists as they continue to advance innovation and address critical global challenges.

11/10/2026

𝐌𝐒𝐔-𝐈𝐈𝐓 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐉𝐒𝐏𝐒 𝐒𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐉𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧 🇯🇵

On October 6–7, 2026, Ehime University, Japan, hosted the JSPS Core-to-Core Symposium on One Health Approaches to Chemical Risk Management, bringing together researchers to discuss chemical risks and their implications for environmental and public health.

Representing the Department of Environmental Science, 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼 𝗣. 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗼𝘀𝗮 delivered an oral presentation titled “Microplastics, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), Heavy Metals, and Microorganisms in the Air and Road Dust in Major Urban Areas in the Philippines.”

MS students 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗝. 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘁 and 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗥. 𝗟𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗱 showcased their research through poster presentations. Ms. Balabat presented her study on bacterial communities and metal associations in urban road dust, while Mr. Lumacad presented his research on heavy metals associated with marine plastic litter in southern Philippine seagrass meadows.

Also participating in the symposium were MSU-IIT Environmental Science alumnae currently pursuing their PhD studies in Japan. 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗗. 𝗢𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗲 and 𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗡𝗶𝗸𝗸𝗶 𝗛𝗶𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗻 of Ehime University delivered oral and poster presentations, while 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗝𝗼𝘆 𝗠. 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻 of Tohoku University presented a poster.