CALLS AND EVENTS
2024 DOST-PCHRD Undergraduate Thesis Grant in Natural Products Grantees
Congratulations to the qualified grantees of the 2024 DOST-PCHRD Undergraduate Thesis Grant in Natural Products!
The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) Undergraduate Thesis Grant in Natural Products provides fund support to undergraduate students who will conduct their thesis on natural products from plants and microorganisms. The program aims to sustain a research culture in natural products to increase the number of research and later on build a pool of researchers/experts specializing in the field. The program supports the Tuklas Lunas (Drug Discovery and Development) program of the DOST-PCHRD, which aims to develop safe, effective, and affordable alternative drugs from the country’s natural resources.
For the first batch of call last 2024, the following are the selected grantees:
| Region | Institution | Grantee/s | Adviser/s | Project Title |
| I | Mariano Marcos State University | Steve King Ian I. Agnir,
Edmar Berwin S. Alcarion, Nisha Jean Bali, and Gill Adrian Tabanda |
Prof. Ma. Danica Ines-Ramil | Comparative Analysis of the Antihypertensive Activity of MMSU Black Garlic (Allium sativum) and Ilocos White Garlic Variety (Allium sativum) Ethanolic Extracts on DOCA Salt-Induced Hypertensive Rats |
| II | Cagayan State University | Jhan Mingo L. Bumatay | Dr. Maricel F. Campañano | Phytochemical Screening, Embryotoxicity, and Teratogenic Effect of Butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea) Flower Extract on Zebrafish (Danio rerio) |
| III | Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology | Mark Lorenzo C. Cadion | Mr. Darwin F. Reyes
co-adviser: Ms. Dyanne Jane C. Duldulao |
Nutritional Analysis, Phytochemical Profiling, and In vitro Antioxidant Activities of Endemic Kawayang Bayog (Bambusa merrilliana) Leaves and Herbal Infusion Made from Thereof |
| III | Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology | Diona Lee L. Lastimoso | Ms. Danilet Vi M. Mendoza | In Silico and In Vitro Studies of Bioactive Components of Crescentia cujete L. (Miracle Fruit) against NUDT5 Involved in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer |
| III | Pampanga State Agricultural University | Gabrielle Xazzandra R. Galang | Dr. Evelyn V. Totaan | An Analysis of the Antioxidant and Neuroprotective Effects of Ziziphus talanai (Balakat) Ethanolic Leaf Extract against the Aluminium chloride-induced
Alzheimer’s disease in Mus musculus L. (ICR Mice) |
| III | Pampanga State Agricultural University | David Sean Luis M. Mercado | Dr. Evelyn V. Totaan | Antiproliferative and Antiangiogenic Properties of Ethyl-Acetate Fraction of Ethanolic Adlay (Coix lacrymba-jobi) Seed Extract |
| IV-A | Batangas State University | Pauline Joy A. Altura
and Princess Kayla D. Hernandez |
Dr. Bryan John A. Magoling | Molecular Simulation and In vitro Studies on the Anti-inflammatory Potentials of the Chemical Constituents of Melothria pendula (Pipinong Gubat): Systematic Approach to Medicinal Plant-based Drug Discovery |
| IV-A | Southern Luzon State University | Jann Rian L. Porol,
Emmanuel V. Labsan, and Mika Jerlyn E. Soberon |
Dr. Editha E. de Jesus | Phytochemical, Antiangiogenic, and Anti-proliferative Properties of Amaranthus viridis L. Roots Extracts Against Human Breast (MCF – 7), Colon (HCT 116), and Lung (A549) Cancer Cell Lines |
| IV-A | University of the Philippines Los Baños | Marianne Faye L. Baquiano,
Charleston B. Chang, Jr. and Simound P. Narte |
Dr. Rona Camille M. Lizardo-Agustin | Enhancing the Bioactivities of Functional Food from Selected Philippine indigenous Berries through Lactic Acid Fermentation with Co-cultures of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Lacticaseibacillus casei |
| NCR | De La Salle University | Yannikka Bata and
Jeremiah John S. Urbi |
Dr. Ma. Luisa DA Enriquez | Determining the Apoptotic Inducing Property of Alpinia elegans on HT-29 Colorectal Cancer Cell Line Using 2D and 3D Cell Culture Methods |
| NCR | University of the Philippines Manila | Francis Kiro S. Domingo,
Darryl B. Dungala, Helene Elise T. Duran, Paul Emmanuel D. Evangelista, Haggai Elisha L. Facon, Alyssa Nadine A. Ferrer, and Mary Hazel B. Florita |
Dr. Ailyn G. Manglicmot-Yabes | Mechanism of Antifungal Action of Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf (Tanglad) against Candida albicans |
| NCR | University of Santo Tomas | Kyla Angela D. Montilla,
Eunice Julianne B. Pe, and Trixie Jane T. Sarmiento |
Mr. Alexis M. Labrador | In vivo and in vitro Investigation on the Effect of Bignay (Antidesma bunius) on Inhibiting Neuronal Oxidative Stress via Nrf2/ARE Pathway |
| V | Partido State University | Dominic R. Adan and
Jamille R. Albeus |
Mr. Kier P. Gasga | In vitro Hypoglycemic Capacity of Creeping Cucumber (Melothria pendula L.) fruit extracts through a-Amylase and Glucose Uptake by Yeast Cell |
| VI | Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod | Ivan Joshua Carmona,
Lucky John Java, Audrei Magallanes, Anthony Villanueva, and Claire E. Occeña |
Ms. Rheene Rose D. Bajon | Inhibitory Activity against Cholesterol Esterase and Antioxidant Properties of Cinnamomum mercadoi Bark Hydroalcoholic Extract |
| VI | University of the Philippines Visayas | Carlos Anthony Henry E. Cortes | Dr. Mark S. Calabon | Taxonomy, Phylogeny, and Biological Activities of Endophytic Fungi Associated with Seagrass Species in Nogas Island, Antique, Philippines |
| VI | University of San Agustin | Royze Ann G. Evangelista | Dr. Relicardo M. Coloso | Purification and Characterization of the Protease Inhibitor of the Brackish Water Filamentous Green Algae Chaetomorpha brachygona |
| VII | Cebu Normal University | Precious Lane G. Laranjo,
Marian Gabrielle M. Ladiona, and Aireen ClaireA. Alimpoos |
Mr. Seagal P. Asjali | Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles using Bluemea balsamifera (Sambong) Ethanolic Leaf Extract: Optimization, Characterization, and In-Vitro Anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis Assessment |
| IX | Western Mindanao State University | Al-Ameen J. Alpha,
Mark Anthony I. Samson, and Shakira L. Susulan |
Dr. Genelyn G. Madjos | In vitro Evaluation of Anti-proliferative Potential of Crude Ethanolic Extracts of Cocoa Pod Husk (CPH) against A549 Lung Cancer Cell Lines |
| X | Central Mindanao University | Cris D. Palaca | Dr. Meraluna J. Canunayon
co-adviser Dr. Mark Lloyd G. Dapar |
Ethnopharmacology, Molecular Confirmation and Metabolite Profiling of the Philippine Endemic Pandanus gracilis and Sararanga philippinensis |
| X | Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology | Dianne Aira A. Cabuyaon | Dr. Aileen B. Angcajas | In Vitro-Screening for Antioxidant and Skin Anti-Aging Potentials of Moringa oleifera Lam (Malunggay) Pod Extracts |
| X | Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology | Angeline Deceree M. Rabuyo | Dr. Aileen B. Angcaja | Inhibitory Potential of Artocarpus odoratissimus Blanco (Marang) Core Extracts on Selected Skin Aging-Related Enzymes |
| XI | University of the Philippines Mindanao | Charlisze Ayeesha A. Tapsirul | Dr. Aleyla E. de Cadiz | Anti-Inflammatory Potential of the Leaf Extracts of Native Vascular Epiphytes: Piper betle (L.) and Epipremnum pinnatum (L.) Engl. Against SARS-COV-2 NSP14-Mediated IL-6 Cytokine Induction |
| XII | University of Southern Mindanao | Rico John C. Gorieza | Dr. Ma. Teodora N. Cabasan | Bioprospecting for Natural and Novel Drug: Antibacterial Property Evaluation Using Giant Shipworm (Kuphus polythalamius) Gill Bacteria Biota Extracts Against Antibiotic-Resistant Uropathogenic Escherichia coli |
| XII | Mindanao State University-General Santos | Steven Carlos N. Aguillon and
Jose Daniel D. Dema-ala |
Dr. Angem L. Descallar | Characterization and Bioactivity Evaluation of Shipworm (Teredinidae) Endosymbionts from Sarangani Bay for Antimicrobial and Anti-Cancer Applications |
| BARMM | Mindanao State University-Main Campus | Analie Aguitong,
Ritchamar Nacion, and Johaina Pandapatan |
Dr. Yusoph C. Manalundong II | Phytochemical Profiling and Functional Food Potential of Solanum aethiopicum Linn. Leaves Cultivated in Binidayan, Lanao del Sur |
After completion of their projects in May 2025, a competition will be held in September 2025 for selected qualified students to recognize their innovative work on natural products.
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