DELA CRUZ, Thomas Edison E.

DELA CRUZ, Thomas Edison A.

An exemplary educator, an outstanding young scientist, and a science advocate, Dr. dela Cruz holds the rank of Professor 5, the highest academic rank at the University of Santo Tomas. He received this rank in 2016 at the age of 41, the youngest faculty member then to have received this position. Following completion of his doctorate study in 2006, Dr. dela Cruz established the Fungal Biodiversity, Ecogenomics, and Systematics (FBeS) group at the UST Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences.

His researches focus on the identification and discovery of fungi, including lichens and the fungus-like protists, slime molds (or myxomycetes), in under-explored microhabitats in tropical ecosystems. These are done through a polyphasic approach of morphocultural, physiological and genomics/phylogenetic (DNA barcoding) methods and the understanding of their biodiversity, ecological patterns and interactions through culture-dependent and culture-independent (metabarcoding) approaches in response to emerging and novel contaminants (microplastics and other chemical-based pollutants) and to changing landscapes brought about by man-made activities (habitat fragmentation) and natural hazards (typhoons, volcanic activities). He also conducts researches on the natural products of fungi for drug discovery and novel agro-chemicals and on ethnomycology and microbiology education.

To date, his group has published 76 technical papers, 5 teaching strategies in microbiology, 2 book chapters, 2 viewpoints and an online instructional material. He has supervised 40 BS theses, 40 MS theses, and 8 PhD dissertations. Dr. dela Cruz is also actively engaged in various community outreach and in science education and promotion activities. He developed 2 activity booklets that introduce fungi to kids and facilitated the Expedition Mundus game that allows kids to experience how to be a scientist. He organized training courses that teaches basic techniques in microbiology and research to high school teachers and students.

Dr. dela Cruz completed his Doctor of Natural Sciences (Dr. Rer. Nat.) at the Technical University Braunschweig in Germany and his BSc Microbiology and MSc Biological Sciences degrees at the University of Santo Tomas. He holds a Diploma in Science Teaching at UP Open University. Dr. dela Cruz was one of ten Outstanding Teachers of the Philippines in 2015 and one of ten Outstanding Young Scientists of the Philippines in 2012. The American Society for Microbiology awarded him the ASM Graduate Microbiology Teaching Award (2017), while the Philippine Society for Microbiology recognized him as Outstanding Microbiologist (2019). He serves as Philippine Representative to the Asian Mycology Committee from 2007 to present. He is a fellow of the Philippine Academy of Microbiology, the Indian Mycological Society, and the Global Young Academy.

Updates

Academic Qualifications

Research Highlights

Research Interests

Academic Qualifications

Degrees

  • Doctor of Natural Sciences, Technical University Braunschwela – Germany, 2006
  • Master of Science, University of Santo Tomas – Manila, Philippines, 1999
  • Bachelor of Science, University of Santo Tomas – Manila, Philippines, 1996

Research Highlights

  • Documenting Philippine fungal diversity and providing insights to the systematics and ecological patterns of fungi including lichens and slime molds
  • Discovery of fungi with bioactive secondary metabolites and extracellular enzymes for bioremediation/biotechnological applications
  • Development of photoguides and learning materials for kids for the promotion of science and biodiversity conservation awareness

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Research Interests

  • Fungal Systematics and Ecogenomics
  • Fungal Natural Products/Enzymes
  • Ethnomycology/Microbiology Education

Courses Handled

Major Recognitions

Professional Activities

Courses Handled

Graduate Level

  • Advanced Microbiology
  • Microbial Systematics and Evolution
  • Advanced Microbial Genetics
  • Advanced Microbial Ecology
  • Current Techniques in Microbiology
  • Environmental Microbiology
  • Biology of Myxomycetes

Undergraduate Level

  • General Biology (for non-Biology majors)
  • General Microbiology
  • Microbial Systematics and Evolution
  • Microbial Genetics
  • Microbial Ecology
  • Mycology
  • Cell and Molecular Biology

Major Recognitions

  • Philippine Society of Microbiology Outstanding Microbiologist, 2019
  • American Society of Microbiology Graduate Microbiology Teaching Award, 2017
  • TWAS-ROESEAP Young Affiliate, 2015
  • Metrobank Outstanding Teacher (Tertiary Level), 2015
  • TWAS Prize for Young Scientist (Biology), 2014
  • NAST Outstanding Young Scientist (Mycology), 2012

Professional Activities

  • Fellow — Global Young Academy (2015), Philippine Academy for Microbiology (2012), and Indian Mycological Society (2014)
  • Recipient — UNESCO MAB Young Scientist Research Award (2014), TWAS-CAS Fellowship for Young Scholars (2013), Fulbright Advanced Science Research and Lecturing Fellowship (2011), ASM UNESCO Leadership Grant for International Educators (2011), and Martin-Baker Research Award (2009)
  • Member — Asian Mycology Committee (2007-2015) and Department of Agriculture – Biotechnology Programme Technical Committee (2015-2017)
  • Reviewer — FEMS Microbiology Letters, Fungal Biology, Sydowia, Botanica Marina, and Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education
  • Delegate — World Science Forum (2015)

Selected Publications

Selected Publications