University News

Young scientists on the rise receive thesis grants from DOST

Jan Vincent Lanuza, News, Communication Management Office

Three BS Chemistry student-researcher groups from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) College of Science have been awarded undergraduate thesis grants in computation chemistry by the Department of Science and Technology – Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI), in recognition of their scientific innovation in computational research.

The funded studies include:

• “Multi-Scale Computational Modeling of Lysogenic Phage Therapy Against Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria,” led by Frederick Philps S. Batula and Kofi S. Regaspi, under the guidance of Dr. Erickson E. Fajiculay;
• “In Silico Screening of Tetrapeptides as C-Domain Selective ACE Inhibitors: Molecular Docking and Simulation Studies,” by Angela C. Agulto and Heart Ysebelle R. Basilonia, advised by Dr. Fajiculay and Al Vincent A. Jabines; and
• “In Silico Workflow for Anti-Virulence Peptide Design Targeting the B6R Protein of Monkeypox Virus,” spearheaded by Trisha Mae M. Lalemarmo and Mary Amethyst Tome, mentored by Dr. Fajiculay and Dr. Leana Rich H. Ong.

These studies stood out for their integration of computational science and molecular research to address pressing health and biomedical concerns.

Through this grant, the student-researchers gained access to vital support and state of the art computing facilities via DOST-ASTI’s Computing and Archiving Research Environment (COARE), HPC, and Science Cloud Services, allowing them to significantly enhance the quality and scope of their respective research works.

These opportunities underscore PUP’s continuous partnership with national research agencies like DOST to foster scientific discovery and innovation.

The Sintang Paaralan reaffirms its commitment to empowering young scientists to pursue high-impact and socially relevant studies aligned the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly No. 3 in Good Health and Well-Being, No. 4 in Quality Education, No. 11 in Sustainable Cities and Communities, and No. 17 in Partnership for the Goals. With this support, PUP continues to reinforce its research culture and contribute meaningfully to national and global scientific advancement.