Interests

• Biology/Ecology, Conservation and Management of Marine Mammals and other large marine vertebrates (sea turtles, sharks and rays)
• Marine Ecology/Biology & Integrated Coastal Resources Management
• Conservation Biology (Ecological Sustainable Development)
• Coral Reef Ecology, Seagrass Biology/Ecology
• Vertebrate Biology/Ecology, Behavior & Nutritional Ecology

Research Projects

• PHLMarMams
• Cetacean morbillivirus Project
• Genetics and genomics of select PHL marine mammals
• The Philippine marine mammal strandings (influence of natural and anthropogenic factors) – Facilitates and trains locals on marine mammal stranding response (through the Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network/ PMMSN) – Conducts research on various aspects regarding stranded marine mammals
• Ecology and conservation of small cetaceans in southern Tañon Strait
• Dugong conservation in Busuanga and Guimaras
• Assessment of the fisheries and marine wildlife resources of Guimaras
• Examination of the exposure to infectious agents and impact of human interaction on stranded cetaceans in the Philippines: Sentinel species providing clues on ocean and human health
• Functional relationships of habitats in the Mantalip Reef System (Negros Oriental)
• Effectivity of law mandated fish sanctuaries in the Philippines
• Ecotoxicological and biomarker approach assessment of health adverse effects in Philippine marine mammals
• Bycatch rates of sea turtles in Tawi-Tawi
• Genetic variability and phylogeography of spinner dolphin populations in the Philippines
• Review on the compliance of Provision 91 of RA 8550

Courses Teaching

• Env. Sci. 1 (Environment and Society)
• Env. Sci. 201 (Fundamentals of Environmental Science I)
• Env. Sci. 202 (Fundamentals of Environmental Science II)
• Env. Sci. 212 (Environmental Problems and Issues)
• Env. Sci. 221 (Environmental Biology)
• Env. Sci. 297 (Special Topics in Environmental Science)
• Env. Sci. 299 (Independent Master’s Study)
• Env. Sci. 399 (Independent Doctoral Study)

Other Relevant Information

• Outstanding Young Scientist Award in Marine Biology (National Academy of Science and Technology-Philippines) (12 July 2001)
• Sirenian Specialist Group Member (since 1992) of the Species Survival Commission, IUCN– The World Conservation Union
• President – Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network Inc (PMMSN)
• President – Philippine Environmental Science Association Inc (PESA)
• Chair – Asian Marine Mammal Stranding Network (formerly South East Asian Marine Mammal Stranding Network/ SEAMMSN)
• Adjunct Assistant Professor, RSMAS, University of Miami (2001-2006)
• Assistant Professor VII (Tenured), Institute of Biological Sciences, UPLB (1986-88, 1990- 2003)
• Accredited EIS Preparer (Environmental Professional, Certificate#98-EMB-BULJA0004)
• Curator of Marine Mammals, Museum of Natural History, UPLB (1996-2001)
• Served as external thesis examiner for the University of Malaysia Sabah (June-July 1999, August-September 2000)
• Served as committee member for advising MA/MSc students at RSMAS (2002-2006)
• Serves as committee member for advising an MSc student at NSU (2007-09)

Recent Publications

1. Aragones, L. V., Morado, A. N. L., Obusan, M. C. M., Laggui, H. L. M., Bondoc, J. L., Suarez, L. J. A., & Lawler, E. K. (2024). Spatiotemporal Variation of Stranded Marine Mammals in the Philippines from 2005 to 2022: Latest Stranding Hotspots and Species Stranding Status. Aquatic Mammals, 50(4), 302–322. https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.50.4.2024.302
2. Bejar, S. G. F., Purificacion, D. M. P., Aragones, L. V., Balais, M. M., De Guia, A. P. O., Duya, M. V., Ong, P. S., & Duya, M. R. M. (2024). Sleeping Site Selection, Sleep-related Positional Behavior, and Social System of Philippine Tarsiers (Carlito syrichta) Inhabiting a Protected Forest Fragment in Mindanao Island, Philippines. International Journal of Primatology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10764-024-00443-5
3. Suarez, L.J.A., Guy, A.T., Obusan, M.C.M., Aragones, L.V., Torno, C.S. 2023. Cetacean morbillivirus in a Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus) that stranded in the west coast of Luzon Island, Philippines. Philippine Journal of Veterinary Medicine, 60(1), 1-10. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.31627.87840
4. Omeyer, L. C. M. et al. 2023. Interaction between marine megafauna and plastic pollution in Southeast Asia. Science of the Total Environment 874 (162502). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162502
5. Cortez, L.A.A., Siringan, M.A.T., Samar, E.D. and Aragones, L.V. 2023. Fecal Enterococci Levels in Selected Tributaries of the Pampanga River Basin, Philippines, and Their Relation to Land Use. Journal of Environmental Protection, 14, 32-49. https://doi.org/10.4236/jep.2023.141003
6. Benjamin, K., Marquez, C. M., Morta, M., Reyes, E. M., Aragones, L., & Velarde, M. 2022. Bisphenol S Increases Cell Number and Stimulates Migration of Endometrial Epithelial Cells. Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies. https://doi.org/10.15605/jafes.037.S7
7. Obusan, M.C.M., Caras, J.A.A, Lumang, L.S.L., Calderon, E.J.S., Villanueva, R.M.D., Salibay, C.C., Siringan, M.A.T., Rivera, W.L. and Aragones, L.V. 2021. Bacteriological and histopathological findings in cetaceans that stranded in the Philippines from 2017 to 2018. PLoS ONE 16(11): e0243691. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. pone.0243691.
8. Veloria, A., Hernandez, D., Tapang, G. and Aragones, L. 2021. Characterization of open water explosion from confiscated explosives in the Philippines – possible implications to local marine mammals. Science Diliman, 33(1): 5-21.
9. Bondoc, J.L., Aragones, L.V. and Kwan, C.S. 2021. Development, validation and application of a three-way cleanup method for GC/MS measurement of PCBs in stranded cetaceans in Philippine waters. Philippine Journal of Science, 150(5): 1093-1108.
10. Guzman, R., Aragones, L., & Obusan, C. 2020. Molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii in select cetaceans stranded in the Philippines in 2019. 13. 206-214.
11. Obusan, C., Caras, J., Lumang, L., Calderon, E., Villanueva, R., Salibay, C., Siringan, M., Rivera, W., Masangkay, J., & Aragones, L. 2020. Bacteriological and histopathological findings in cetaceans that stranded in the Philippines from 2017 to 2018. 10.1101/2020.11.30.403568.
12. Perez, G., Comiso, J., Aragones, L., Merida, H.C., & Ong, P. 2020. Reforestation and Deforestation in Northern Luzon, Philippines: Critical Issues as Observed from Space. Forests. 11. 10.3390/f11101071.
13. Aragones, L.V. & Laggui, H.L.M. 2019. Marine Mammal Strandings in the Philippines from 2017 to 2018: Initial biennial analysis. A PMMSN Publication. Technical Report No. 2. Quezon City, Philippines. 139 pages
14. Obusan, M.C.M., Villanueva, R.M.D., Siringan, M.A.T., Rivera, W.L., Aragones, L.V. 2019. Leptospira spp. And Toxoplasma gondii in stranded representatives of wild cetaceans in the Philippines. BMC Veterinary Research, 15 (1), Article number 372.
15. Suarez, L.J.A., Paz, J.I, Balquin, J.T. & Aragones, L.V. 2019. Haematological and serum biochemical reference values extrapolated from rehabilitated stranded spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris). Philippine Journal of Veterinary Medicine, 56(2), 1-8.
16. Smith, A. B., Pacini, A. F., Nachtigall, P. E., Laule, G. E., Aragones, L. V., Magno, C., & Suarez, L. J. 2019. Transmission beam pattern and dynamics of a spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris). The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 145(6), 3595-3605. doi:10.1121/1.5111347
17. Obusan, M.C.M., Aragones, L.V., Rivera, W.L., Siringan, M.A.T. 2018. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns of bacteria isolated from cetaceans stranded in the Philippines.Aquatic Mammals 44(5): 568-579. DOI 10.1578/AM.44.5.2018.568.
18. Bondoc, J.L., Aragones, L.V., Masangkay, J.S. 2017. Hematological, macroscopic and microscopic findings in two stranded whales (Mesoplodon densirostris and Kogia sima) and possible causes of deaths. Philippine Journal of Veterinary Medicine 54 (1): 64-70.
19. Pacini, A., Nachtigal, P., Smith, A., Suarez, L., Aragones, L., Laule, G., Magno, C., Braun, R. 2017. Hearing loss and dynamite fishing in two species of odontocetes. Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics. 27(1): 1-6. 010043. DOI 10.1121/2.0000393
20. Obusan, M.C.M., Rivera, W.L., Siringan, M.A.T., & Aragones, L.V. 2016. Stranding events in the Philippines provide evidence for impacts of human interaction on cetaceans. Oceans & Coastal Management 134: 41-51.
21. Obusan, M.C.M., Aragones, L.V., Salibay, C.C., Siringan, M.A.T., & Rivera, W.L. 2015. Occurrence of human pathogenic bacteria, Toxoplasma gondii in cetaceans stranded in the Philippines: Providing clues on ocean health status. Aquatic Mammals 41(2): 149-166.
22. Ramos, D.A.E., Aragones, L.V. , & Rollon, R.N. 2015. Linking integrity of coastal habitats and fisheries yield in Mantalip Reef System. Ocean & Coastal Management 111: 62-71.
23. Aragones, L.V., Suarez, L.J., Espinos, B.G., & Laule, G. 2015. PMMSN Field guide to the whales and dolphins of the Philippines. A Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Inc publication. ISBN 978-261-95396-0-9.

Previous Publication

1. Aragones, L.V., McManus, L.T., M.A. Roque, A.S. Amor, and E.O. Keith. 2013. Dolphin watching in the southern Tañon Strait Protected Seascape, Philippines: Issues and challenges. Science Diliman 25(2):1-34.
2. Aragones, L.V., Laule, G.E., & Espinos, B.G.(eds). 2013. 2nd Ed. Marine mammal stranding response manual – A guide for the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of stranded cetaceans and dugongs in the Philippines. A Wildlife in Need (WIN) and Ocean Adventure publication. Subic Bay, Freeport. 141 p + iii.
3. Aragones, L.V., Roque, M.A., Diaz, G.C. & Alesna, E.B. 2013. The Philippine marine mammal stranding network. In L.V. Aragones, G.E. Laule, B.G. Espinos (eds)[2nd Ed] Marine mammal stranding response manual, pp 1-5. A Wildlife in Need (WIN) and Ocean Adventure publication. Subic Bay, Freeport.
4. Aragones, L.V., Togle, M.I.C. & Torres, A.T. 2013. Relevant Philippine laws and international agreements regarding marine mammals. In L.V. Aragones, G.E. Laule, B.G. Espinos (eds) [2nd Ed] Marine mammal stranding response manual, pp 111-115. A Wildlife in Need (WIN) and Ocean Adventure publication. Subic Bay, Freeport.
5. Aragones, L.V. 2013. Overview of Philippine marine mammals. In L.V. Aragones, G.E. Laule, B.G. Espinos (eds) [2nd Ed] Marine mammal stranding response manual, pp 6-30. A Wildlife in Need (WIN) and Ocean Adventure publication. Subic Bay, Freeport.
6. Aragones, L.V., Follosco, N.G. and Ledesma, K.C. 2013. Managing community response to strandings. In L.V. Aragones, G.E. Laule, B.G. Espinos (eds) [2nd Ed] Marine mammal stranding response manual, pp 105-110. A Wildlife in Need (WIN) and Ocean Adventure publication. Subic Bay, Freeport.
7. Laule, G.E., Phillips, W.F., Torno, C., Flores, M.B., Encomienda, R.P., Maniago, F.E., Roque, M.A., & Aragones, L.V. 2013. Emergency first response. In Aragones, L.V., Laule, G.E., Espinos, B.G. (eds) [2nd Ed] Marine mammal stranding response manual, pp 42-58. A Wildlife in Need (WIN) and Ocean Adventure publication. Subic Bay, Freeport.
8. Hines, E., Reynolds III, J., Aragones, L.V., Mignucci-Giannoni, A., Marmontel, M.(eds). 2012. Sirenian conservation: Issues and strategies in developing countries. University Press of Florida. Gainesville, FL, USA. 325 p + xiv.  Aragones, L.V., I. Lawler, D. Domning, H. Marsh and A. Hodgson. 2012. Role of the sirenians in the aquatic ecosystem In: E. Hines et al. (eds), Sirenian conservation: Issues and strategies in developing countries, pp 4-11. University Press of Florida. Gainesville, FL, USA.
9. Aragones, L.V., M.Marmontel, S. Kendall, D. Kwan. 2012. Working with communities for sirenian conservation. In: E. Hines et al. (eds), Sirenian conservation: Issues and strategies in developing countries, pp 221-228. University Press of Florida. Gainesville, FL, USA.
10. Aragones, L.V., K. LaCommare, S. Kendall, N. Castelblanco-Martinez, and D. Gonzalez- Socoloske. 2012. Boat and land based surveys for sirenians. In: E. Hines et al. (eds), Sirenian conservation: Issues and strategies in developing countries, pp 179-185. University Press of Florida. Gainesville, FL, USA.
11. Hines, E., Adulyanukosol, K., Aragones, L.V., et al. 2012. Dugongs in Asia. In: E. Hines et al. (eds), Sirenian conservation: Issues and strategies in developing countries, 58-76. University Press of Florida. Gainesville, FL, USA.
12. Hines, E., Aragones, L.V., Reynolds, J., Mignucci-Giannoni, A., & Marmontel, M. 2012. The role of scientists in sirenian conservation in developing countries. In: E. Hines et al. (eds), Sirenian conservation: Issues and strategies in developing countries, 243-245. University Press of Florida. Gainesville, FL, USA.
13. Aragones, L.V., Roque, M.A., Flores, M.B., Encomienda, R.P., Laule, G.E., Espinos, B.G., Maniago, F.E., Diaz, G., Alesna, E.B., & Braun, R.C. 2010. The Philippine marine mammal strandings from 1998 to 2009: Animals in the Philippines peril? Aquatic Mammals 36(3): 219-233.
14. Aragones, L.V., Talaue-McManus, L., Roque, M.A., & Keith, E.O. Submitted. Cetacean watching and the development of a participatory management process for protecting cetaceans in the sourthern Tanon Strait, Philippines. Ecology and Society.  Aragones, L.V. and G.E. Laule (eds). 2008. Marine mammal stranding response manual – A guide for the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of stranded cetaceans and dugongs in the Philippines. A Wildlife in Need (WIN) and Ocean Adventure publication. Subic Bay, Freeport. 106 p + viii.
15. Aragones, L.V., Alesna, E.B., & Follosco, N.G. 2008. An introduction to the Philippine marine mammal stranding network. In L.V. Aragones and G.E. Laule (eds) Marine mammal stranding response manual, pp 1-2. A Wildlife in Need (WIN) and Ocean Adventure publication. Subic Bay, Freeport.
16. Aragones, L.V. 2008. Overview of Philippine marine mammals. In L.V. Aragones and G.E. Laule (eds) Marine mammal stranding response manual, pp 7-30. A Wildlife in Need (WIN) and Ocean Adventure publication. Subic Bay, Freeport.
17. Torres, A.T., & Aragones, L.V. 2008. A compilation of relevant Philippine laws and signed international agreements regarding marine mammals. In L.V. Aragones and G.E. Laule (eds) Marine mammal stranding response manual, pp 3-6. A Wildlife in Need (WIN) and Ocean Adventure publication. Subic Bay, Freeport.
18. Aragones, L.V., Follosco, N.G., & Ledesma, K.C. 2008. Managing community response to strandings. In L.V. Aragones and G.E. Laule (eds) Marine mammal stranding response manual, pp 55-59. A Wildlife in Need (WIN) and Ocean Adventure publication. Subic Bay, Freeport.
19. Laule, G.E., Phillips, W.F., Torno, C., Flores, M.B., Encomienda, R.P., Maniago, F.E., Roque, M.A., & Aragones, L.V. 2008. Emergency first response. In L.V. Aragones and G.E. Laule (eds) Marine mammal stranding response manual, pp 41-54. A Wildlife in Need (WIN) and Ocean Adventure publication. Subic Bay, Freeport.
20. Aragones, L.V., Lawler, I., Foley, W., & Marsh, H. 2006. Dugong grazing and turtle cropping: Grazing optimization in tropical seagrass systems? Oecologia 149: 635-647.
21. Lawler, I., Aragones, L.V., Foley, W., Berding, N., & Marsh, H. 2006. Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy as a rapid, cost-effective predictor of seagrass nutrients. Journal of Chemical Ecology 32: 1353-1365.
22. Aragones, L.V., and Marsh, H. 2000. Impact of dugong grazing and turtle cropping on tropical seagrass communities. Pacific Conservation Biology. 5: 277-288.
23. Aragones, L.V. 2000. A review of the role of the green turtle in tropical seagrass ecosystems. Pp. 69-85. In: N. Pilcher and G. Ismail (eds.), Sea Turtles of the Indo-Pacific: Research Management and Conservation. ASEAN Academic Press Ltd, London.
24. Foley, W.J., MacIlwee, A., Lawler, I., Aragones, L. V., Woolnough, A.P., & Berding, N. 1998. Ecological application of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy- a tool for rapid, cost- effective prediction of the composition of plant and animal tissues and aspects of animal performance. Oecologia 116: 293-305.
25. Aragones, L.V., Jefferson, T., & Marsh. 1997. Marine mammal survey techniques applicable in developing countries. Asian Marine Biology 14: 15-39.
26. Aragones, L.V. 1994. Observations on dugongs at Calauit Island, Busuanga, Palawan, Philippines. Wildlife Research 21: 709-717.
27. Dolar, L.S., Leatherwood, S., Wood, C., Alava, M., Hill, C., & Aragones, L.V. 1994. Directed fisheries for cetaceans in the Philippines. Report of the International Whaling Commission 44: 439-449.
28. Leatherwood, S., Dolar, L., Wood, C., Aragones, L.V., & Hill, C. 1992. Marine mammal species confirmed from Philippines waters. Silliman Journal 36: 65-86.

Technical Reports

1. Aragones, L.V., Morado, A.N.L. 2023. Marine mammal strandings in the Philippines from 2021 to 2022. A PMMSN Technical Report No. 4. Quezon City, Philippines. ISBN 978-621-96860-0-6 (Softbound), ISBN 978-621-95396-9-2 (PDF).
2. Aragones, L.V., A.N.L. Morado, H.LM. Laggui. 2022. The Philippine marine mammal strandings in the Philippines from 2019 to 2020. PMMSN Technical Report No. 3. Quezon City, Philippines. ISBN 978-621-95396-7-8 (Softbound), ISBN 978-621-95396-8-5 (PDF).