The Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology welcomes Dr. Ed Jolejole as a Balik Scientist under the Department of Science and Technology Balik Scientist Program. Dr. Jolejole will be hosted by the Environmental Pollution Studies Laboratory, headed by Dr. Mylene Cayetano, from July 17, 2026 to January 29, 2027.

Dr. Jolejole earned an MS in Environmental Science from IESM in 2019 before completing a PhD in Urban Environmental Engineering at the University of Tokyo in 2025 through the Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship. The doctoral research focused on developing environmental DNA, or eDNA, methods for detecting animals in urban stormwater runoff. Dr. Jolejole previously studied benthic macroinvertebrates in Cabuyao, Laguna, and contributed to Program SCALE and Project e-SMART, which examined environmental risks and water quality in Laguna Lake and Manila Bay.

During the engagement, Dr. Jolejole will develop eDNA-based monitoring methods for the detection of zoonotic risks. Planned activities include method development for the detection of pathogenic Leptospira species, and training and mentoring on eDNA-based methods and bioinformatics.