TWO Central Luzon State University (CLSU) faculty members presented pioneering research on agriculture and biology at the 6th University Consortium Faculty Forum (UCFF) held in Putrajaya, Malaysia on Aug. 28 and 29, 2024. Professor Rubigilda Paraguison-Alili of the Crops and Resources, Research and Development Center (CRRDC) presented her research at the "Smart Agriculture and Precision Farming for Resilience and Sustainable Development" session. Professor Garry Benico of the Department of Biological Sciences contributed his expertise to the "Natural Resources, Sustainability and Management" session. An initiative of the Southeast Asian University Consortium or UC for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources, the UCFF brings together academic leaders, researchers and experts from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and Japan. With the theme "Resilience and Adaptation Towards Innovation in Climate Crisis," the event saw the participation of leading academic institutions across Southeast Asia, highlighting the regional collaboration in addressing pressing global challenges. The CLSU StratCom said the contributions of Paraguison-Alili and Benico "underscored the vital role of CLSU in these efforts but also showcased the university's leadership in pioneering research that addresses critical global challenges." Titled "Guardians of the Grain: Advancing Smart Agriculture with Improved Isothermal Amplification-Based Biosensors for Precision Disease Detection and Sustainable Rice Production," Paraguison-Alili's presentation highlighted the development of advanced DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid)-based biosensors designed to detect rice pathogens, particularly rice blast and sheath blight. Supported by the Department of Agriculture-Region 3 and the Philippine Rice Research Institute, her work reflects the university's commitment to enhancing food security and promoting sustainable agricultural practices through technological innovation. Benico's 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 CLSU SCO added that UCFF also fosters collaboration, shares knowledge and develops innovative strategies to address the pressing challenges posed by climate change, providing 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.
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