Department of Biological Sciences

Department of Biological Sciences

Overview

Degree Programs

Contact Information

Overview

Contact Information

Vision, Mission & Goals

Recognitions

Updates

Vision, Mission & Goals

Vision

The Department of Biological Sciences of the University of Santo Tomas will be distinguished by the excellent delivery of courses in biology and by its national and international reputation in basic and applied research and development, as well as its commitment to serve the community.

Mission

The Department of Biological Sciences of the University of Santo Tomas aims to prepare and train our students to become competent biologists in the theoretical and practical aspects of biology in order to enable them to carry out relevant researches and developmental works in response to local and global needs.

Goals

  1. To develop well-informed and responsible Christian professional biologists equipped with knowledge and skills to pursue careers in teaching, research and graduate studies in biology or related fields or venture in business
  2. To equip non-biology major with basic biological principles they can utilize in their own areas of interest
  3. To promote among the faculty members active research which can contribute to quality education and the advancement of science
  4. to participate in the national effort of protecting and conserving the environment by supporting activities such as reforestation, waste management and pollution control

Recognitions

Certified 
(Bachelor of Science in Biology)

Center of Excellence 

Level IV Accreditation 
(Bachelor of Science in Biology | Bachelor of Science in Microbiology)

Updates

Administrators and Faculty Members

Administrators and Faculty Members

Asst. Prof. Mae Lowe L. Diesmos, MSc

Coordinator, Medical Biology Cluster

Assoc. Prof. Ma. Sheila M. de Jesus, PhD

Coordinator, Microbiology and Biotechnology Cluster 

Inst. Niña Kathryn G. Alfeche, MSc

Coordinator, Organismic and Environmental Biology Cluster

Inst. Niño Andree Louis E. Caguimbal, MSc

Laboratory Supervisor

Inst. Gerald Thomas A. Soliven, MSc

Laboratory Supervisor

Inst. Eunice M. Aaron, MSc

Master of Science in Marine Biology

Inst. Justine Paolo B. Abengaña, MSc

Master of Science in Microbiology

Asst. Prof. Jose Francis V. Abrantes, MSc

Master of Science in Microbiology

Prof. Pia Marie S.P. Albano, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Sciences

Prof. Grecebio Jonathan D. Alejandro, Dr. rer. nat.

Doctor of Natural Sciences in Biology

Inst. Niña Kathryn G. Alfeche, MSc

Master of Science in Biology

Asst. Prof. Kim Hazel V. Arafiles, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Biology

Asst. Prof. Melanie M. Arbias, MSc

Master of Science in Environmental Science

Master of Science in Forestry, major in Forest Resources Management

Rev. fr. Nicanor Pier Giorgio Austriaco, O.P., PhD, SThD

Doctor of Philosophy in Biology

Doctor of Sacred Theology

Prof. Marieta C. Baysa, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy in Biology

Asst. Prof. Reuel M. Bennett, Dr. rer. nat.

Doctor of Philosophy in Natural Sciences, with Speciality in Biology

Inst. Sam Dominic A. Binag, MSc

Master of Science in Biology

Inst. Niño Andree Louis E. Caguimbal, MSc

Master of Science in Biological Sciences

Inst. Daniel Albert E. Castillo, MSc

Master of Science, major in Biological Sciences

Asst. Prof. Aimee Caye G. Chang, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Asst. Prof. Jayson G. Chavez, Dr. rer. nat.

Doctor of Natural Sciences in Biology

Inst. Mariella S. Cobarrubias, MSc

Master of Science in Biology

Asst. Prof. Aldrin J. Corañez, MD

Doctor of Medicine

Inst. Genea Nichole Cortez, MSc

Master of Science in Biology

Assoc. Prof. Ma. Sheila M. de Jesus, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Sciences

Inst. Justine R. De Leon, MSc

Master of Science in Biological Sciences

Prof. Gina R. Dedeles, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Microbial Technology

Prof. Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz, Dr. rer. nat.

Doctor of Natural Sciences, major in Microbiology

Asst. Prof. Mae Lowe L. Diesmos, MSc

Master of Science in Biology

Inst. Maria Isabella J. Escobar, MSc

Master of Science in Biological Sciences

Inst. Joahnna P. Esguerra, MD

Master in Health Science (Health Informatics)

Master in Public Health (Epidemiology)

Doctor of Medicine and Surgery

Inst. Jose Mari B. Garcia, MD

Doctor of Medicine

Prof. Maria Rosario Virginia C. Garcia, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy in Science Education, major in Biology

Prof. Moises Norman Z. Garcia, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy in Science Education, major in Biology

Inst. Allan Gilles Jr., MSc

Master of Science in Biology

 

Asst. Prof. Shea Kathleen P. Guinto, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy, major in Biological Sciences

Inst. Tracey Anteus D. Gutierrez, MSc

Master of Science major in Microbiology

Asst. Prof. Hao Wei Hsu-Yap, MSc

Master of Science in Biological Sciences

Asst. Prof. Racquel C. Layco, MA

Master in Chemistry Education

Inst. Carl Jay D. Laurenciano, MSc

Master of Science in Biological Engineering

Adjunct Professor Antonio D. Ligsay, MD, PhD

Doctor of Medicine

Doctor of Philosophy, major in Biological Sciences

Inst. Antonio N. Lorenzo II, MSc

 Master of Science in Biological Sciences

Asst. Prof. Sittie Aisha B. Macabago, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy in Biology

Prof. Mary Beth B. Maningas, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Marine Biosciences

Inst. Joe Anthony H. Manzano, MSc

Master of Science major in Biology

Assoc. Prof. Loida R. Medina, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy, major in Biological Sciences

Prof. Cecilia B. Moran, Dr. rer. nat.

Doctor of Natural Sciences, major in Biology

Inst. Eiana Joshier A. Odulio, MSc

Master of Science major in Biology

Asst. Prof. Jose Tolentino  D.C. Olivar II, MAEd.

Master of Arts in Education, major in Curriculum Studies

Mr. Jorge Anton D. Ordas, MSc

Master of Science in Biological Sciences

Asst. Prof. Jaycee Augusto G. Paguirigan, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy in Education, major in Science Education

Asst. Prof. Crisencio M. Paner, MSc

Master of Science in Microbiology

Prof. Donna May D.C. Papa, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy, major in Biological Sciences

Prof. Rey Donne S. Papa, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy, major in Biological Sciences

Assoc. Prof. Richard Thomas B. Pavia, Jr, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy in Marine Biology

Inst. Armeo Eugenio SPeñafiel Jr., MD

Doctor of Medicine 

Inst. Elfritzson M. Peralta, MSc

Master of Science in Biology

Prof. John Donnie A. Ramos, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Biology / Immunology

Inst. Lorenz Rhuel P. Ragasa, MS

Master of Science in Biology

Inst. Joseph B. Rasalan, MSc

Master of Science in Forestry

Assoc. Prof. Marilyn G. Rimando, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Biology

Prof. Maureen B. Sabit, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy, major in Biological Sciences

Inst. Kenneth Xavier O. Sanchez, MSc

Master of Science in Biology

Assoc. Prof. Mary Ann G. Santos, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy in Marine Science

Inst. Gabino E. Santos, MSc

Master of Science in Microbiology

Inst. Ramon Arvin Noriel B. Santos, MSc

Master of Science in Microbiology

Inst. Karlo Angelo S. Serrano, MD

Doctor of Medicine

Inst. Gerald Thomas A. Soliven, MSc

Master of Science in Biological Sciences

Asst. Prof. Dino T. Tordesillas, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Science

Inst. Propa Joy Santor-Venturina, MSc

Master of Science in Biological Sciences

Inst. Russell Evan L. Venturina, MSc

Master of Science in Biological Sciences

Inst. Carmela Vannette B. Vicera, MSc

Master of Science in Microbiology

Visiting Professors

Visiting Professors

Prof. Edgar V. Lerma, MD

Doctor of Medicine

Asst. Prof. Karin Tsuchida, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Sciences

Assoc. Prof. Lorenzo
Vilizzi, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy in Aquatic Sciences

Honorary Professors

Honorary Professors

Prof. Takashi Okamoto, MD, PhD

Doctor of Medicine

History

History

The Department of Biological Sciences of the University of Santo Tomas started as the Department of Zoology of the former College of Liberal Arts. It provided the basic requirements for Biology in the Bachelor of Arts program as well as the Associate in Arts program, a two-year requisite in Pre-Law and Pre-Medicine. The existing interest in the objectives of the department led to the development of the B.S. Zoology program. Six graduates received the B.S. from 1936 to 1948. The first batch of post-war Majors in Zoology was granted their degrees in 1949. 

The department continuously stirred great interest in this field of study as proven by the consistently increasing enrollment in the years that followed. The pre-medicine program was strengthened in Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, and Animal Sciences. This led to the development of the four-year B.S. General Curriculum. It was in the late 1970’s that the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sports issued a directive that the B.S. General program be further infused with more dynamic sciences such as Ecology and Biostatistics. This eventually led to the evolution of the B.S. Biology program in the late 1980’s, hence, transforming the Department of Zoology into the Department of Biological Sciences. Now, the department is the largest in the College of Science in terms of student and faculty population. It is also a university-wide service department for Science, Technology and Society course and other related general education courses. 

Since its inception, the Department has been a witness to many changes and milestones. In 1979, the Department was the first in the Philippines to offer a B.S. Microbiology program making UST the only Philippine university offering the said degree. The department was likewise granted the status “Center of Development” (2006) and “Center of Excellence” (2010) in Biology by the Commission on Higher Education. The department boasts of having the greatest number of PhD holders among the four departments in the college. Its Biology program has been certified by the ASEAN Universities Network Quality Assurance (AUN-QA) in 2017.