National Scientist

Gavino C. Trono Jr.

He was born in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, Philippines on 11 November
1931. He obtained his B.S. (Botany) from the University of the Philippines,
Diliman, in 1954; M.S. from Araneta University in 1961; and Ph.D. in Marine
Botany from the University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA in 1968.

He served as a professor at the Department of Botany of the University of the

Philippines (UP) Diliman, and later at the UP Marine Science Institute since 1981
and is currently a Professor Emeritus of the Marine Science Institute.

Throughout his more than 50 years of scientific career, Prof. Trono has completed
at least 45 research projects, published more than 120 internationally refereed
papers, including 10 books and technical manuals.
SPECIALIZATION
 He was awarded as the National Scientist by the Philippine
government for his exceptional contributions to the field of Marine
Biology, specifically on seaweed resources, on March 13, 2004.

 He was called as the “Father of Kappaphycus Farming”

 He conducted a pioneering research on the taxonomy and biology of

seaweed species in the Philippines, a Filipino scientist who made
notable research on tropical marine phycology with a particular focus
on seaweed biodiversity.
 He conducted studies on the culture of seaweeds such as Eucheuma
denticulatum, Kappaphycus alvarezii, Gracilaria spp., Caulerpa
lentillifera, and Halymenia durvillei for coastal communities.
SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION
 Throughout his career, his significant
contribution was the seaweeds
conservation. He conducted extensive
research and worked towards their
protection and sustainable management.
 He played a crucial role in raising awareness

about the importance of seaweeds and their

conservation, and also actively engaged in
policy influence with government agencies
and policymakers.
What does Gavino Trono invented?
 He successfully developed a pond and open-water culture technologies and management of
stocks of economically important seaweed species of the Philippines such as
Euchema/Kappaphycus, Gracilaria and Caulerpa and Sargassum which benefited seaweed
farmers in coastal areas in the country.
How does it works?
Gregorio Velasquez Phycological
Herbarium (MSI)
THANK YOU!