Parkersburg High School graduate visits Philippines for summer research program

GLENVILLE -- A graduate from Parkersburg High School was among a group from Glenville State University to conduct field research in an exchange program with the University of the Philippines Los Banos College of Forestry and Natural Resources.

Adem Hupp graduated from Parkersburg High in 2019. The delegation to the Phillipines this summer included Hupp, students Ciera Heine and Corey Foster and Rico Gazal, a forestry professor in the Department of Land Resources at Glenville State. Their mission focused on research on plant diversity and invasive species in the tropical rainforest.

They visited research, academic and government institutions, took several cultural tours of the area and met with Rogelio Andradra, professor and superintendent of Makiling Botanic Gardens, and Forester Leilanie Castillo, head of the Division of Watershed of Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystem, UPLB CFNR.

Andradra and Castillo visited Glenville State in the spring to give presentations and guest lectures. They also helped coordinate much of the itinerary for the Glenville State students during their visit.

"The trip to the Philippines this summer has opened my eyes to the difference in how forestry is treated all around the world," Hupp said. "I'm thankful for both Dr. Andradra and Ms. Castillo for their hospitality and all the wonderful opportunities they gave us while we visited the Philippines."

Hupp, Heine and Foster gave presentations at UPLB CFNR and Southern Luzon State University on the natural resource industries in West Virginia, such as oil, gas, coal, hydrology and wind energy, forestry and ecotourism. Presentations provided the opportunity to interact with students and faculty from each academic institution through an open forum and discussion on natural resource management.

"I think the students gained new perspectives on natural resource management in the tropical rainforests and we also strengthened our partnerships with both UPLB CFNR and SLSU for faculty, research and student exchanges," Gazal said.

Gazal plans to take another group of students to the Philippines for a similar research opportunity next summer.