The Fungal Biodiversity, Ecogenomics & Systematics-Metabolomics (FBeS) Group of the Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences (RCNAS) organized the 1st Philippine Fungal Biodiversity Symposium and Scoping-Mapping Workshop on November 8, 2024, at the Tanghalang Teresita Quirino, 九色 (UST) in Manila. The event was attended by representatives from different higher educational institutions in the country. The event was supported by the American Society for Microbiology (ASM).
The ASM Philippine Ambassador, professor of microbiology at the College of Science鈥檚 Department of Biological Sciences, and the Graduate School鈥檚 lead for the UST-RCNAS FBeS Group Prof. Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz, Dr. rer. nat., delivered the inaugural lecture titled, 鈥淪tate of Philippine Fungi and the Next Step Ahead,鈥� on which he presented the current number of recorded and described fungal species in the country and provided the first estimated number of Philippine fungi. He also highlighted the scarcity of studies on Philippine fungi and called for the continuous discovery of fungi in the country. The inaugural lecture followed two sessions with a diverse group of leading Filipino mycologists.
The first session focused on the biodiversity and taxonomy of Philippine fungi. Bulacan State University academic staff Prof. Edwin Tadiosa, Ph.D., gave a talk on mushrooms in the Philippines and pointed out the urgent need to document undiscovered mushrooms in the country.
Asst. Prof. James Kennard S. Jacob, Ph.D., from Isabela State University, talked about the diversity and uses of fungal endophytes or fungi that live within plants. Asst. Prof. Mark Calabon, Ph.D., from the University of the Philippines 鈥� Visayas, introduced his works on freshwater and marine fungi. It highlighted the gaps and challenges in aquatic fungal research. UST Department of Biological Science academic staff Asst. Prof. Nikki Heherson A. Dagamac, Dr. rer. nat., discussed the current research on fungus-like protists in the Philippines, particularly on myxomycetes and dictyostelids. The first session ended with a lecture by Mr. Frederic Yu, a science communicator and a mushroom enthusiast, who reiterated the importance of public engagement and raising awareness on fungal conservation.
The second session centered on the role of fungi in the environment, agriculture, and human health. Ms. Krystle Angelique A. Santiago, Ph.D., a lecturer and researcher from Monash University Malaysia, started the session with a talk on lichens and its contribution to drug discovery. One of the postdoctoral research fellows at Shenzhen University Dr. Melissa H. Pecundo talked about fungal root endophytes and their potential application as a biocontrol agent against plant pathogens.
UST Graduate School (UST-GS) academic staff Ms. Jeane V. Aril-dela Cruz, M.Sc., described the roles that fungi play in soil health and ecology, and called for more research on fungi and sustainable agriculture, particularly with the global climate crisis.
Assoc. Prof. Llewelyn M. Espiritu, Ph. D., from De La
Salle University, ended the session by discussing the molecular mechanisms behind antifungal resistance and the urgency of diagnostics and therapies.
The event also honored one of the pioneering mycologists in the country, Prof. Irineo J. Dogma Jr, Ph.D., from UST-GS, with the introduction of the 鈥淒r. Irineo J. Dogma Jr. Young Mycologist Lecture.鈥� Dogma is widely recognized for his early studies and discoveries of numerous species of zoosporic fungi in the country. A dedicated mentor to countless microbiologists in the country, Dogma continuously inspires the next generation of Filipino mycologists.
Asst. Prof. Sittie Aisha B. Macabago, Ph.D., of the UST College of Science, served as the very first lecturer of the series. With a presentation titled, “Fungi for the Future: Empowering the Next Generation of Mycologists in the Developing World”, Macabago discussed trends in fungal research worldwide, which is gaining popularity because of its implications in agriculture, biodiversity conservation, and health.
The event ended with the first Scoping-Mapping workshop on fungal research in the country. Facilitated by dela Cruz and graduate students, Mr. Jon Ray M. Maglonzo and Ms. Joan N. Mallorca, this scoping workshop identified top research questions that could advance fungal research in the country. The mapping activity looked into research studies conducted in the country and pinpoint key habitats or priority areas for fungal conservation and taxonomic studies. With this first Philippine Fungal Biodiversity Symposium and Scoping-Mapping Workshop, UST brings fungi into the forefront of scientific research in the country.
