Tracy Maffett Prado

SUMMARY ● Early-career Researcher, Administrative and Operations Professional with 5+ years of experience supporting university research centers, academic divisions, and multi-stakeholder programs. Experienced in laboratory and field-based research, ecological monitoring, project leadership, and scientific reporting. Skilled in procurement, coordination, executive documentation, compliance reporting, stakeholder communication, and process optimization within government and academic systems. • Research interests: Vertebrate Pest Ecology and Management, Rodent Pests, Invasion Zoology, Animal Toxicology PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE National Crop Protection Center, UP Los Baños Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines University Researcher I Apr 2024 – Mar 2026 The National Crop Protection Center (NCPC) is a national research institution under UPLB that develops science-based pest management strategies for farmers and government agencies across the Philippines. The Center supports national agricultural productivity initiatives and collaborates with regional stakeholders and state universities. ● ● ● ● ● ● Worked within the Vertebrate Pest Laboratory while supervising one (1) laboratory aide, reporting directly to Pest Management Division Head. Supported research and extension initiatives aligned with national crop protection priorities serving agricultural sectors across Luzon and other regions. Led the design and implementation of four (4) research projects in Luzon with a total of Php 380,000 budget, coordinated field sampling, conducted laboratory observation, data analysis and management to ensure 100% compliance with research timelines. Research Projects as Project Leader: ○ Species Composition and Age Structure of Pest Rodents in Maize-Growing Areas in Laguna, Philippines ○ Assessment and Guild Composition of Avifauna in Selected Agricultural Landscapes in Laguna, Philippines ○ Laboratory Efficacy of Chlorophacinone 0.005% Block Bait Against Sprague-Dawley Rats, Rattus norvegicus (Berkenhout) ○ Compilation of Vertebrate Pests in Corn, Mango, Banana, and Onion and their Management Reduced procurement processing delays by approximately 20–30% by preparing PPMP documents in advance, monitoring supply inventories, and coordinating directly with suppliers, preventing interruptions in laboratory and field operations. Coordinated with government stakeholders, faculty, and external partners to align research activities with institutional and national priorities. Represented the laboratory during stakeholder visits, trainings, and official engagements, strengthening institutional relationships. Monitored emerging research trends to support proposal development aligned with national crop protection priorities. Ehime University Graduate Student Researcher – COOPERATE Program Ehime, Japan Jan – Apr 2024 ● ● ● ● ● Worked as a graduate research member under the supervision of faculty from both University of the Philippines Los Baños and Ehime University as part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary project team (3+ researchers) focused on environmental toxicology and molecular ecology. Conducted advanced molecular toxicology research under the LaMer Joint Usage/Research Program at Ehime University, Japan — an internationally collaborative initiative funded by Japan’s MEXT to advance environmental pollution science. Designed and executed RNA isolation, cDNA synthesis, and real-time quantitative PCR to assess xenobiotic metabolism (CYP1A1, CYP1B1) and multi-gene stress responses in Rhinella marina specimens from Laguna Bay, generating reliable datasets for environmental gene expression analysis. Interpreted site‐specific gene expression patterns linked to pollutant exposure, enhancing biological insights into amphibian stress responses and contributing to environmental risk assessment research outputs. Synthesized complex molecular results into structured reports aligned with LaMer research communication standards, supporting future interdisciplinary research directions. Animal Biology Division, UP Los Baños Graduate Student Assistant ● ● ● ● Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines Apr – Jun, Sept – Dec 2023 Reported directly to the Animal Biology Division head, assisting faculty, staff, and students. Processed procurement and administrative documents (PPMP) for the Animal Biology Division, ensuring compliance with university procedures. Managed office communications, calls, visitor coordination, and technical assistance requests. Created publicity and communication materials using Canva to support division activities. Department of Biological Sciences and Environmental Studies, UP Mindanao Senior Research Assistant (Quality Assurance Project) ● ● ● ● API project title: "Completion of Self-Assessment Report (SAR) on the BS Biology and activities towards Adoption of the MS Biology Program" Completed 100% of required accreditation documentation by identifying data gaps and coordinating with fellow senior research assistants and faculty contributors. Compiled large volumes of evidence into structured electronic reports for internal and external QA review. Developed tables, summaries, and structured reports to meet quality assurance criteria. Davao Doctors College, Inc. Community Extension Staff ● ● ● ● Davao, Philippines Oct – Dec 2022 Davao, Philippines Jul 2019 – Jul 2022 Coordinated and implemented the extension program “Clinic Refurbishment Program” with government and NGO partners, ensuring timely execution of deliverables. Drafted MOAs, MOUs, and official documents to formalize partnerships and funding allocations to at least 10 public secondary schools, and one (1) elementary school. Provided assistance to Payroll-in-Charge by preparing and encoding forms needed in HRMS or timekeeping for payroll purposes, ensuring accurate and timely submissions. Assisted in procurement and budget-related documentation for extension activities. Private Research Assistant Mindanao, Philippines Sep – Dec 2015, Nov – Dec 2016 This research formed part of a doctoral-level study on raptor migration ecology and movement dynamics in the Philippines, contributing structured field data to long-term migration monitoring and spatial ecology analyses. ● ● ● ● ● Served as a field research assistant under a PhD candidate, collaborating within a small ecological monitoring team (3–5 members) during peak migration seasons across selected sites in Mindanao, Philippines. Conducted systematic migration monitoring of Grey-faced Buzzards and other raptor species using standardized count protocols, recording species identity, age class, sex (when determinable), flight direction, altitude estimation, and distance to ensure data comparability across sampling periods. Recorded hourly meteorological variables (temperature, cloud cover, wind speed and direction, barometric pressure) to support quantitative analysis of environmental drivers influencing migration timing and flight behavior. Performed structured road-based transects to document Philippine serpent-eagle distribution patterns, recording GPS location, habitat type, route, and behavioral observations to support movement ecology and habitat-use analyses. Maintained detailed, high-accuracy field logs and datasets that contributed to analyses within a PhD-level ecological research framework, supporting scientific rigor and long-term monitoring objectives. The Flyway Foundation Thailand Chumphon, Thailand Research Intern Sep – Dec 2015, Nov – Dec 2016 The Flyway Foundation Thailand conducts long-term raptor migration monitoring at Khao Dinsor, one of Southeast Asia’s most significant migration bottlenecks, contributing to regional avian movement ecology research. ● ● ● ● ● Served as a field research intern within an international monitoring team conducting standardized autumn raptor migration counts at a major Asian flyway bottleneck site. Conducted systematic counts of raptor and non-raptor migrants using established migration watch protocols, identifying species, age class, and sex (when determinable) to ensure data comparability across seasons. Recorded hourly meteorological parameters (temperature, cloud cover, wind speed and direction, barometric pressure) using calibrated field instruments to support correlation analyses between atmospheric conditions and migration intensity. Maintained precise field logs under high-volume migration events, contributing to structured datasets used for seasonal trend analysis and inter-annual comparisons. Participated in one of Southeast Asia’s longest-running raptor monitoring initiatives, supporting long-term datasets essential for understanding migration timing, species-specific flight strategies, and weather-related migration dynamics. University of the Philippines Mindanao Research Assistant ● ● ● Mindanao, Philippines Jan – Mar 2016 Worked under a faculty-led research project team supporting biodiversity and environmental management initiatives across multiple field sites in Mindanao. Assisted in gathering experimental and ecological field data across different sampling locations by supporting field managers in species identification and standardized data recording, contributing to reliable biodiversity datasets. Facilitated procurement of laboratory, field, and office supplies to ensure uninterrupted project implementation and compliance with university procurement procedures. ● ● ● Provided technical assistance to undergraduate thesis advisees conducting experiments under the project’s scope, supporting experimental setup, data collection, and adherence to research protocols. Contributed to the preparation of a Biodiversity Management Plan and assisted in drafting the project’s terminal report, supporting the timely submission of institutional research deliverables. Ensured administrative and documentation requirements were completed within the project timeline, supporting smooth coordination between research, field, and administrative components. EDUCATION, LICENSES, and CERTIFICATIONS Master of Science in Zoology University of the Philippines Los Banos Organic Bio-Control Agents (OBCA) Accredited Researcher Licensed Professional Teacher Secondary – Biological Sciences Civil Service Eligibility Professional Bachelor of Science in Biology University of the Philippines Mindanao Candidate for Graduation Oct 2025 – Oct- PUBLICATIONS Dumandan, P. K. T., Prado, T. M. B., Limparungpatthanakij, W., Hansasuta, C., Concepcion, C. B., & Round, P. D. (2022). Among-Species Differences in Seasonal Timing and Weather Correlates of Autumn Raptor Migration at Khao Dinsor, Thailand,-. Journal of Raptor Research, 56(3), 323–332. https://doi.org/10.3356/JRR-21-15 CONFERENCES • Presenter (Poster Presentation – Online) o 30th Annual Philippine Biodiversity Symposium (December 6-9, 2022) Title: “Philippine Invasive Alien Animal Species (IAAS) : a closer look at other potential invasives” Authors: Paul John S. Tolentino, Faith Nicole V. Agudo, Tracy Maffett B. Prado & Anna Pauline O. de Guia • Participant (Oral Presentation – Online) o Philippine Society for the Study of Nature - ICoNSIE 2023 (July 6-8, 2023) Title: "Lead Concentrations in Farmed Milkfish from Mariculture Parks in Panabo City: Implications for Public Health and Environmental Risk Management" Authors: Anthony Amores, Joseph Pentason, Tracy Maffett Prado, and Maria Claret Tsuchiya TECHNICAL SKILLS Productivity Suites: Microsoft Office, Google Workspace Email Management: Gmail Communication Tools: Slack, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet File Management: Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, SharePoint Design and Editing tools: Canva, Photoshop Administrative and Operational Competencies: Procurement documentation (PPMP preparation and processing), Technical/Scientific report writing (for presentation and publishing), Records digitization and organization, Stakeholder coordination Research: Grant Proposal writing Molecular Biology: RNA Isolation and Purification, cDNA synthesis, Quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR), Gene expression analysis, Sample preparation and laboratory documentation Laboratory and Field Research: Live trapping and rodent population assessment, Bioefficacy (Rodenticide), Species identification (rodents and raptors), Migration count and monitoring, Road transect surveys Analysis: Jamovi, SPSS, R, QGIS TRAININGS As Resource Person/Technical Expert • Training of Trainers on Vegetable Pest and Disease Diagnosis and their Management May 26-30, 2025 at ATI-RTC I, Tebag East, Santa Barbara, Pangasinan • Visit of several faculty members and students of Mindanao State University-General Santos City campus February 19, 2025 at the National Crop Protection Center, CAFS, UPLB • Refresher Course: Identification and Management of Pests and Diseases in Cereal Crops, Vegetables, and Mango in the Philippines November 3-7, 2025 (Online) at the National Crop Protection Center, CAFS, UPLB October 14-18, 2024 (Online) at the National Crop Protection Center, CAFS, UPLB June 11-18, 2024 (Online) at the National Crop Protection Center, CAFS, UPLB • 20th National Biotechnology Week November 25-29, 2024 at the National Crop Protection Center, CAFS, UPLB • CAFS Open House: Hop-on Hop-off Activity September 9, 2024 at the National Crop Protection Center, CAFS, UPLB • Young Farmers Camp and Agrilympics Skills Lab August 15, 2024 at the National Crop Protection Center, CAFS, UPLB • Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for Policy, Planning, and Regulations July 19, 2024 at the National Crop Protection Center, CAFS, UPLB • NCPC Tour for State University and College Officials July 1, 2024 at the National Crop Protection Center, CAFS, UPLB • Laboratory tour May 23, 2024 at the National Crop Protection Center, CAFS, UPLB • Stakeholders’ Fair – NCPC 48th Anniversary May 21, 2024 at at the National Crop Protection Center, CAFS, UPLB As Participant/Trainee • Seminar/Workshop on the Official Accreditation of Organic Bio-Control Agents (OBCA) Researchers September 15-19, 2025 at Apo View Hotel, Davao City • Introduction to Open Source Statistical Software: JASP and Jamovi April 21, 2025 at the National Crop Protection Center, CAFS, UPLB • Digital PCR Workshop for Beginners June 3-4, 2024 at MBB Laboratory, Biological Sciences Building, UPLB