The Parasitology Research Laboratory of Institute of Biological Sciences (IBS) conducted an online short course titled “Quantitative and Spatial Parasitology: Spatial Dimensions and its Application in Epidemiology and Ecology” for teachers, ecologists, epidemiologists, environmental scientists, and researchers last September 1, 18, and 25, 2021.
To equip professionals, researchers, and students with the necessary knowledge and skills on spatial dimensions of parasitology and its application to ecology, the three-day short course consisted of two lectures from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM and a laboratory activity from 10:10 AM to 12: 00 NN. The short course covered topics on implication of parasite biodiversity to humans and environmental health and conservation, basic statistical techniques for parasitological data, application of GIS to ecological and parasitological interpretations, and socio-economic analysis for epidemiological studies.
The workshop garnered an overwhelming number of applications from sixty (60) individuals from various institutions but were shortlisted to twenty-three (23) accepted participants due to the hands-on nature of the short course. The accepted applicants were from Partido State University, Saint James School of Medicine, Southern Luzon State University, University of the Immaculate Conception, Bataan Peninsula State University, University of the Philippines Los Baños, University of the Philippines Diliman, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa, Caraga State University, Department of Health Central Visayas, National Academy of Science and Technology, University of the Philippines Manila, Our Lady of Fatima University, Department of Health Philippines, and De La Salle University Dasmariñas.
Dr. Vachel Gay V. Paller, head of the Parasitology Research Laboratory, spearheaded the event as training coordinator. Members of the organizing team include Mr. Allen Jethro I. Alonte as Assistant Training Coordinator and Mr. Modesto Z. Bandal Jr., Mr. Jeph Roxy M. Macaraig, and Mr. Kim Louisse A. Patagnan as Training Staff.
“We really want the short course to be hands-on and with quality that’s why we are accepting only a few applicants. We are trying to offer it again next year, January or February, for the applicants that we were not able to accommodate this year, and we are excited about this,” Dr. Paller said.
— JG Campang
