Ronilo Flores

Featured on July 11, 2021

This week we’re joined by Dr. Ronilo “Onille” Flores, an Assistant Professor at the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) and Associate Dean of the UPLB Graduate School (among his many other administrative assignments).

Onille graduated cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, major in Microbiology from UPLB. He then took up his Master of Engineering in Advanced Science and Biotechnology at Osaka University under the Japanese government scholarship.

Following this, Onille took up his PhD in Engineering (Biotechnology) at Osaka University as well. Since then, he has taught at UPLB’s Institute of Biological Sciences under the Environmental Biology Division.

Onille’s current research projects revolve on microbial ecology and biotechnology toward planetary health which includes exploring microoganisms from different habitats and sources and their biotechnological and medical applications.

He also works on the N-glycosylation of different organisms such as yeasts and Philippine coconut varieties. Previously, he worked on monitoring the microbial air quality in high school classrooms and prevalence of Verotoxin-producing E. coli in meat. He is a member of a university research program on Zoonones and the African Swine Fever.

Beyond his academic pursuits, Onille is also the head coach of the UPLB volleyball team. He also enjoys singing and usually covers songs as a hobby or during long experiment waiting times. Onille also enjoys traveling, random joyrides and meeting new people.

Let’s all say hi and welcome Onille to the Pinoy Scientists fam!