The Department of Agriculture-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (DA-NFRDI) launched SciTalks: Knowledge-Sharing Session, establishing its first formal platform for internal exchange of scientific expertise among researchers and technical staff.

Held at the NFRDI Conference Room on February 5, 2026, participated in by employees onsite and online, the activity was designed to strengthen knowledge transfer by bringing together fellows from the Balik Scientist Program (BSP) and the Career Incentive Program (CIP), both flagship initiatives of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

The session aimed to ensure that research expertise gained through these government-supported programs is shared across the institute and applied to current and future research initiatives.

“This is the first time we will conduct NFRDI SciTalks. One of our aims is to hear from our Balik Scientists and CIP fellows, hoping to gain insights and knowledge from them that we can apply here at NFRDI,” said Dr. Mudjekeewis Santos, Scientist V and chief of the Training Division in his opening remarks.

SciTalks featured two BSP awardees and three CIP fellows who presented research addressing key concerns in aquaculture and fisheries science.

Dr. Joseph Leopoldo Laranja Jr., a Balik Scientist based at the NFRDI–Brackishwater Fisheries Research and Development Center, presented research on indigenous probiotic-producing bacteria that improve aquaculture health and resilience. Meanwhile, Dr. Joshua L. Superio, Balik Scientist at the NFRDI-Fisheries Biotechnology Center (FBC), shared lessons from the use of multi-omics tools in the development of emerging aquaculture species.

CIP fellows also contributed applied research and professional insights. Noemi Ramilo discussed the application of molecular techniques in agricultural and aquaculture research, while Vanessa May Q. Samora presented nucleic acid-based diagnostic methods for the rapid detection of aquatic animal diseases. Both Ramilo and Samora are assigned at FBC. Completing the session, Kyara Patricia Bueno of the Genetic Fingerprinting Laboratory shared her experience as a young researcher, highlighting pathways for research development and mentoring within the institute.

NFRDI Chief Dr. Maria Theresa Mutia noted that the increasing engagement of BSP awardees reflects NFRDI’s responsibility to lead the fisheries sector through science. “Nakita ko na parang mas dumadami ang nakikipag-engage sa atin na BSP awardees, and I think that is one good sign that we are doing our job well because one of our mandates is to be a leader in fisheries research,” she said, adding that SciTalks opens opportunities for researchers to network and generate ideas that can be applied to ongoing and future studies.

Through SciTalks, NFRDI aims to strengthen collaboration, providing a platform for institutional knowledge transfer, enabling its personnel to benefit from the advanced expertise and global perspectives of the Balik Scientist and CIP fellows, and ensuring that public investment in science results in practical, evidence-based solutions that support sustainable fisheries and national development. ### (Ann Dominique Del Valle)