4 GeneSoc members won outstanding thesis awards in 2024

During the Institute of Biological Sciences Testimonials 2024, held on July 31, 2024 at the NCAS Auditorium, three GeneSoc members from BS Biology were distinguished and awarded for their outstanding undergraduate theses. One of the recipients is Ivien Prinze F. Fetalino (Reprimo), a Genetics major. The other two are Systematics majors, Justin Gabriel J. Badlis (Crypton) and Brian Alfred V. Mortera (Crypton).

Ivien Prince F. Fetalino, recipient of IBS Best Undergraduate Thesis for Genetics 2024.

Fetalino’s undergraduate research entitled “Promoter Motif Analysis and CpG Island Detection of Putative Bidirectional Promoters from Cocos nucifera L. ‘Catigan Green Dwarf’ (Arecaceae)” won the 2024 IBS Best Undergraduate Thesis Award for Genetics. Her thesis lays foundation for the establishment of a position-specific scoring matrix (PSSM) database that can be utilized for analysis of various palm promoters and also serve as a reference for future expression studies with the characterized ‘Catigan Green Dwarf’ (CATD) putative bidirectional promoters. She graduated as Cum Laude.

Both Badlis and Mortera bagged 1st Place and 2nd Place, respectively, in the 2024 Gantimpalang Adelina A. Barrion for Outstanding Theses in Systematic Biology. Mortera specialized in plants with Pinanga spp. as his taxon for his thesis, while Badlis delved into studying Tetramorium ants.

Brian Alfred V. Mortera, 2nd Place winner of Gantimpalang Adelina A. Barrion for Outstanding Theses in Systematic Biology 2024.

The title of Mortera’s thesis was “Systematic Fruit Morpho-anatomy of Selected Pinanga spp. (Arecaceae) from the Philippines.” In this study, he was able to systematically examine 18 species of Pinanga (16 native, 2 introduced) found in the Philippines and construct phenograms for analysis. His research enriches and fills in the gaps in the current knowledge on the natural relationships of the Philippine Pinanga by integrating often-overlooked traits, such as the fruit pericarp composition, thus improving species delimitation. Mortera finished his degree with Latin honors as Cum Laude.

Justin Gabriel J. Badlis, recipient of IBS Best Undergraduate Thesis for Systematics 2024 and first placer in another two thesis awards.

On the other hand, Badlis’ undergraduate thesis was “Ants of the Genus Tetramorium Mayr, 1885 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Selected Caves and Environs in Tayabas City, Quezon, Philippines.” He was able to taxonomically study seven species of Tetramorium ants, three of which came from inside the caves, and constructed a key to the Tetramorium species found in caves and environs in Tayabas, Quezon. In his work, he also described a potential new species for this genus of ants. Moreover, Badlis’ research also bagged the 1st Place in the 2024 IBS Gawad Karangalan for Outstanding Theses in Ecology and Field Biology and, ultimately, the 2024 IBS Best Undergraduate Thesis Award for Systematics. Justin graduated as Magna Cum Laude.

Hanz Benedict B. Aguilar, 3rd Place winner of IBS Best Undergraduate Thesis for Wildlife Biology 2024 (Photo courtesy of Animal Biology Division).

Later that same day, the Animal Biology Division Testimonials 2024 also took place at CAS Gallery 2, wherein Hanz Benedict B. Aguilar (Ikirara) from the BS Biology Major in Wildlife Biology program was awarded for his thesis. His work entitled “Morpho-Geometric and Behavioral Sexual Characterization of the ex situ-managed Philippine Forest Turtle, Siebenrockiella leytensis (Taylor 1920), in Avilon Zoo, Rodriguez, Rizal” ranked 3rd Place in the 2024 IBS Best Undergraduate Thesis for Wildlife Biology. Aguilar observed a total of 46 individual Philippine Forest Turtles for their behavioral patterns within specified time frames, which led him to create an ethogram. According to his research, this is the first ethogram developed for the Philippine Forest Turtle. His work supplements the current knowledge about the biology of the Philippine Forest Turtle and contributes to the conservation management of these critically endangered endemic species. He graduated as Magna Cum Laude.

These GeneSoc members’ exemplary recognitions brought pride both to the organization and to the university. The organization is very much proud and grateful for their accomplishments. As Genes, they served as a true testament to the organization’s commitment to reaching new heights in multidisciplinary contributions to scientific research and exploring understudied areas across the fields of science.