VPREI receives Excellence in Innovation Award for breakthroughs in pig sperm freezing

Recognized for his trailblazing work in animal reproduction and veterinary research, Dr. Peña stood out for his special contributions to pig sperm freezing with the establishment of one of the country’s most advanced laboratories in boar semen cryopreservation using liquid nitrogen.  

The award places Dr. Peña in the spotlight not only for his research outputs but also for his leadership in turning science into potential solutions for pig growers. 

Dr. Peña described the honor as a “milestone moment”, acknowledging the grit, patience, and energy that this particular research demands.

“This recognition brings some extra happy hormone boost personally and professionally,” he shared, grateful to the many people and institutions who believed in and supported the work. 

At the center of this achievement is the DOST-PCAARRD-VSU SemenLAB or Semen Laboratory Applications and Biotechnology, Dr. Peña’s brainchild completed in late 2023 and institutionalized in 2024. 

The laboratory focuses on boar semen cryopreservation, an area still in its early stages in the Philippines despite the important role of the swine industry in the country’s food landscape. 

In particular, the facility addresses the pressing need for long-term banking in liquid nitrogen of semen from disease-free and genetically superior stocks for wider distribution and repopulation purposes, in light of the devastating effects of African Swine Fever (ASF). 

Through the SemenLAB, Dr. Peña and his team have already developed and optimized protocols for long-term semen storage in liquid nitrogen, which extends usability beyond the traditional 3-5 day shelf-life of liquid-stored semen. 

This advancement allows boar semen to be preserved virtually indefinitely, overcoming both time and regional limitations. 

“It is about keeping disease-free and genetically superior lines available for future use, even after outbreaks, which could help protect the livelihood of the pig farmers and their farm investments” Dr. Peña explained. 

A seasoned researcher with over a dozen published articles already in the last few years, Dr. Peña’s work has appeared in high-impact journals such as PLoS One, CSIRO Animal Production Science, the Philippine Journal of Science, Asian Pacific Journal of Reproduction, and Tropical Animal Health and Production. 

In 2023, he was named Outstanding Researcher during VSU’s 99th Founding Anniversary. 

In addition to this prestigious recognition, in 2024, the Philippine Civil Service Commission conferred Dr. Peña with the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award for his exceptional contributions to the field of agriculture, research, and innovation.  

Reflecting on his journey, Dr. Peña credits his Australia Awards Scholarship and his advisory team at James Cook University (JCU) for equipping him with the right mindset and tools. 

“My advisory team showed me how research becomes not just an academic pursuit but a means to finding credible solutions to practical questions,” he said.

With generous support from the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) and VSU, he emphasized that research has become both fun and purposeful. 

“It is not just optional, it is fundamental to secure the future of VSU and the communities we serve,” he added. 

Dr. Peña is committed to investing in the next generation of researchers. “We want to train and nurture budding scientists and encourage them to work on problems that truly matter,” he quipped. 

“As we tap into emerging technologies, we also need to hold on to the ethics and discipline that drive a strong research culture in VSU.”

He believes that VSU and other academic institutions have a long-term responsibility to help shape the future of agriculture in the Philippines. With the rise of precision agriculture, data-driven decision-making, and resource-efficient technologies, universities are in a unique position to drive meaningful change in partnership with government, private industries, and local communities. 

For students and early-career researchers, his advice is simple yet powerful. “Focus on the bigger picture. Celebrate small wins. Stay on God’s side. There will be hurdles, but that is what research is about. You fall, you learn, and keep moving” he said.

Before becoming Vice President, Dr. Peña served as the Dean of the then College of Veterinary Medicine, now the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. 

His leadership continues to shape how research, extension, and innovation evolve in VSU to make science work not just in the laboratories but in the lives of those who need it most.

This article is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2: Zero Hunger; SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being; SDG 4: Quality Education; SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production; SDG 13: Climate Change, and; SDG 17: Partnership for Goals.