“No man is an island” is a universally known phrase often being quoted when we talk about existence and interconnections. In humans, connections and networks are both essential and beneficial to our well-being and survival. In the context of science, it truly takes a whole community to establish a compendium of scientific knowledge. Research work is a collaborative effort which is not only limited to researchers and scientists alone but of the whole community. This is how Dr. Mark S. Calabon sees research work—a learning and fulfilling process when being done together.

Educational Background and Early Career

Dr. Calabon is a graduate of BS in Biological Sciences (Microbiology), magna cum laude, at West Visayas State University. He took his MS in Biology at the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV). He finished his doctoral degree in Biological Sciences (Aquatic Mycology) at Mae Fah Luang University in Chiang Rai, Thailand, which is known as the Center of Excellence in Fungal Research. In his early career years, he became a University Research Associate at the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. He also became a University Researcher at the Microbiology Department of the Regional Research Center. Aside from his strong support system which included his colleagues, his determination and quest for learning pushed him to pursue his PhD in Thailand. 

During his doctorate degree which revolved around doing research, Dr. Calabon saw the power and importance of collaboration. Being at the center of excellence gave him the opportunity to link with international researchers as well as conduct research with his colleagues in the field. During his stay there, the world was within his reach. He was able to establish connections with world experts in the field of mycology and even collaborate with them in conducting research.

Life in Research

Dr. Calabon’s research interests include general microbiology, fungal systematics, aquatic microbiology and mycology, and microbial ecology. His research career sparked during his college years, when he took a subject on the basic study of fungi or mycology. When he delved deeper into microfungi, he found it more beautiful. During his masters degree in UPV, he did not have any subjects on fungi, but he was determined to go with it. With the support of his adviser, he was able to incorporate it and pursued aquatic microbiology.

As an early-career scientist, his most memorable research feat was being published in a reputable research journal with an impact factor of 24.5 (Fungal Diversity). He also considered isolating novel species and contributing to the current body of knowledge as milestones. Further, these research studies were a product of collaboration between other researchers which makes them more fulfilling. Working together and exchanging valuable ideas made the research a success. 

When asked about his considerations in conceptualizing research, he responded that funding and timeframe are important. 

“Taxonomic work takes a lot of time,” he said. 

In terms of writing, he said there is a need for the researcher to understand the data and make a story out of it. This includes strategically interpreting and choosing the data properly. 

“That is the first thing that you should do when you are already writing—data interpretation, followed by materials and methods, results and discussion, and lastly, the introduction. The introduction comes last since it needs to be catchy, and it should encompass the entirety of the paper,” Dr. Calabon said. 

He also added that you need to find good collaborators and make them read your paper. 

“It is good to have another set of eyes to read your paper,” he shared. 

His challenges, realizations, hopes and dreams

According to Dr. Calabon, aside from having limited laboratories and laboratory supplies, some of the hard realities in conducting research here in our country is that we fail to value basic research especially in taxonomy and identification. He said there is a need to increase the funding for this type of research projects since these are the basic information needed for more complex research projects. 

“We need to see the contribution and importance of basic research. If we want to have accurate data, this type of research needs good support, good financial support,” he shared.

When he was asked how it was working with different people in the scientific community, Dr. Calabon expressed his gratitude. This is despite the fact that he was a little perplexed at first, as it was really different from what he used to experience. 

“Working with a diverse network of researchers and experts was amazing,” Dr. Calabon said. 

His experience made him realize that humility was evident in everyone, even among top-tier scientists. They may be known as pillars of a certain field, but they are very approachable and helpful to young researchers like him. They provide constructive feedback and give progressive recommendations.

Dr. Calabon is full of hope and aspirations for the scientific research community here in the Philippines. He plans to collaborate with other state universities and colleges in the country to conduct basic research in the taxonomy of fungi and construct a database that will be accessible for all. Furthermore, he wants to delve into bioactive compounds with specification on fungal bioactivity since marine fungi are known producers of bioactives and maybe collaborate with other laboratories in the university. He is currently focused on creating a monograph of aquatic fungi along with an online portal and database that is accessible to everyone— and he is already working on it.

His advice for budding researchers? Work hard and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Life in research is difficult, thus, it is important to be resilient to whatever challenges that you may encounter in the whole process of research. Sometimes there can be a drain of academic battery, and it’s completely normal. Lastly, believe that in research, no man can be alone. You should always value networks especially those in your field and make yourself easy to be mentored and be open-minded to a lot of possibilities.

Currently, Dr. Calabon serves as an assistant professor at the Division of Biological Sciences in UPV. As of this writing, he has been into numerous research collaborations with different respected researchers in the field of mycology and has published over 50 research journal articles and 6 book chapters. His recent research contribution was an update on the classification of marine fungi, a collaborative research of different researchers around the world.