Dr. Menisa A. Antonio is a plant genetic resources specialist, spearheading the sustainable conservation and promotion of underutilized and neglected plant species in Ilocos Norte.  As a conservation enthusiast, her research works led to the taxonomic identification of the wild Dioscorea “buga”, identification and characterization of indigenous food plants (IFPs), evaluation of the health potential of IFPs, establishment of a botanical garden of IFPs, germplasm conservation and selection of high-yielding traditional upland rice varieties, and conservation of priority Iloco vegetable landraces.  She has published papers in refereed and non-refereed journals, book and catalogs, book chapters, and other knowledge products. She has presented papers, and gained recognition in international, national and local venues. Her policy recommendation on the conservation and promotion of IFPs has been adopted by the Regional Development Council -Region 1. She was MMSU’s Most Outstanding Researcher in 2011.

 

She currently occupies a Senior Science Research Specialist position under the Research Directorate. She finished PhD in Botany (specializing in Plant Systematics) and  MS in Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Management, both at the University of the Philippines Los Banos, College, Laguna.   She earlier took up her BS in Biology at MMSU.