Research Center for Natural and Applied Sciences
Overview
The UST Research Center for the Natural Sciences and Applied Sciences (RCNAS) functions as the Science and Technology research arm of the University. It brings together researchers of various disciplines namely, biology, chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, physics, engineering, pharmacy, and food technology – all working towards the objective of contributing to an improved quality of life and sustained viability of the environment.
Research Programs
Advanced and Nano Materials
New and nanostructured materials are developed and characterized for electrochemical energy conversion and storage management devices. The development of fuel cells with nanostructured catalyst allows the efficient conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy for possible applications in electronic devices and transportation. The development of supercapacitors with new electrode materials like conducting polymers and metal oxides with carbon support materials allows the storage of large amount of energy and discharge it quickly. Phase change materials (PCM) which are energy storage media are used as thermal storage devices for cooling or heating load management and augments the utilization of renewable but intermittent energy sources.
New polymers are developed and characterized for controlled drug delivery system that allow the prevention of drug toxicity and maximizes drug therapeutic effects.
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Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry |
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Master of Science in Chemical Engineering |
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CORPUZ, Lyn Marie D. Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Science and Engineering |
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Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering |
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LAPITAN, Lorico Jr. D.S. Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry |
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RAMIREZ, Felicidad Christina R. Master of Science in Chemistry |
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Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering, major in Applied Chemistry |
Biodiversity, Ecology, Systematics, and Taxonomy
The research program involves molecular systematics which complements the classical approaches to plant taxonomy; studies the history, distribution patterns of flora and fauna and provides mechanisms to evolution. The research thrust involves the discovery of new, rare and endemic species which in turn provides the program for conservation, protection and propagation of these species.
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ALEJANDRO, Grecebio Jonathan D. Doctor of Natural Sciences, major in Biology |
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Doctor of Philosophy, major in Aquatic Environmental Science |
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Doctor of Philosophy, major in Biological Sciences |
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Master of Science in Biology |
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JAVIER, Sonia N. Master of Science in Biology |
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MORAN, Cecilia B. Doctor of Natural Sciences, major in Biology |
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PAGULAYAN, Alicia Ely J. Master of Science in Biology |
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Doctor of Philosophy, major in Biological Sciences |
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Doctor of Philosophy in Marine Biology |
Chemical Sensors and Biosensors
The research program develops innovative analytical and sensing devices (i.e. optical, piezoelectric, chemoresistive and electrochemical) for food safety, environment, and health. This program includes the development of sensor materials for detection of mercury and volatile organic constituents (VOCs), sensors for fruit ripeness, coffee and rice varieties, mints and flavors.
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Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry |
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BERGANTIN, Jose Jr. H. Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry |
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Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry |
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Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry |
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Doctor of Philosophy in Instrumentation and Analytical Science |
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Doctor of Philosophy, major in Chemistry |
A peek into the Sensors Laboratory
Mathematics and Theoretical Physics
The research program deals with the use of mathematical analysis and multi-objective programming to solve problems related to life contingencies. Computational methods are used to generate new materials, such as nanoparticles and crystal structures with complex atom arrangement, and to determine entropies from atom trajectories of molecular dynamic simulations.
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ACULA, Donata C. |
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Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering |
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Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering |
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Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics |
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Doctor of Natural Sciences in Physics |
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Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Sciences |
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Master of Science in Mathematics |
Molecular Diagnostics and Therapeutics
The research program detects diseases based on DNA/RNA sequence techniques. A continuing interest is on allergy and cancer detection susceptibility and viruses detection and characterization, development and improvement of diagnostic kits for the early detection of viral infection in shrimps, cancer and allergy. The current research interests include the determination of atmospheric allergenic pollen, characterization of allergens from house dust mites, and White Spot Syndrome Virus.
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Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Sciences |
| DAYA, Minerva L. | |
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Master of Science in Biochemistry |
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Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Marine Sciences |
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Master of Science in Chemistry |
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Doctor of Philosophy, major in Biological Sciences |
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Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Biology / Immunology |
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Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry |
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Doctor of Philosophy, major in Molecular Biology |
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Doctor of Philosophy, major in Biological Sciences |
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Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Science |
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Master of Science in Biology |
Natural Products for Health and Wellness
Isolation and identification of chemical constituents from plants and microorganisms are undertaken for possible applications for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. Biological properties of constituents determined by specific bioassays include anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-diabetic and smooth muscle modulating effects.
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Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry |
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Doctor of Philosophy, major in Biological Sciences |
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Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacy |
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Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacy |
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Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacy |
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Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacy |
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Doctor of Natural Sciences |
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Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry |
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Master of Science |
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Doctor of Philosophy |
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Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences |
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Doctor of Philosophy, major in Biological Sciences |
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Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry |
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Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry |
Process Design, Intelligent and Embedded Systems, Automation
The research program includes food engineering, biomedical engineering, and electronics and systems operations.
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BAUTISTA, Anthony James C. Doctor of Technology |
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Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Electronics Engineering |
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Doctor of Philosophy in Food Technology |
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Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering |
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Doctor of Philosophy in Electronics and Communications Engineering |
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Master of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering |
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Doctor of Philosophy in Electronics Engineering |
Pure and Applied Microbiology
The research program studies the biodiversity of fungal endophytes, molecular detection of mycobacteria and bacteriophages. The current interest investigates the fungal endophytes as source of potential bioactives for therapeutics and the development of bacteriophages as targeted therapeutic agents.
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Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Biotechnology |
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Master of Science in Microbiology |
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Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Chemistry, major in Applied Microbial Technology |
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Doctor of Natural Science in Microbiology |
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Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Sciences |
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Doctor of Philosophy in Marine Science |
Research Journal
The ACTA MANILANA is the official publication of the Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences of the University of Santo Tomas. It is a multidisciplinary journal dedicated to cover research and development in all areas ofthe natural and applied sciences. It features research papers, short communications and review papers which have been peer-evaluated and recommended for publication. The journal is rated Category A-2 by the Commission on Higher Education.
Mission
The Research Center for the Natural & Applied Sciences
- promotes and facilitates the involvement of faculty members in the advancement, dissemination and utilization of knowledge in the field of science and technology for the improvement of society and the environment;
- establishes linkages with other institutions and fosters a free flow of knowledge to and from other sectors of the local and global community.
Vision
The Research Center for the Natural & Applied Sciences envisions itself
- as a community committed to a culture of excellence in research in the field of science and technology, and to the Christian aspirations of the University of Santo Tomas,
- highly productive and globally competitive in its scholarly endeavors, and
- deeply motivated to contribute significantly to national development.
Latest News and Events
Analytical Services Laboratory (ASL)
Prof. Christina A. Binag, PhD, Laboratory Manager
Ms. Junee Marie Clare Linsagan, Registered Chemist
Ms. Nina Caisido, Registered Chemist
Collection of Microbial Strains
Dr. Kim Hazel V. Arafiles, Curator
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
Asst. Prof. Franelyne Casuga, PhD, Chair
Prof. Christina A. Binag, PhD, Member
Asst. Prof. Mae Lowe Diesmos, MSc, Member
Asst. Prof. Catherine Carson, MSc, Member
Asst. Prof. Marilyn Ngo, MSc, Member
Dr. Daria Manalo, DVM, Institutional Veterinarian
Ms. Adelaida Rabe, Manila Resident and Community Representative
Institutional Biosafety Committee
Prof. Gina R. Dedeles, PhD, Chair
Prof. Maria Cristina R. Ramos, PhD, Member
Prof. Corazon A. Menguito, PhD, Member
Prof. John Donnie A. Ramos, PhD, Member
Prof. Raymond L. Rosales, MD, PhD, Member
Prof. Mafel C. Ysrael, PhD, Member
Assoc. Prof. Pia Marie S. Albano, PhD, Member
Asst. Prof. Donna May D. Papa, PhD, Member
Asst. Prof. Maria Ruth Pineda-Cortel, PhD, Member
Mr. Rolando Macapagal, Community Representative
Mr. Emilio Onnagan, Jr., Community Representative
Support Staff
| Ms. Gudelia R. Jimenez, Office Clerk | Ms. Marie Ginger A. Garay, Office Clerk | Mr. Marcelo A. Gazo, Utility Clerk |
| Mr. Francisco A. Arcangel, Janitor | Ms. Leticia Rascano, Janitress | Mr. Jhun Rey D. de Dios, Janitor |
History
The UST Research Center, better known as the Research Center for the Natural Sciences (RCNS), was conceived during the 350th Anniversary of the University and was confirmed on 31 March 1962 when its rules and regulations were approved by the Economic Council.
The Research Center’s main purpose was to give research opportunities to the faculty members of the University in an attempt to reinforce teaching capabilities with their research experience. Two major areas of exploration were initially considered, the Cultural Sciences and the Experimental Sciences. The only existing criterion for choice was “social significance.”
After years of operation, the Research Council realized that resources would be better maximized by focusing on projects under the umbrella of the Natural Sciences. So in 1986, with the approval of the Rector, the Center was renamed as the UST Research Center for the Natural Sciences. This Center operates independently from the other research entities of the university which have been set to cater to the other disciplines. To be able to bring the outputs of researches to the community and to the market for possible utilization and application, the University renamed it as Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences (RCNAS) in 2009.
RCNAS through five decades of existence. The productivity of the researchers in the various disciplines, the recognitions accorded the Center and research awards received for exemplary research from external agencies, both local and international, are the strengths of the Center that sustained it through the years. The strong ties the Center bridged among the local, national, and international partners marked the global acceptability of the Research Center and the researchers. The research grants received for the conduct of disciplined research in specific areas and patents awarded from products of research are the measures of trust and recognition the Center has from the local and international communities and Granting bodies.