Mycology in a Changing Planet: Applications and Perspectives from Southeast Asia

This book provides a comprehensive examination of the diverse applications and challenges of fungi, particularly in the context of Southeast Asia. It addresses two pivotal questions: How are fungi contributing to global betterment, and what challenges do they pose to our planet? By addressing these questions, the book underscores the dual role of fungi as agents of progress and sources of concern.

By integrating indigenous knowledge with contemporary scientific research, the book offers a unique perspective on the role of fungi in medicine, agriculture, food science and biodiversity conservation. The chapters include the discovery of bioactive metabolites from marine-derived fungi, the epidemiology and diagnostics of endemic mycoses, and the innovative applications of mycological nanotechnology. In agriculture, the book examines how fungi can enhance crop protection and yield, addressing food security challenges in a region heavily dependent on agriculture. Additionally, it investigates biosafety and biosecurity issues, both in laboratory settings and in broader societal contexts. Particular attention is given to the impact of climate change on fungal diversity and the role of fungi in maintaining sustainable ecosystems. The book also addresses critical questions about the socio-economic implications of fungal biotechnology and its potential to drive innovation in medicine and agriculture.

This volume is an invaluable resource for researchers, academics, and students in mycology, biotechnology, and environmental science. It is also relevant for policymakers and industry professionals interested in the applications of fungal research.

Jonathan Jaime G. Guerrero is currently a medical and graduate student at the University of the Philippines Manila College of Medicine and College of Public Health. He has a Bachelor's degree in Biology and a Masters degree in Plant Pathology with Soil Science cognate, both of which provided focused training in Mycology. He is also a certified Biorisk Officer since 2015. He serves as editor and reviewer of various journals, and has authored multiple journal articles and book chapters. He previously worked as a full time instructor and researcher, handling biology, microbiology, and environmental science subjects, and research projects on fungal diversity, natural products, and medical and agricultural applications.

Dr. Marian Pulido De Leon is the Director of the Museum of Natural History and Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension at the University of the Philippines Los Baños. As a University Researcher and Curator, she pioneered cave microbiology in the Philippines, exploring caves for pathogenic and novel microorganisms. She is a Certified Biosafety Officer and serves as a Biosafety Officer and Scientist Member of the UPLB Institutional Biosafety Committee. She is also recognized as a Registered Microbiologist by the Philippine Academy of Microbiology. Her expertise in biosafety and microbiology is critical to her roles at UPLB.

Dr. Rohani Cena-Navarro is a veterinarian and Assistant Professor at the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, National Institutes of Health-University of the Philippines Manila and Director at the National Training Center for Biosafety and Biosecurity (NTCBB) NIH-UP Manila. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of the Philippines, Los Banos and Masters in Veterinary Medicine at Chonnam National University, South Korea. Dr. Cena is a Biosafety Officer, having completed the Philippine Advanced Biorisk Officers Training in 2015, and is also a Certified Professional by the International Federation of Biosafety Associations. 

Dr. Kin Israel Notarte holds a Doctor of Medicine and a Master of Science in Microbiology, both from the University of Santo Tomas (Philippines). He is currently a PhD candidate in Pathobiology (Microbiology & Infectious Disease) at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (USA). He serves as a reviewer for more than fifty journals and contributes as an editor for Frontiers in Medicine and Frontiers in Immunology. An accomplished scientist, he was a Bayer Fellow for the 72nd Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Medicine and Physiology (Germany), a fellow of the American Society for Microbiology Future Leaders Mentorship Program, and the top prize awardee for Excellence in Clinical Research from the Department of Pathology at Johns Hopkins. 

Dr. Mark Angelo O. Balendres is a plant pathologist and a professor at the Department of Biology of De La Salle University. He earned his PhD in Agricultural Science (Plant Pathology) from the University of Tasmania, Australia. His research focuses on plant disease diagnostics, host-pathogen interactions, and the sustainable management of plant diseases, especially those caused by fungi. He leads the DLSU Plant and Soil Health Research Unit with work bridging fundamental science with practical applications to improve crop protection and support smallholder farmers in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.

Dr. Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz is a professor of microbiology at the Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and the Graduate School and the group leader of the Fungal Biodiversity, Ecogenomics and Systematics-Metabolomics (FBeS) group at the Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences in UST. He completed his Doctor of Natural Sciences (Dr. rer. nat.) at the Technical University Braunschweig in Germany and his BSc Microbiology and MSc Biological Sciences degrees at the University of Santo Tomas. He holds a Diploma in Science Teaching and Diploma in Research and Development Management from the UP - Open University. Dr. dela Cruz is a fellow of the Philippine Academy of Microbiology and the Global Young Academy.