Dr. Mark Angelo O. Balendres, a plant pathologist at the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB), has been named a member of the prestigious Global Young Academy (GYA), an exclusive organization that envisions ‘science for all; science for the future’ through ‘giving a voice to young scientists around the world.’

GYA develops, connects, and mobilizes scientists from six continents and empowers researchers to lead international, interdisciplinary, and intergenerational  dialogue.

It currently has 200 scientists in the early stages of their independent academic careers as members.

GYA conducts strategic projects in collaboration with international partner organizations in four thematic areas of Science and Society, GYA & the SDGs, Research Environment, and Science Education & Outreach. 

GYA members serve a five-year term and are elected for their scientific excellence and commitment to engage with society. 

Dr. Balendres graduated with a PhD in Agricultural Science specializing in plant pathology from the University of Tasmania in Australia. 

He headed the Plant Pathology Laboratory of IPB from 2019 until February 2022 where he mentored Filipino students and researchers and linked them with international plant pathology experts through webinars.

Dr. Balendres received the 2020 UPLB Outstanding Researcher Award and the Nelia T. Gonzales Award of Excellence for Research, and was the youngest recipient of the 2019 G.O. Ocfemia Outstanding Plant Pathologist Award (Research) by the Philippine Phytopathological Society Inc.

He is a member of the Australasian Plant Pathology Society, the American Phytopathological Society, International Society for Seed Science, the National Research Council of the Philippines, International Society of Root Research, and the Philippine Phytopathological Society.
Dr. Balendres is the sixth member of GYA from the Philippines and only the second from UPLB, Dr. Decibel Faustino-Eslava being the first one. (JMBo)