PRESS RELEASE
Date: 26 July 2019
Refer to: Rene A. Estremera
Public Relations Officer
(082)293-0310/ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Researchers from the University of the Philippines (UP) Mindanao received recognition for research studies that used Mindanao's bio-resources for drug discovery and public health in various national and international conventions held in July.
At the celebration of National Science and Technology Week on 17 July 2019, the UP Mindanao team was given recognition as a contributor to the Tuklas Lunas® Protocols for Drug Discovery and Development Manuals that were presented to DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña. The protocol entitled “Collection and processing of terrestrial plant samples for drug discovery and development” contained in Manual No. 1 was written by Assoc. Prof. Aleyla de Cadiz and Mr. Adrian Almeria(PSHS-SMC Alumnus Batch 2007) of the Department of Biological Science and Environmental Studies from their study of local plants with medicinal properties undertaken in Phase 1 of the Discovery and Development of Health Products program.
Another study from the Drug Discovery program entitled "Antioxidant and anti-cancer potential of Artocarpus fruit wastes" was given recognition in the 45th Food and Nutrition Research Institute Seminar Series-Undergraduate Research Competition Category held in Metro Manila on 2-3 July 2019. This research by Ms. Pete Maverick Nicole Estudillo (BS Food Technology 2019, summa cum laude) and adviser Assoc. Prof. Joel Hassan Tolentino (Department of Food Science and Chemistry), that studied the peel, core, and seed of breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) and marang (Artocarpus odoratissimus) fruits that are abundant in Mindanao, was awarded best poster and 2nd prize in the oral presentation.
In public health research, the International Society of Microbial Ecology gave recognition to a study on the leptospirosis disease during the 48th Annual Convention and Scientific Meeting of the Philippine Society for Microbiology on 19 July 2019. The study entitled "Molecular identification of Leptospira spp. in bats found in Davao City" by Ms. Sofia Ibañez (BS Biology 2019) and her co-authors was awarded best poster in the non-professional category. The study is from the Regional Health R&D Council-funded research entitled “Ecology of emerging zoonotic pathogens from bats in Malagos, Davao City.”
The Philippine Association of Food Technologists (PAFT) also recognized a study on a local bio-resource with anti-microbial properties for possible use in food packaging material, in textiles, and other industrial uses. The research "Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using mangosteen pericarp extract and evaluation of their antimicrobial properties" by Ms. Ella Angelique Bucoya (BSFT 2019, cum laude) and adviser Assoc. Prof. Noreen Fundador(PSHS-SMC Alumnus Batch 1994) (DFSC), was granted 1st prize and the Servillano and Irene Yuson Excellence in Food Technology Research Award in the 2019 PAFT Undergraduate Research Competition held on 12 July 2019 in Quezon City.
The Tuklas Lunas® Protocols for Drug Discovery and Development Manuals are presented to DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña (fifth from left) by (left-right) Dr. Marita Reyes, Dr. Marilou Nicolas, Dr. Christine Hernandez, Dr. Aleyla De Cadiz, Dr. Fabian Dayrit, Dr. Irene Villaseñor, Dr. Rita Alvero, Dr. Hiyas Junio, DDHP research assistants, DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development Dr Rowena P. Guevara (third from right), former DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development, Dr. Amelia P. Guevara (at podium), and DOST-PCHRD Executive Director Dr. Jaime Montoya (right-most)
Ms. Pete Maverick Nicole Estudillo (3rd from right) and adviser Assoc. Prof. Joel Hassan Tolentino (2nd from right) receive their prize and plaque at the 45th Food and Nutrition Research Institute Seminar Series in Metro Manila.
Ms. Sofia Ibañez (2nd from left) with (left-right) Associate Professor Sharon Villanueva, Assoc. Prof. Lyre Anni Murao(PSHS-SMC Alumnus Batch 1992), and Assoc. Prof. Aleyla de Cadiz at the 48th Annual Convention and Scientific Meeting of the Philippine Society for Microbiology in Clark Field, Pampanga.
[left-right] Assoc. Prof. Noreen Grace Fundador and Ms. Ella Angelique Bucoya at the 2019 Philippine Association of Food Technologists Convention in Quezon City.