Field
Location (during time of takeover)
School/Institution
| Undergrad | University of the Philippines Mindanao Biology, Major in Cell Biology |
|---|---|
| Masters | University of the Philippines Diliman Marine Science, Marine Biology |
| PhD | University of Antwerp Biology |
Featured on June 8, 2025
We’re diving into the new week with Pinoy Scientist Joey Cabasan, a PhD student at the University of Antwerp’s Department of Biology in Belgium. She is currently working at their Functional Morphology (FunMorph) and Evolutionary Ecology Laboratory (EVECO).
Joey received her Bachelor of Science in Biology, Major in Cell Biology at the University of the Philippines (UP) Mindanao. She spent several years at various laboratories across the Philippines, starting at her alma mater before making her way to UP Los Baños, and eventually the Marine Science Institute at UP Diliman (UP MSI). At each of them, she used her expertise in marine science to study coral reefs and reef fishes around the country. Her work has sent her on several at sea research expeditions, taking her to places like the Tubattaha Reefs Natural Park, Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Rise (Benham), and the Atlantic Ocean where she collected samples and data, conducted surveys, and worked on reef restoration. After receiving a Certificate on Center of Excellence in Observational Oceanography from the Alfred Wegener Institute in Germany, Joey completed her Master’s in Marine Science, Marine Biology at UP MSI in 2023. Throughout this time, she has also served as a consultant and volunteer at organizations such as the World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines and RARE Philippines, among many others.
Joey is now in Antwerpen, Belgium as a PhD student and Doctoral Scholarship Holder at the University of Antwerp Department of Biology. She is currently a member of Functional Morphology (FunMorph) and the Evolutionary Ecology Laboratory (EVECO) studying fish biology, diversity, and evolution.
Some fun facts about Joey:
- She’s been a proud public school kid from Kindergarten to MS in the Philippines, and is now doing her PhD at a public university in Belgium.
- She cuddles a blue shark stuffed toy every night— adorably named “Sharkky”
- When she was younger, they used to call her Jollibee at home—pinaglihi daw siya sa first Jollibee branch that opened in Davao
