ERMITA, MANILA- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will renew its partnership with the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) through the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the MD-PhD Molecular Medicine Program on 21 September 2016 at Jade Vine Restaurant. Part of the event is the recognition of Batch 6 Program Mentors.

The MD-PhD Molecular Medicine Program is a joint initiative of DOST, through the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), and UPM, through the College of Medicine, to train aspiring physician-scientists for careers dedicated to the advancement of health through biomedical research.

Being the first and pioneering degree program in the country which offers dual MD-PhD course, the MD-PhD Molecular Medicine Program prepares scholars to assume key leadership roles within the academic community and mentor physician-scientists in training.

“The Program also hopes to promote a self-sustaining process whereby new knowledge is continuously generated, applied, and transmitted to meet emerging and anticipated health needs,” Dr. Jaime Montoya, PCHRD Executive Director, explained. This year, 10 scholars were qualified for the program.

Likewise, the eight faculty members who will be recognized are Dr. Francisco Heralde, Dr. Paul Mark Medina, Dr. Catherine Lynn Silao, Dr. Leslie Michelle Dalmacio, Dr. Isidro Sia, Dr. Gracia Fe Yu, Dr. Lydia Leonardo, and Dr. Salvador Eugenio Caoili.