CLSU Faculty Members Present Groundbreaking Research at the 6th UC Faculty Forum

Two esteemed faculty members from Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Dr. Rubigilda Paraguison-Alili of the Crops and Resources, Research and Development Center (CRRDC) and Dr. Garry A. Benico of the Department of Biological Sciences, presented their pioneering research at the prestigious 6th University Consortium Faculty Forum (UCFF). The forum, held on August 28-29, 2024, at The Everly Hotel in Putrajaya, Malaysia, focused on the theme "Resilience and Adaptation Towards Innovation in Climate Crisis." This significant event saw participation from leading academic institutions across Southeast Asia, highlighting the regional collaboration in addressing pressing global challenges. Dr. Paraguison-Alili, an expert in smart agriculture, presented in the Session 3: Smart Agriculture and Precision Farming for Resilience and Sustainable Development. Her presentation, titled "Guardians of the Grain: Advancing Smart Agriculture with Improved Isothermal Amplification-Based Biosensors for Precision Disease Detection and Sustainable Rice Production," highlighted the development of advanced DNA-based biosensors designed to detect rice pathogens, particularly rice blast and sheath blight. Her work, supported by the Department of Agriculture - Regional Office III and the Philippine Rice Research Institute, reflects CLSU's commitment to enhancing food security and promoting sustainable agricultural practices through technological innovation. Meanwhile, Dr. Benico, another distinguished faculty member, contributed his expertise in Session 2: Natural Resources, Sustainability and Management. His presentation, titled "Diversity of Potentially Harmful Cyanobacteria in Pantabangan Lake, Nueva Ecija: Implication to Food Security and Ecosystem Services," focused on the identification and monitoring of harmful cyanobacteria species in Pantabangan Lake. His research emphasized the importance of correct species identification and monitoring to safeguard biodiversity and ensure the safety of local food sources, which is crucial for maintaining ecosystem services in the face of environmental challenges. The UCFF is an initiative of the Southeast Asian University Consortium for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources which brings together academic leaders, researchers, and experts from across Southeast Asia, including countries like Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The forum, which fosters collaboration, share knowledge, and develop innovative strategies to address the pressing challenges posed by climate change, provided a valuable platform for the exchange of ideas and the formation of international collaborative networks, furthering the participants' shared goal of advancing resilience and sustainability in agriculture and natural resource management. The contributions of Dr. Paraguison-Alili and Dr. Benico not only underscored the vital role of CLSU in these efforts but also showcased the University's leadership in pioneering research that addresses critical global challenges.