March 17, 2025
ParSU welcomes back Dr. Rafe M. Brown, a distinguished Fulbright Visiting Scholar and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology professor at the University of Kansas (KU), who will spend five months conducting research and serve as an adjunct professor at ParSU College of Sustainable Communities and Ecosystems (Caramoan Campus).ย
Accompanied by Dianna Kresja (KU Mammalogy Collection Manager), Vicente de Jesus Castilla Chora (National Autonomous University of Mexico, Graduate Studies), Bailey Dixon and Chase Perkins (KU Post-Baccalaureate Students), and Danny Ibanez (KU Graduate Student), Dr. Brown will engage in collaborative research on biodiversity, conservation, and amphibian and reptile taxonomy in the Bicol Region. The team, together with selected faculty and staff of ParSU Caramoan, is set to have a two-week scientific expedition to conduct a biodiversity survey in Mt. Isarog Natural Park and Caramoan National Park, where they will have the chance to explore and gain potential discoveries.ย
With this, ParSU President Arnel B. Zarcedo, EDEL, emphasized the significance of this activity in nurturing, reinforcing, and deepening partnerships that already brought immense value to the university. He then reminded everyone to take this as an opportunity for shared learning, exploration, and growth. " Let us advance together in pursuing academic excellence, meaningful collaboration, and international partnership." he ended.
Moving forward, ParSU Vice President for Academic Affairs and Concurrent Dean of ParSU Caramoan Dr. Michael A. Clores presented the academic collaboration agenda which aims to strengthen research collaboration, enhance biodiversity studies, capacitate the ParSU community with training and workshops, promote conservation initiatives, facilitate academic and scientific publications, support student research and development, and strengthen institutional partnerships. Dr. Clores then highlighted that this continuous engagement with KU is essential to the university's vision to take ParSU to greater heights internationally. ย
On a different note, Dr. Brown expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and displayed enthusiasm to meet students and enlighten the latter, especially about those covered by his field of expertise. He then encouraged everyone to make this an interdisciplinary collaboration to attain a more sustainable community. ย
As ParSU withstands this another milestone, it looks forward to the advancements Dr. Brown and his team will bring to the ParSU community. Through a shared vision, collaboration, and consistency, ParSU stays positive that it will continue to provide quality education, advance in bio-resource science, and promote sustainable and resilient communities that will be known globally.ย
See more: https://tinyurl.com/4tt7uj5m
