The Department of Science and Technology Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) facilitated the yearly visit of Fondazione Italiana Fegato (FIF) or Italian Liver Foundation Scientific Director Professor Claudio Tiribelli  to the Philippines on 11-14 March 2025. The visit strengthened their ongoing partnership to advance liver research through various liver research initiatives.

DAY 1:  March 11, 2025

The DOST-PCHRD and FIF partnership has paved the way for the PhD in Molecular Biomedicine program, designed to develop Filipino experts in liver research. This scholarship program selects two young researchers annually for training in molecular hepatology at the University of Trieste, Italy.

Out of 75 applicants in the latest cycle, seven were shortlisted for the panel interview. The panel comprised of FIF Scientific Director Prof. Tiribelli, DOST-PCHRD Executive Director Dr. Jaime C. Montoya, Institution Development Division Chief Ms. Joana America, and S&T Fellows Dr. Loraine Kay Cabral and Dr. Noel Salvoza, as panelists.

Discussions following the interviews focused on enhancing the scholarship program and advancing the newly established Philippine Liver Research Network (PLRN) and the ASEAN Liver Research Initiative (ALRI), both of which are coordinated by the DOST-PCHRD as Secretariat. 

DAY 2: March 12, 2025

• Courtesy visit to the Department of Health (DOH)

To expand partnerships, Prof. Tiribelli and Dr. Montoya visited DOH Secretary Dr. Teodoro Herbosa. Dr. Montoya presented the DOST and FIF collaboration emphasizing initiatives in capacity building and liver research  network development. Discussions explored ways on how DOH’s support can strengthen this partnership.

Dr. Montoya introduced the PLRN as a hub for liver disease research, empowering local scientists to lead impactful studies. He also highlighted the role of the Philippines in the ALRI, a regional network dedicated to enhancing liver health programs, education, and policies. Dr. Herbosa expressed strong interest in the PLRN, urging the development of the Network’s short-term and long-term plans, and support for PLRN.

• Multidisciplinary Liver Symposium

In collaboration with Makati Medical Center (MMC) through the Department of Pathology and Laboratories and the Section of Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, the PLRN organized  a Multidisciplinary Liver Symposium. Dr. Salvoza and Dr. Cabral presented the lectures on “Translational models of MASLD: From Bedside to Bench” and “Cellular-type Driven Response to Therapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma”, respectively while Professor Claudio Tiribelli talked about “Neonatal Jaundice and Early Diagnosis”.

Following the symposium, a meeting with PLRN liver research partners focused on strategies for promoting research collaboration, dissemination, and education, aligned with the Network’s goal.

DAY 3: March 14, 2025

During the Joint Annual Convention of the Hepatology Society of the Philippines (HSP), Philippine Society of Gastroenterology (PSOG), Philippine Society of Digestive Endoscopy (PSDE), Dr. Jaime C. Montoya delivered a concise lecture on liver research initiatives in the Philippines and their accomplishments under the PLRN.

Dr. Montoya emphasized the success of capacity building programs such as the PhD  in Molecular Biomedicine, and MD-PhD in Molecular Medicine through the Research Enrichment Program. To date, 10 PhD scholars and 3 MD-PhD scholars have been sent to Italy for specialized training in liver research. These scholars collectively contributed to 29 research publications, attended 37 international scientific events, and received 18 travel awards, among other incentives. 

Dr. Montoya’s lecture was followed by a discussion by Dr. Loraine Kay Cabral on how clinicians of the HSP, PSDE, and PSOG could engage with and benefit from the PLRN. The Q&A session provided a platform to exchange ideas on advancing translational research in the Philippines, focusing on training, capacity building, and strengthening networks and programs. 

These efforts aim to expand PLRN’s reach and inspire more Filipino researchers to contribute to liver research.