Renowned scientist and former director of the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST -SEI), Dr. Josette T. Biyo, officially began her faculty work at the West Visayas State University (WVSU) last August 24, 2024.

 

The renowned educator recently joined the faculty roster of the College of Education – Graduate School for the first semester of the academic year 2024-2025, teaching Advanced Marine Ecology for the Doctor of Philosophy in Science Education program, Major in Biology.

 

Among her first engagements as a professor at WVSU, Dr. Biyo supervised a recently conducted in-depth field study, focused on community structure of seagrass ecosystems and mangrove assessment at Brgy. Dangula-an, Anilao, Iloilo.

 

Dr. Biyo is a celebrated scientist for being a recipient of the International Excellence in Teaching Award during the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair held in Louisville, Kentucky, USA in 2002, making her the first Asian teacher to clinch the award.

 

An asteroid from the Flora region of the inner asteroid belt called the 13241 Biyo was named after the said former DOST-SEI director for her accomplishment in the said fair.

 

Dr. Biyo spent most of her life in the academe where she used her knowledge in biology to serve rural communities in Iloilo and has developed her educational philosophy of fostering a “culture of science.”