Nik Shawn is a recent addition to the Museum of Natural History’s core team, having joined in January 2024. He is a Registered Microbiologist certified by the Philippine Academy of Microbiology, since 2011.

He obtained his Master of Science degree in Microbiology minor in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology from the University of the Philippines Los Baños under the DOST-ASTHRDP-NSC scholarship program. He also obtained his bachelor’s degree in Biology major in Microbiology degree from the same University.

Nik is also internationally trained in microbial taxonomy and resource management in reputable bioresource centers in Korea such as the Korean Agricultural Culture Collection, Korea Type Culture Collection, and in database curation at Thailand Bioresource Research Center.

Before joining the MNH, he has provided technical services to the DTI as a Technical Assessor who helps determine the compliance of Microbiological Testing Laboratories accredited by the Philippine Accreditation Bureau to the ISO 17025:2017 Standard. He was formerly a curator for filamentous fungi at the Philippine National Collection of Microorganisms (PNCM) and served as its Document Control Officer, Deputy Quality Manager, and Internal Audit Team Member under its Quality Management System.

He was co-proponent and has led some studies for Government and UPLB funded projects during his stint at the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH). He has also managed an R&D Laboratory that produced composting inocula and enrichment inocula (biofertilizer) when he was working with the Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc, the corporate foundation of Shell Philippines.
His interests involve travelling, reading manhwas, listening to audiobooks, and trying new foods.

Nik Shawn is a member of the Mycological Society of the Philippines, the Philippine Network of Microbial Culture Collections, Inc. and a life member of the Philippine Society for Microbiology, Inc. He is an alumnus of UPLB organizations namely: UPLB REPPS, UP Cell Biological Society (UP Cells), PANTAS (Pandayan ng Talino at Sining), and SAMAPI (Samahan ng Mag-aaral ng Pisay).