Under the auspices of the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s New Southbound 2.0 Program, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital has been proactively involved in “New Southbound Medical and Health Cooperation and Industrial Chain Development.” A pivotal development occurred in 2023 when the hospital facilitated the establishment of the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Chongren General Hospital in the Philippines. This strategic move has laid the foundation for a multinational clinical trial program, which commenced in mid-October, carried out in close collaboration with the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines. This comprehensive program not only involves imparting technical training to the Philippine medical and research team but also encompasses the creation of a DNA database, with the overarching aim of advancing the treatment of telomere-related diseases.

Dr. Shang-Hsien Yang, who conducted extensive research on bone marrow failure syndrome at Boston Children’s Hospital in the United States, played a pivotal role in establishing the technical platform for telomere-related research. Under his guidance and with support from Cheng Yoong Pang, Deputy Director of the Department of Medical Research, and Dr. Liuh-Yow Chen, Associate Research Fellow at the Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, this international clinical trial collaboration program with the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines became a reality.

Director Li emphasized the growing importance of cross-border clinical trials by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. He underscored the rarity of clinical trial cooperation between Taiwan and the Philippines, making this partnership a significant achievement.

Relatedly, the “Telomere Clinical Research and Taiwan Medical Humanities Exchange Workshop” took place at Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital and Medical Center in Hualien City, Taiwan, from October 10 to 16, 2023. The inaugural ceremony gathered a distinguished assembly of key figures in the medical field. UST participants in the said workshop included Prof. Pia Marie Albano, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof. Maureen Sabit, Ph.D. and Ms. Mariella Cielo Cobarrubias, M.Sc. – academic staff of the UST Department of Biological Sciences, BS Biology alumnus Jerome Alfred Tabajonda, and Dr. Flordeluna Zapata-Mesina, a hematologic oncologist from the University of Santo Tomas Hospital. Their presence marked a historic moment in the burgeoning transnational medical collaboration between Taiwan and the Philippines.

Director Yang expressed optimism that the collaboration and hands-on laboratory work would foster mutual understanding between Taiwan and the Philippines, ensuring smoother cooperation in future clinical trials. Dr. Albano, renowned for her work in cancer research, aspired to uncover the link between telomeres and human health through future clinical trials, with the potential to advance cancer research. The workshop, spanning several days, included presentations on telomere research, laboratory training, and in-depth discussions with the Philippine team. This initiative holds the potential to advance our understanding of telomeres and their role in healthcare, ultimately benefiting patients and medical practitioners worldwide.

This cooperative endeavor not only signifies a rare instance of clinical trial cooperation between the two nations but also represents a significant step forward in the healthcare domain.

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The team of Professor Pia Marie S.P. Albano, PhD, Inst. Reuel M. Bennett, Dr. rer. nat., Asst. Prof. Nikki Heherson A. Dagamac, Dr. rer. nat., and Asst. Prof. Maureen B. Sabit, PhD, are conducting clinical validation studies funded by MiRXES (Singapore), in collaboration with UST and Singapore Diagnostics (Makati).

The use of the kits, specifically those using saliva samples, will eliminate the need for swabbers, thereby reducing time for the testing and the possible spread of infection, since the patients can self-collect the samples. According to the group, should the kits pass all validation tests, it can later “serve as a cheaper alternative to gene sequencing to track mutations that can impact the effectiveness of vaccines.” Albano, the lead proponent of the study, said that apart from confirming whether patients are Covid-19 positive or not, the positive samples can be analyzed for mutations, which “can identify the variants of concern.”

Albano disclosed that while the kits were already tested using “contrived samples,” further validation in clinical and community settings were required. They are thus “recruiting at least a thousand participants to see the kits’ diagnostic performance.” If found to be viable, the group and MiXRES will apply for approval from the Food and Drug Administration, which will allow the commercial distribution of the kits across India and Southeast Asia later on.

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The Gold and Silver Series awards are granted to faculty members in recognition of their research productivity and leadership in their respective fields of specialization within the period covered by the award. These awards are based on research publications (author by-line should indicate the University of Santo Tomas as address in the publication), ongoing research involvement, and tenure in the University.

The Gold Series

The awards, given every two years come in two categories: Research Category and Creative Works Category. The Gold Series Award Research Category is granted to tenured full-time faculty member with Ph.D. or M.D., with teaching load, and exclusively teaching in UST except for faculty affiliates of the UST Graduate School, authored at least five research papers published in refereed journals/ scholarly books in the last five years, with at least two of these published, one of which is an international (Web of Science/ Scopus) publication, or has one patent or utility model granted, within the period covered by the award, or, authored at least two scholarly books in the last five years, with one of these published within the period covered by the award, with ongoing research under the Research Center or Research Unit of the University, and, with at least one research disciple.

Under the Creative Works Category, the awardee should be a tenured full-time faculty member with Ph.D., with teaching load, and exclusively teaching in UST except for faculty affiliates of the UST Graduate School, authored at least three creative or critical works in the last five years, with at least one of these published within the period covered by the award, and, with ongoing studies (creative projects) under the Research Center or Research Unit of the University.

The Silver Series

Under the Research Category of the Silver Series, the award is given to tenured full-time faculty member with M.Sc. or M.A., with teaching load, and exclusively teaching in UST, must have authored at least three research papers published in refereed journals/scholarly books in the last five years, with at least one of these published, or has one patent or utility model granted, within the period covered by the award or, authored at least one scholarly book in the last five years published within the period covered by the award and, with ongoing research under the Research Center or Research Unit of the University. Under the Creative Works Category, the faculty member must be tenured full-time faculty member with M.Sc. or M.A., with teaching load, and exclusively teaching in UST, must have authored at least two creative or critical works in the last five years, with at least one of these was published within the period covered by the award, and, with ongoing studies (creative projects) under the Research Center or Research Unit of the University. A Research disciple refers to junior faculty members, graduate students, medical interns, and medical residents.

International Publications Award (2014–2017)

The International Publications Award is presented to all full time faculty members teaching only in UST for the publication of their research outputs in journal/s and books indexed in the Web of Science/ Scopus with IF Quartile Metrics Ranking. Author byline should indicate the University of Santo Tomas as address in the publication.

Arts & Humanities (8 awardees)

• (AB: Silver & IP)
• (AB: Gold)
• Asst. Prof. Jovito V. Cariño, Ph.D. (AB: Silver & IP)
• Prof. Franz Giuseppe F. Cortez, Ph.D. (AB: Silver & IP)
• (Education: Silver)
• (AB: Silver & IP)
• Asst. Prof. Roland Theuas D. Pada, Ph.D. (AB: IP)
• Prof. Ma. Luisa T. Reyes, Ph.D. (AB: IP)

Education & Social Sciences (32 awardees)

• Assoc. Prof. Mark Anthony D. Abenir, D.S.D. (AB: Silver & IP)
• Prof. Ma. Claudette A. Agnes, Ph.D. (Science: IP)
• Prof’l. Lect. Lucila O. Bance, Ph.D. (Science: Silver & IP)
• (AB: Gold & IP)
• (CRS: IP)
• (Commerce: IP)
• (Science: Silver & IP)
• (Commerce: Gold & IP)
• (Education: Gold & IP)
• Mr. Jommar A. de Guzman, M.D.C. (Commerce: IP)
• Prof’l. Lect. Rosalito G. de Guzman, Ph.D. (GS: IP)
• Prof. Rowena L. Escolar Chua, Ph.D. (Nursing: IP)
• Assoc. Prof’l. Lect. Amelita A. Gaerlan, Ph.D. (GS: IP)
• Assoc. Prof. Ma. Frieda Z. Hapan, Ph.D. (Pharmacy: IP)
• Assoc. Prof. Sr. Angelina M. Julom, Ph.D. (Science: Silver)
• (Commerce: IP)
• Prof. Maria Belinda S. Mandigma, Ph.D. (Commerce: Silver & IP)
• Asst. Prof. Evangeline T. Matienzo, M.A.N. (Nursing: IP)
• Asst. Prof. Florence C. Navidad, D.Ed. (Pharmacy: Silver)
• (CRS: IP)
• Asst. Prof. Jeremaiah M. Opiniano, M.P.S., M.A. (AB: Silver & IP)
• (Science: IP)
• Mr. Laurence Lloyd B. Parial, M.A.N. (Nursing: IP)
• Asst. Prof. Corazon F. Regacho, M.Sc. (Science: IP)
• Prof. Marc Eric S. Reyes, Ph.D. (Science: IP)
• Assoc. Prof. Portia Lynn Q. See, Ph.D. (Science: IP)
• Asst. Prof. Pia Patricia P. Tenedero, M.A.T. (AB: IP)
• Asst. Prof. Gian Carlo S. Torres, M.A.N. (Nursing: IP)
• Assoc. Prof. Marishirl P. Tropicales, Ph.D. (Education: IP)
• Prof. Chin Uy, Ph.D. (Commerce: IP)
• Asst. Prof. Les Paul M. Valdez, M.A.N. (Nursing: IP)
• (AB: Silver & IP)

Health & Allied Sciences (35 awardees)

• Mr. Franco Louie L. Abes, M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• Assoc. Prof. Encarnita R. Ampil, M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• Ms. Lara Mae A. Angeles, M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• Prof. Alejandro C. Baroque II, M.D. (Medicine: Gold & IP)
• Asst. Prof. Christine B. Bernal, M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• Assoc. Prof. David T. Bolong, M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• Assoc. Prof. Ma. Rosario F. Cabansag, M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• (Medicine: Gold & IP)
• Assoc. Prof. Benjamin S. Campomanes Jr., M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• Assoc. Prof. Melchor M. Chan, M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• Prof. Remedios D. Chan, M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• Assoc. Prof. Mary Anne D. Chiong, M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• Ms. Elaine C. Cunanan, M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• Assoc. Prof. Janine Margarita R. Dizon, Ph.D. (CRS: Gold & IP)
• Assoc. Prof. Ma. Victoria C. Dizon, M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• (CRS: Gold & IP)
• Mr. Frederick T. Dy, M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• (CRS: IP)
• Mr. Dennis S. Flores, Ph.D. (Medicine: IP)
• Prof. Maria Honolina S. Gomez, M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• Prof. Flerida G. Hernandez, M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• Prof. Reynaldo M. Javate, M.D. (Medicine: Gold & IP)
• Assoc. Prof. Sjoberg A. Kho, M.D. (Medicine: Gold & IP)
• Asst. Prof. Johnny K. Lokin, M.D. (CRS: IP)
• Mr. Erick S. Mendoza, M.D. (Medicine: Silver & IP)
• Prof. Leilani B. Mercado-Asis, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H. (Medicine: Gold & IP)
• Prof. Sandra Teresa V. Navarra, M.D. (Medicine: Gold & IP)
• Prof. Jose C. Navarro, M.D. (Medicine: Gold & IP)
• Prof. Narciso S. Navarro Jr., M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• Prof. Jocelyn C. Que, M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• Prof. Raymond L. Rosales, M.D., Ph.D. (Medicine: Gold & IP)
• Prof. Jose D. Sollano Jr., M.D. (Medicine: Gold & IP)
• (Medicine: Gold & IP)
• Assoc. Prof. Teresa T. Sy-Ortin, M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• Assoc. Prof. Ma. Irene B. Tangco, M.D. (Medicine: IP)

Science & Technology (42 awardees)

• (Science: Silver & IP)
• (Science: IP)
• (Science: IP)
• (Science: Gold & IP)
• Prof. Jovencio G. Apostol, Ph.D. (Pharmacy: IP)
• (Science: Gold & IP)
• (Science: Silver & IP)
• Prof. Aristea V. Bayquen, Ph.D. (Pharmacy: IP)
• (Engineering: Silver & IP)
• (Science: Gold & IP)
• (Science: IP)
• Asst. Prof. Renz Kenneth G. Cadiang, M.Sc. (Pharmacy: IP)
• (Pharmacy: Gold & IP)
• (Pharmacy: IP)
• Assoc. Prof. Gil A. Cauyan, M.Sc. (Science: Silver & IP)
• Ms. Stephanie L. Chua, M.Sc. (Pharmacy: IP)
• (Pharmacy: IP)
• (Science: Gold & IP)
• (Engineering: IP)
• (Science: Gold & IP)
• (Science: Silver & IP)
• (Engineering: IP)
• Mr. Justine M. Kalaw, M.Sc. (Science: IP)
• Mr. Lorico dlS. Lapitan Jr., M.Sc. (Engineering: IP)
• (Science: Gold & IP)
• (Science: Gold & IP)
• Asst. Prof. Loida R. Medina, Ph.D. (Science: IP)
• (Science: Gold & IP)
• (Science: Gold & IP)
• (Science: Gold & IP)
• Asst. Prof. Maureen B. Sabit, Ph.D. (Science: IP)
• (Science: Gold & IP)
• (Pharmacy: Gold & IP)
• (Pharmacy: Silver & IP)
• (Science: Gold & IP)
• Ms. Pamela Berilyn T. So, M.Sc. (Pharmacy: IP)
• (Science: Gold & IP)
• (Engineering: IP)
• (Science: Gold & IP)
• Asst. Prof. Ryan Rhay P. Vicerra, Ph.D. (Engineering: IP)
• (Science: Silver & IP)
• (GS: Silver)

Sacred Sciences (4 awardees)

• (EF: Gold)
• (AB: Silver)
• (AB: Silver)
• (IR: Silver)

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Presenting their papers are Science Dean , and researchers and

Presenting posters are , Jennifer Marles Yap and .

The symposium is a part of the implementing activities of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between UST and NCU. This is the 2nd joint symposium between the 2 universities; the first one was held in UST in 2013.

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