By Janafae D. Mallorca

CPU BS Biology students received a thesis grant from DOST-PCHRD.

The thesis research group of BS Biology, comprising 4th-year students Mia Rose B. Vergara, Alleiah John G. Gumban, and Rina Jane Lumawag from the Life Science Department under the College of Arts and Sciences, is the first group from Western Visayas to receive a thesis grant from the DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development under its Natural Products Program. Their study, entitled “Antiparasitic Activity of Ethanolic Extracts from Makabuhay (Tinospora rumphii Boerl) Stems and Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia seguine) Leaves Against Sea Lice (Lepeophtheirus spinifer Kirtisinghe) Infestation in Snubnose Pompano (Trachinotus blochii Lacepde),” is one of the 19 projects nationwide that received financial support amounting to P50,000.00.

On March 5, 2024, the Project Monitoring Team of DOST-PCHRD from Manila conducted an institutional visit to CPU to assess the progress of the research project. During the visit, the students made a presentation on the results of their study and the upcoming activities, as well as a report on the financial aspects of the project. The Project Monitoring Team also toured the laboratories and facilities of the University Research Development Center.\

Together with the student-grantees, the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Stella G. Fernandez; the OIC chairperson of the Life Sciences Department, Professor Jayvee Jore; and the Thesis Adviser, Dr. Evelyn Grace D. Ayson, joined the meeting with the Project Monitoring Team.

May this opportunity granted to the students open more doors for future researchers of Central Philippine University, as well as collaborations with DOST.