DR. LIZA JOY B. BARICAN, RCrim, PGDip–AC is a licensed criminologist and academic leader based in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. Born on December 4, 1988, in Tapi, Kabankalan City, she is married to PSSg Wilfredo A. Barican Jr., a police officer, and they have one child, Sean Joross B. Barican. Dr. Barican earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice, specializing in Criminology, with Magna Cum Laude honors from De La Salle University–Dasmariñas in January 2023. She also holds a Master of Science in Criminology, majoring in Forensic Sciences, from West Visayas State University–Lambunao Campus, which she completed in October 2014. She graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Criminology from STI West Negros University in March 2009. Additionally, she has a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Criminology (PGDip–AC) from PCCM–LEAPS Academy in Pasay and has earned several vocational certifications, including National Certificate II in Security Services and a specialization as a Questioned Document Specialist.
Dr. Barican is a licensed criminologist. Her academic excellence has been consistently recognized, receiving Magna Cum Laude and Cum Laude distinctions in her doctoral and undergraduate studies, respectively. In her professional career, Dr. Barican has been with STI West Negros University since 2013, currently serving as the Program Head of the College of Criminal Justice Education (2021–2024) and as a full-time faculty member since 2013. She has held various academic leadership roles, including Research Coordinator for the College of Criminal Justice Education, Chairman of the STI WNU Research Committee, and adviser to both the Criminology Society and the CCJE Student Council. Before joining STI WNU, she was an instructor at Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology from 2010 to 2013, where she also served as Head of Student’s Organization and Activities.
A sought-after criminology licensure exam review lecturer, Dr. Barican has taught review classes for various institutions such as Carlos Hilado Memorial State College, Central Philippine State University, Brainstorm Review and Training Center, De La Salle University–Dasmariñas, Northwestern University in Ilocos Norte, and the University of Negros Occidental–Recoletos. She has chaired and participated in numerous research panels and serves as a peer reviewer. Her research contributions cover a range of topics in criminology and public safety, including questioned document examination, crime prevention through environmental design, the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on educators and students, and firearm ballistic performance analysis. Notable works include studies on stress and resilience during the pandemic, crime prevention practices in Bacolod City, and challenges in automated fingerprint identification operations.
Today, Dr. Barican continues to lead, teach, and inspire in the field of criminology education and research while actively contributing to the professional criminology community through her publications, organizational leadership, and public service.
