In observance of the International Women’s Month, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) proudly recognizes the achievements of the empowered alumni of the Graduate Research and Education Assistantship for Technology (GREAT) program. These remarkable women are driving innovation and making significant contributions to the AANR sector, embodying the spirit of the sub-theme of the 2025 National Women’s Month Celebration (NWMC): “Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor, Aangat ang Bukas sa Bagong Pilipinas.”
Established in 2017, the GREAT program has fostered female leadership in AANR research by providing technical and financial support to 57 female scholars.
Dr. Katrina S. Luzon, Coral Biologist
Dr. Katrina S. Luzon is a Coral Biologist and a researcher at De La Salle University's Br. Alfred Shields Ocean Research (SHORE) Center. She is also part of the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute. Under the GREAT Scholarship Program, she earned her doctoral degree in Biology in 2023.
Her dissertation, "Exceptional Reefs of Palawan: Anthropogenic Extinction, Reef Refuge Areas Under Climate Change, and Priority Species for Conservation," identified key coral species and reef areas vulnerable to environmental pressures, emphasizing those requiring urgent protection.
She is the editor-in-chief of "A Handbook of Protocols for the Conduct of Reef Assessments in the Philippines," which received the National Academy of Science and Technology Outstanding Book Award in 2024. Funded through a DOST-PCAARRD project, the handbook provides essential guidelines for reef assessments in the Philippines.
Blair Ann L. Adora, Agricultural Research Specialist
Ms. Blair Ann L. Adora is a Senior Science Research Specialist at the Department of Agriculture-Region 9. She is leading the agency's mango research initiatives as the Station Superintendent. In December 2019, she earned her Master of Science (MS) degree in Plant Pathology at the University of the Philippines Los Baños through the GREAT Scholarship Program. She specializes in the identification and management of fungal diseases among rubber tree leaves that are grown outside common rubber-producing regions.
A pioneering GREAT alumna, Ms. Adora is the recipient of the first GREAT re-entry grant in 2022. Her research, "Management of White Root Rot using Endophytic fungi from the Healthy Roots of Rubber," garnered her the Best Research Paper award at the DOST in-house review in 2024. She was further recognized with the Best Paper award under the Research Category at the 2024 Regional Symposium on Research and Development Highlights in Zamboanga City.
Dr. Ronalie Rafael, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Ronalie B. Rafael is an Associate Professor V at the College of Veterinary Science and Medicine of the Central Luzon State University. Through the GREAT Scholarship Program, she took a MS in Veterinary Medicine, major in Microbiology at UPLB to further her expertise. She focused on developing wet and dry format RT-LAMP assays for the detection of Philippine Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) field strains.
Dr. Rafael's GREAT re-entry project, "Pre-commercialization of Probiotics and Prebiotics from Onion Wastes for Tilapia Culture," demonstrated her commitment to sustainable agriculture by transforming onion waste into valuable probiotics and prebiotics that enhance tilapia production and expand their use in other animal species.
In February 2024, she was elected as the Chairperson of the Philippine Veterinary Medical Association’s (PVMA) Council on Continuing Professional Education during the 91st PVMA National Convention and Scientific Conference. She also holds the post as secretary of the Veterinary Education Research, one of the working groups of the Asian Association of Veterinary Schools.
Dr. Rafael is currently pursuing a PhD in Veterinary Science at Chiang Mai University in Thailand, under the DOST-Science Education Institute’s Foreign Graduate Scholarship Program.
Nadine B. Coronado, Plant Physiologist and Conservation Specialist
Ms. Nadine B. Coronado is an advocate of plant conservation with her notable contribution in the maintenance of Zingiberaceae accessions at the Institute of Crop Science field genebank and the conservation of priority species within the ecologically critical Samar Island Natural Park. She is a proud faculty member of the Institute of Biological Sciences at UPLB.
She earned her Master’s degree in Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Management in January 2023 under the GREAT Scholarship Program. Her outstanding academic achievement was recognized with the Academic Excellence Award, which was presented to the MS graduate who achieved the highest grade weighted average among all graduates of the UPLB Graduate School.
Ms. Coronado's MS degree research, "Phenotypic and Genotypic Profiling of Selected Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) Morphotypes from the Philippines," significantly advanced the understanding and utilization of turmeric. By characterizing and evaluating various turmeric morphotypes, she identified potential germplasm with high yield and curcumin content, contributing valuable insights for medicine, economics, and ethnobotany.
Dara Clarisse Mae L. Barile, Development Communicator
Ms. Dara Clarisse Mae L. Barile advances AANR through the art and science of communication. She is an Assistant Professor at the UPLB College of Development Communication. Her research interests include agricultural communication, communication for animal welfare, and media studies for development. She finished her Bachelor of Science in Development Communication (DevCom) as Cum Laude.
The GREAT Scholarship Program supported her in finishing her MS in Development Communication in January 2024. She is also a recipient of the UPLB Academic Achievement Award.
Her master's dissertation, “Factors Predicting Intention to Participate in Communication Capacity Building in Agriculture 4.0 in Selected Research and Development Organizations in the Philippines,” determined the factors affecting the behavioral intention of information staff in selected Research and Development Organizations in the Philippines to participate in communication capacity building on the use of advanced technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence [AI], the Internet of Things [IoT], robotics, drones, big data, and precision farming) in agriculture.
The GREAT Program boasts of more GREAT women scholars and alumni. The women featured are just a peek of what is in store. As the program flourishes, we look forward to nurturing more GREAT female scientists and researchers who will advance the AANR sector.