Willie P. Abasolo

Details

Dr. Willie P. Abasolo is recognized of his pioneering researches on rattan (Calamus spp.) and several bamboo species as well as his significant work on the micro-mechanics of the plant cell wall. His investigation on the thermo-mechanical properties of the rattan cane gave the exact softening temperature of the material. This offered the much-needed information on the efficient processing of rattan canes. Further, he has studied the effects of site conditions on the growth behavior and properties of rattan grown in plantations to define the optimum conditions where the plant can produce the best cane and to serve as basis in the selection of future sites.

Sex: Male

Education:

  • Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan, Doctor of Agriculture, Major in Forest Products, 2002
  • Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam, Germany, Post Doctor, 2006
  • Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan, Doctor of Agriculture, major in Forest Products, 1999
  • College of Forestry University of the Philippines, Los Baños, Laguna, B.S. Forestry (Cum Laude), 1993
  • Laguna School of Arts and Trades, Sta Cruz, Laguna, Vocational, Automotive Technology, 1989

Field of Specialization

Plant Biomechanics, Wood Anatomy, Agriculture , Forestry

Researches:

Site conditions and growth characteristics of plantation-grown palasan canes (Calamus merill Becc.) 

The crucial role of the matrix polymers on primary cell wall mechanics studies using Arabidopsis mutants with altered polysaccharide composition.

Papers Presented

Enzymatic Modification of Primary and Secondary Cell Walls - A Tool for Better Insights into the Mechanical Functions of Cell Wall Polymers, 17th International Botanical Congress, Austria Center, Vienna, Austria

Stress Generation in Calamus merrillii Becc, IAWA Pan-American Regional Group Meeting,

Properties of Rattan Canes, 4th South and East Asian Countries Non-Timber Forest Products Network (SEANN) Workshop, UPLB, College, Laguna, Philippines

Quality of Rattan Canes, 3rd International Wood Science Symposium, Uji, Kyoto, Japan

Structure and Properties of Rattan II. (Silica distribution) , 50th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

Structure-function Relationships of Primary Cell Walls , Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces Alumni Meeting, Potsdam, Germany

Structure and Properties of Rattan (Microstructure and properties), 49th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan

Anatomy and Quality of Rattan Canes, 48th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan

Structure-function Relationships of Primary Cell Walls, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces Alumni Meeting, Potsdam, Germany

Awards:

  • Outstanding Young Scientist (Agriculture), NAST-DOST, 2007
  • Post Doctoral Fellowship, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 2005-2006
  • International Publication Award, University of the Philippines, 2005
  • Travel Grant, Biomaterial Physics Laboratory, Graduate School of Biogricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Japan, 2005
  • Professorial Chair, The Washington Professorial Chair for the Physical Science, 2003-2004
  • Research Grant, International Foundation of Science , Sweden, 2003-2004
  • Travel Grant, Biomaterial Physics Laboratory, Graduate School of Biogricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Japan, 2004
  • Monbosho Scholarship, Japan Ministry of Education, 1996-2002
  • Top Ten Board Passers, Plaque of Recognition, PRC, Forestry Board Examiners, 1994
  • Cum laude, UPLB, 1993
  • Chancellor's Pin, UPLB, 1993
  • Medal of Academic Excellence in the Field of Forestry, College of Forestry Faculty, UPLB, 1993
  • Guillermo Ponce Scholarship, UPLB, 1990-1993
  • Travel Grant, Biomaterial Physics Laboratory, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya university , 2003\
  • Forestry Board of Examiners, PRC