The Metro Manila Health Research and Development Consortium (MMHRDC) invites you to its 6th MMHRDC International Symposium and 13th Annual Scientific Conference on November 24–25, 2022, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati Building – Auditorium, 12th/F. The symposium will be delivered in a HyFlex format.
The theme of this two-day symposium will be “Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Transformations and Innovations: Rethinking Practices and Strategies for a Resilient and Healthy Juan/Juana.”
UST Department of Biological Sciences Visiting Professor Rev. fr. Nicanor Pier Giorgio Austriaco, O.P., PhD, SThD will be the keynote lecturer in this symposium.
Day 1 – Session 1: Long COVID/Complications of COVID
Health experts will shed light on “Long COVID/Complications of COVID-19”. Research Center for Natural and Applied Science (RCNAS) researcher and UST Hospital Medical Consultant Assoc. Prof. Ma. Rhona G. Bergantin, M.D., M.Sc., FPCP, FPSMID will talk about the “Pulmonary Complications” of the said virus, while Dr. Ronald Estacio, OIC of the Philippine Heart Center – Department of Cardiology, will discuss the “Cardiac Complications.” Finally, Philippine General Hospital Neurologist Dr. Michelle Anlacan will discuss the “Neurological Complications” related to Long COVID.
Day 1 – Session 2: Engineering Innovation During the Pandemic
Prof. Angelo R. Dela Cruz, PhD, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and RCNAS researcher, will discuss the “Engineering Innovation during the Pandemic”.
Day 1 – Session 3: Guidelines in a Pandemic: What we have learned?
Director of MMHRDC Prof. Hilton Y. Lam, PhD will talk about the “National Pandemic Response Playbook”, while one of the UST Hospital’s infectious disease experts, Prof. Benjamin Co, MD, will talk about “Social Media and Health.” DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development Executive Director Dr. Jaime Montoya, PhD will talk about “International Collaboration in the COVID-19 Pandemic”.
Day 1 – Session 4: Interprofessional Education
Dr. Erlyn Sana, Chair Office of Research and Development of the National Teacher Training Center for the Health Professions – University of the Philippines – Manila, will talk about the “Interprofessional Education”.
Day 1 – Session 5: Challenges in Education and Health During the Pandemic
Adamson University – Junior High School Principal Mr. Daniel B. Saroca, Jr. PhD will talk about the challenges of learning in the Elementary and Junior High School level, while Commission On Higher Education – Assistant Chief Dr. Liza Magana will speak about the concerns at the collegiate level.
HST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery Dean Asst. Prof. Lourdes Maglinao, M.D., MHPEd will also tackle the “Medical and Paramedical Education” in this session.
Day 2 – Session 6: Changes in the Ethics and Research in the Pandemic
DOST-Balik Scientist and Faculty of Medicine & Surgery Visiting Professor Fidela L. Moreno, MD will discuss the “Changes in the Ethics and Research in the Pandemic”.
Day 2 – Session 7: Trends in Postgraduate Training in Health Sciences
Dr. Steve Milanese, Director of the International Center for Allied Health Evidence and a Visiting Professor, will talk about “PhD in Health Sciences: By Research/Scoping Review,” while Dr. Craig Lockwood of the University of Adelaide – Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences will tackle “MS in Implementation Science”, and, lastly, Dr. Nadine Jose of the Rutgers University will talk about “MS in Clinical Trials.”
Day 2 – Session 8: Functional Foods for COVID Infection
Capping the series of sessions, Dr. Myra Villareal, a DOST-Balik Scientist and a faculty member of University of Tsukuba – Life and Environmental Sciences Department, will share some nutritional tips in her lecture on “Functional Foods for COVID-19 Infection.”
Research paper presentations will follow after the sessions in two break-out rooms. Winners will be announced to cap the two-day symposium.
About MMHRDC
MMHRDC exemplifies partnerships and collaboration among member institutions fostering an active sense of community toward strengthening and sustaining networking within the NCR and with other local and international partners.
As of 2022, MMHRDC has 44 member institutions composed of 20 academic institutions, 9 medical centers and government and non-government agencies (private, NGOs, professional society). Over the years, MMHRDC has: provided Basic Research Training to young and budding health researchers; facilitate in the provision of research funding; showcased research, including lectures and research posters; capacitate institutions to attain PHREB accreditation; hosted scientific conventions and fora which allowed Filipino researchers and students to participate, learn and interact with other researchers and scientist in health research community.
