The Department of Biology is a recognized Center of Excellence by the Philippine Commission on Higher Education. It currently offers both undergraduate and graduate programs that continuously demonstrate excellent performance in the areas of instruction, research and publication, extension and linkages, and institutional qualifications.
Research Areas
The Department of Biology research thrust focuses on Biodiversity for Medicine and Environment (BioME). Research activities are clustered in three domains, namely: (1) Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, (2) Ecology and Biosystematics, (3) Biomedicine.
The Molecular Biology and Biotechnology research cluster explores the molecular mechanisms in biological processes, focusing on cell biology, genetics, functional genomics and biotechnology. The research in Ecology and Biosystematics focuses on taxonomic, evolutionary and ecological research with a particularly strong focus on aquatic organisms. Basic, applied and translational medical research relevant to the Philippine and global health are tackled in Biomedicine research.
Because of the multidisciplinary nature of modern biology, faculty and students belong to various research groups and projects which span across the three research clusters. The main research groups are: (1) Ateneo Aquatic and Fisheries Laboratory; (2) Ateneo Biodiversity Research Laboratory; (3) Ateneo Food Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology Research Group; (4) Ateneo Parasitology Research Group; (5) Ateneo Functional Genomics and Plant DNA Barcoding Research Group; and (6) Ateneo Wildlife Trade Research and Advocacy Group. Many projects involve collaboration with other units of the School of Science and Engineering and the Loyola Schools. Linkage with other local and international institutions, government and non-government units and community groups provide a strong multidisciplinary and integrated approach in research.
The departmental research is supported by both University and external funding agencies. Applications for grants to fund research are actively pursued by the faculty. Past and current research activities are funded by the Department of Science and Technology, the Commission on Higher Education, the Philippine California Research Initiative, Department of Agriculture, University Research Council, and the Loyola Schools Scholarly Work Faculty Grant and other local and international institutions. The faculty members actively participate in scientific conferences and have their research published in local and international journals, including those indexed in SCOPUS and Clarivate Analytics Web of Science..
Both research and academic learning is supported by several laboratories housed in the Science Education Complex Building B and the Convergent Technologies Center Building. These laboratories provide an adequate environment to carry out teaching and research. The newly installed Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory and Biodiversity Laboratory in the Convergent Technologies Center Building are part of an effort in capacity building to further enhance the quality of research in the department.
Vision
The Department of Biology envisions itself as the premier provider of excellent education and research in biomedical sciences, biotechnology, ecology and systematics, microbiology, molecular biology, and bio-education, applying a holistic, rigorous and innovative approach to the biological sciences. Its alumni become prime movers and leaders in medicine, research, industry, and the academe, working toward nation-building from a Filipino, Catholic, and Jesuit perspective.
Mission
The Department of Biology commits itself to excellence and leadership in undergraduate and graduate programs in the fields of biodiversity, biomedicine, microbiology, molecular biology, and bio-education. It is guided by a dynamic and relevant curriculum that incorporates the strengths of Ateneo tradition and the challenges of the future. As an innovative center of learning, teaching, and research in the life sciences, it is dedicated to serving the University, the country, and all of humanity for the greater glory of God.
