Connecting the threads: DOST-NRCP's president to weave a ‘spider web’ of knowledge

A renowned expert on spiders, Dr. Aimee Lynn A. Barrion-Dupo, has been elected as the new President of the National Research Council of the Philippines (DOST-NRCP) until March 31, 2025.

With her extensive experience as an administrator, academic, and researcher, DOST said in a statement on April 5, that Dr. Barrion-Dupo plans to adopt the analogy of a spider web to bring a wealth of experience to the NRCP's mission.

“Just as a spiderweb relies on the strength of each component, the NRCP’s success hinges on the synergy between its functions…[ensuring] the continuous flow of knowledge, resources, and expertise towards a vibrant and dynamic Philippine research landscape,” Dr. Barrion-Dupo said.

With this, she highlighted the governing board and the Office of the Executive Director as the "hub," and the 13 Academic Divisions of the Council as the "frame threads," — that each must work together and provide coordinated and strategic direction and support for basic research.

She mentioned that the NRCP's roster of 6,272 members could form a 'sticky spiral,'" which can capture, nurture, and empower young talents and ideas.

Meanwhile, the "anchor points" represent the NRCP's commitment to connecting research with societal needs that ensures the "research findings are effectively translated into tangible benefits for Filipinos, propelling progress across sectors," said the new NRCP President.

‘Passionate scientist, educator’

In the academic scheme, she is known for leading the enhancement of research and instruction in the biological sciences for revitalizing course programs and instruction materials.

She was described by her peers as a “passionate scientist and educator,” as well as someone who pushes for more practical and effective evaluation schemes in her institutions.

She was also dubbed "Spiderwoman" since she had found over 52 spider species, 22 rice black bug species, and one moth species, as well as published 57 academic papers and two book chapters.

Meanwhile, as an advocate for science communication, Barrion-Dupo uses social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram to educate people about various critters' functions in the ecosystem.

She is also known to have instituted changes for the welfare of faculty across the University of the Philippines (UP) constituent universities, having served as Faculty Regent of the UP System during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021 to 2022.

Barrion-Dupo holds the title of Professor 12 and UP Scientist III at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) Institute of Biological Sciences and concurrently serves as curator for spiders and moths at the UPLB Museum of Natural History.

At the NRCP Governing Board (GB), she served as Vice Chair of the Membership Committee from 2022 until this year and as a member of the Committees on Publications, Networking, Linkages, and Outreach.

She is now in her fourth and final year at the GB as Member-at-Large, having taken over Dr. Leslie Michelle M. Dalmacio, another prominent academic and biochemist from UP Manila and former NRCP President for about a year.