Banner: (from left) Nathan Raphael F. Marquez, Meyrick U. Tablizo, Dr. Allan Gil S. Fernando, Dr. Lawrence R. Heaney, Dr. Janine P. Ochoa, and Miguel Joven E. Villanueva.
Dr. Lawrence R. Heaney*, a world-renowned mammalogist recognized for his work on biodiversity, island biogeography, evolution, and conservation in Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines, visited the Nannoworks Laboratory last August 7, 2025. Accompanied by Dr. Janine P. Ochoa of the UP School of Archaeology, Dr. Heaney met with members of the laboratory’s “Verts Group” to explore potential research and thesis topics related to the newly discovered vertebrate fossils in La Union. The “Verts Groups” is led by Meyrick U. Tablizo, the first MS student of NIGS to specialize in vertebrate paleontology. He is joined by Miguel Joven E. Villanueva, an MS Geology student and URA-1, and Nathan Raphael F. Marquez, a fourth-year BS Geology student. Miguel will focus on the taxonomy of fossil bovids from La Union under the co-supervision of Dr. Ochoa, while Nathan’s thesis on dental mesowear analysis to reconstruct bovid and cervid diets will be co-advised by Meyrick. Dr. Heaney will provide expert insights to support their research. This collaboration marks the beginning of vertebrate paleontology studies at the Nannoworks Laboratory, opening exciting opportunities for future research and publications in the field.
* Dr. Heaney is currently an Adjunct Faculty at the Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines and Curator of Mammals at the Field Museum of Natural History (Chicago, Illinois)