Professor Dr. Augusto E. Serrano, Jr. is by far one of the most decorated professors in the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (CFOS), if not in the entire UP Visayas in terms of achievements and accomplishments in his field.
After 44 years of dedicated service to the University of the Philippines, Serrano, who retired on January 31, 2023, ended his career on a high note.
A well-published professor in fisheries with expertise in fish nutrition and enzymology, he ranked #1 among the fisheries scientists in the world according to AD Scientific Index 2023.
Last year, he was rank 69 in the whole UP system and 198 in the Philippines as a scientist. He was #2 and #7 in the entire UP and the country, respectively in the field of fisheries.
Serrano inspired students and colleagues when he delivered his retirement lecture last February 1, 2023 titled “Dr. Augusto E. Serrano Jr.’s Journey in the Academe” at the AV Hall, Pidlaoan Building, CFOS, UPV Miagao campus and via Zoom.
He narrated how he struggled his way up from a poor and mediocre boy to become an accomplished and well-decorated professor in the field of fisheries.
Serrano was born from a very poor family with a totally deaf mother and a jeepney driver father. Growing up, he experienced to be bullied and considered himself an average student who loves Physics and Chemistry. It was his mother who instilled in him the importance of education.
Fuelled by grit, passion, and perseverance, Serrano became an epitome of a great professor and researcher as what his colleagues at the CFOS would describe him.
He reached the rank of Professor 12 as early as 2007 and published around 130 journal articles. He mentored nine (9) PhDs and 15 MS students. He was an appointed UP Scientist (UP Scientist I, 2013-2015, UP Scientist III, 2016-2018 and UP Scientist II, 2019-2021). He was the first Filipino Post Doctoral Fellow of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).
He has received various awards for his outstanding performance and achievement as professor and researcher in the field of fisheries such as the SEARCA Professorial Chair, International Publication Awards, UPV Chancellor’s Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Research and as Professor, UPAA Outstanding Professional Awardee in the Field of Fisheries, and UP President’s Awards for International Publication, among others.
He has served as the director of the UPV Graduate Program Office and the UPV National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology.
Retired, but definitely not tired, Serrano wishes to become a Professor Emeritus, an honorary title given to faculty members retiring with a rank of Professor 12, and plans to continue publishing.
“If given the chance, I would love to do research and two (2) concept proposals are already in the pipeline at DOST-PCAARRD,” he said.
He encouraged the faculty members especially the young ones to be a teacher and a researcher as “research makes faculty members become better teachers.”
He told the new faculty members of CFOS to “study the promotion yardstick thoroughly so that you can promote the way you envision yourself being recognized by timely promotion. There is nothing that can boost your confidence and morale than being recognized by the university and by your peers.”
Serrano took BS Fisheries in UP Diliman major in Inland Fisheries and was ranked #2 of the graduating class of then College of Fisheries (CF) in 1979.
He then worked in UP Tacloban as an instructor in Inland Fisheries. Known as “Mr. Walking Chemistry” during his student days in the College of Fisheries, he was then recruited to teach Limnology in the CF and his service to the College continued until his retirement last January 31.
In 1985, he completed his Master in Agriculture (Fisheries) from Kyushu University, Japan through a scholarship. He finished his PhD in Food Science and Technology (Enzymology) in 1991at Tokyo University of Fisheries, which is now known as the Tokyo University of Marine Science & Technology.
