#ProudViscan: Former VSU Prexy is among the Filipino faces of biotechnology

Dr. Edgardo E. Tulin, VSU’s 6th president, university professor, and multi-awarded scientist, is among the nine Filipino Faces of Biotechnology recognized by the Department of Agriculture-Biotechnology Program.

This award is given to an outstanding scientist, researcher, farmer, fisherfolk, civil servant, communicator, journalist, advocate, legislator, administrator, and youth/student who significantly contributed to advancing biotechnology in the Philippines.

Dr. Tulin is recognized as a Face of Biotechnology awardee for his contributions to "promoting innovation and sustainable practices in higher education and advancing regional agricultural research."

As VSU’s chief steward for 8 years, Dr. Tulin expanded the infrastructure base of the university while also investing in human resource development and improving VSU’s global competitiveness. Under his leadership, he established new research centers that led to innovative and groundbreaking research in biotechnology, material science, and nanotechnology. 

In 2021, the Advanced Research and Innovation Center was completed to enable interaction between faculty, scholars, students, and the industry to enhance research opportunities, academic excellence, real-world problem-solving, and knowledge creation and dissemination. 

In research and extension, Dr. Tulin conducted and supervised several priority undertakings in support of the priority regional research and development programs that contributed to the overall countryside development of Eastern Visayas.

Among his notable achievements as research manager, Dr. Tulin spearheaded the widespread propagation of root crops in both Region VIII and remote communities in Maguindanao and Basilan, where this resource can be used to create native delicacies and other sustainable food items. These initiatives involve examining the value chain of root crops by setting up processing facilities that will drive the creation of more inventive food products. 

Under the direction of Dr. Tulin, VSU also participated in a coconut rehabilitation initiative following significant super typhoons, giving farmers access to resilient, high-yielding coconut varieties that are appropriate for the region.

​​While being a research manager, Dr. Tulin is also directly engaged in a project of developing a mango diagnostic toolkit that can be used in disease prevention and analysis that will hopefully strengthen the overall quality of the local mango produce in Region VIII.

Dr. Tulin received this recognition on December 5, 2024, alongside an incentive worth PhP 15,000 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City in celebration of the nine years of excellence and innovation in biotechnology in the country.

Another #ProudViscan is an honoree of the Filipino Faces of Biotechnology

Aside from Dr. Tulin, Dr. Emiliana Bernado, the late wife of the first president of the Visayas State College of Agriculture (ViSCA), Dr. Fernando A. Bernardo, was also awarded by the DOST-Biotechnology Program, which was received by his husband, Dr. Bernardo.

A pioneer in advancing ecologically friendly farming methods, Bernardo was formerly a professor of entomology at the University of the Philippines Los Baños. Her work with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)-modified crops, such as Bt eggplant, has earned her recognition as a specialist in integrated pest control and biosafety.

She served multiple roles in the then ViSCA, including Director for Instruction, Director for Research and Extension, Director of the Philippine Root Crop Research and Training Center, and even Dean of the ViSCA Graduate School.

Full list of awardees can be found here.

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