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Why we’re losing land in the Kalayaan Islands
FEATURED IMAGE: BEACH PROFILING. Researchers from the Geological Oceanography Laboratory use the Emery method to measure beaches in the Kalayaan Island Group. Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Munar. Flooding is not the only problem made worse by the rise of sea-level. Increasing rates of sea-level rise have been reported worldwide, and Manila has long joined the…
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Making waves in the Marine Biotechnology track
Written by Dorothy Andrada There is a wealth of resources found beneath the ocean’s waves, and new breakthroughs in science and technology make it easier for us to use them. Under the Marine Biotechnology track of UP Marine Science Institute’s (UP MSI) MSc and PhD programs, students are taught how to develop the natural products…
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Turning the tide through the Marine Physical Sciences track
Written by Dorothy Andrada The ocean is a force of nature that harbors both powerful currents and calm waves. Understanding its power and how it ebbs and flows is important. Under the Marine Physical Sciences track of UP Marine Science Institute’s (UP MSI) MSc and PhD programs, students are taught how our oceans move: the…
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Diving deep into the Marine Biology track
Written by Dorothy Andrada Fish, corals, and seaweed are what usually come to mind when one thinks of the sea. The vibrant biodiversity beneath the waves is a core part of any ocean, and understanding this is a major field of study in marine science. Under the Marine Biology track of UP Marine Science Institute’s…
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A world without color: the bleached soft corals of Bolinao
Featured Photo: Bleached Sclerophytum sp. (previously identified as Sinularia) Deep in the throes of a global pandemic, the Philippines of 2020 was no stranger to death. Through her research, soft coral scientist Christine Baran found how true this was for our ever-warming reefs as well. Published in Marine Biology Research last May 2023, “Genus and…
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The Marine Science Institute’s first 50 years
(with excerpts from “A Vignette MSI@30” by National Scientist Edgardo D. Gomez, in italics) Marine Science Center The Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines (UP) approved, on 28 March 1974, the charter of the Marine Sciences Center (MSC), a multidisciplinary research unit that was to serve the university at large. A newly…
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Homes for the Holothurians: Optimizing sea cucumber management strategies through biophysical modeling
By. Mia N. Judicpa & Gabrielle A. Abrahan As the gastronomic demand for our marine resources grows, our natural stock can barely keep up. Luckily, ecology experts work with modellers to explore different approaches in preserving the biodiversity of our oceans. In this feature, we take a look at how computational science can help us…
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UP MSI 2019 – 2021 Report: Science, Leadership, and Community
From all the expeditions to the growing partnerships, the Institute is proud of everything it has achieved in the last 3 years. But more than the numbers, these figures represent the hard work that has been done since the beginning by every scientist, researcher, and staff member. Ultimately, the goal is to pursue science in…
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Fishing in a Vortex: How ocean currents affect biological productivity
By. Mia N. Judicpa & Gabrielle A. Abrahan Around four months a year, we experience a respite from our tropical climate when the weather starts to chill. During Christmas, we wear thick clothes as winds from Siberia and China descend upon our mornings and bring with them good — and cold — tidings. These winds prevail during…
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In Full Bloom: Predicting HAB events using A.I.
By. Mia N. Judicpa & Gabrielle A. Abrahan, MSI Contributors In 1983, many inhabitants of Samar, Masbate, Sorsogon, and even Western Visayas were gripped by symptoms like tingling, numbness, and nausea. Almost 300 cases of food poisoning were reported. The culprit was eventually identified to be the dinoflagellate Pyrodinium bahamense that affected green mussels in Maqueda Bay…
