​Dr. Jonel P. Saludes recently received the prestigious 2020 Gregorio Zara Award for Basic Research given by the Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology (PhilAAST) during its Virtual Annual Conference on September 8, 2020. This recognition was given to Dr. Saludes for his extensive research track record in drug discovery, significant contributions to boost the science, technology and innovation in the countryside and an excellent role model for the next generation of scientists and researchers. There were seven awardees from different academic and research institutions in the country who were chosen for their excellent contributions in the field of medicine, engineering, agriculture, and environment. Dr. Saludes was the only awardee from the Visayas and Mindanao area.  This is the first PhilAAST award received by a professor from University of San Agustin. 

The Gregorio Y. Zara Award for Basic Science Research was established by the Zara Family and PhiAAST in 1968 to honor one of the most outstanding National Scientists of the Philippines and to serve as an inspiration for Filipino scientists and researchers. It is named after National Scientist Gregorio Y. Zara, who was known for his advances in aeronautics, and engineering. He is best known for inventing a two-way videophone in 1955, contributions to solar energy technology, and is credited for discovering the "Zara effect," or the physical law of electrical kinetic resistance, among others. The PhilAAST is a non-stock and non-profit scholarly organization aimed to promote and broaden the base of scientific advancement in the country.
 
Dr. Jonel P. Saludes earned his basic education at University of Mindanao and then graduated with a Bachelors degree in Chemistry from University of San Agustin (Cum
Laude). He earned his MS Chemistry from University of Santo Tomas (Summa Cum Laude) under the mentorship of Dr. Alicia M. Aguinaldo, where he was dubbed the “Noni
guy” for his original contribution in the molecular level understanding of the antitubercular benefits of Morinda citrifolia. He was awarded a fellowship by UNESCO under the supervision of Dr. Mary J. Garson at University of Queensland, Australia, then received further training in marine natural products drug discovery from Dr. Ted Molinski at University of California San Diego.
 
At University of California Davis, Dr. Saludes earned a PhD in Organic Chemistry under
the mentorship of Dr. Jacquelyn Gervay-Hague, Fellow of the American Association for
the Advancement of Science. Using extensive 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance
(NMR) spectroscopy, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and computational structural biology, he demonstrated the stable structure of new peptides that serve as biomarker of
several human cancers. He pursued a postdoctoral training in chemical biology at University of Colorado under the supervision of Dr. Hubert Yin, where he studied synthetic peptides that detect nanoparticles involved in cell signaling and cancer metastasis. He pursued his independent academic career at Washington State University, where he developed ExoCAR, a nanoparticle capture technology, and SialoPen, a new class of drug delivery agent.
 
Dr. Saludes returned to the Philippines in 2015 as a DOST Balik Scientist Awardee assigned at University of San Agustin, where he is currently a Professor of Chemistry, and then became the Director of the Center for Natural Drug Discovery and Development (CND3) in 2018. As the Project Leader of 5 and Co-Investigator of 7 research projects supported by DOST (PCHRD, CRADLE, and NRCP) as well as by USAID STRIDE, his research projects have received substantial grant awards for the past three-and-a-half years. Reviving his passion for natural products from Philippine resources in combination with peptide science expertise that will benefit the Filipino people, the long-term goals of his research program are the following:

1. Antibiotic and anti-cancer drug discovery from natural products
2. Validation and standardization of functional foods such as pineapple, turmeric, and tawa-tawa to support the manufacture of commercially available products
3. Design of synthetic peptides as antibiotics, drug delivery agents, and cell-signaling sensors

 
Dr. Saludes also serves as the Associate Vice President of University of Dr. Saludes also serves as the Associate Vice President of University of San Agustin’s Office of Research and Global Relations (ORGR) since November 2015, where he created Global Initiatives 2020 (GI2020), the road map for sustainable R&D program of the university. In a period of three years, he established the following: Center for Chemical Biology, Biotechnology (C2B2): the hub of life science, chemical biology, and biotechnology research; Center for Natural Drug Discovery and Development (CND3): the home of DOST Tuklas Lunas Center in Western Visayas; and the Center for Heritage and Indigenous Culture (CHIC): the resource in the preservation and enrichment of Filipino culture, heritage, indigenous identity and Augustinian heritage and legacy. In response to the 4th Industrial Revolution, he opened the Center for Informatics (CFI) in July 2019, the first research center in the Philippine countryside solely dedicated to data analytics and medical and bio- and chemo-informatics. The above 4 research centers are led by experts who earned their doctorate degrees abroad and are highly respected by their peers.
 
Further, through the leadership of Dr. Saludes, 42 formal partnerships were established
by University of San Agustin with universities in the Philippines, Asia, Europe, and North
America, as well as with leading corporate brands including Del Monte, Shimadzu Corporation, Merck Inc., Waters Corporation, Herbanext Laboratories, Maridan Industries, RainPhil Inc., Omnibus Biomedical, The Medical City-Ortigas, and The Medical City-Iloilo.
 
 

​The University of San Agustin in Iloilo City, Philippines, exhibits resiliency during this CoVid-19 pandemic as its administrators decided to change the learning modality to flexible learning. Over the nearly 116 years of its existence, this is the first time that the University will operate online - may it be on admission, enrollment, instruction, religious activities, student services, and activities.
Although the University adheres to the "new normal" set for schools, it does not forget to acknowledge that disparity exists among its student population. Thus, the University provides alternatives for students who have limited to no connectivity in transactions and modes of learning.
The faculty members in all levels are now preparing for the new norm in teaching. The academic personnel underwent training and workshop for them to accustom themselves with online educational tools that will be helpful for them to deliver synchronous and asynchronous classes.
In terms of facilities, some of the usual classrooms are now being prepared as e-classrooms. They will be used by faculty as virtual learning rooms as they facilitate classes if, they, too, have limited or no connectivity at home, and if they lack personal devices. Health protocols are in place to ensure decontamination of facilities and work areas.
As part of its quality assurance of its flexible learning, the University established a Center for Information Support Services (CISS) and an Educational Technology Office to assist the academic units in the smooth delivery of instructions to its learners.
As the University of San Agustin celebrates its 116th foundation anniversary this July 15, it is hopeful that it can exist for another 116 years or even beyond.
 
/hbangero

​Dr. Doralyn S. Dalisay, Director of the Center for Chemical Biology and Biotechnology of University of San Agustin (USA) is the recipient of the prestigious 2019 NRCP Achievement Award for the Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences. The award was given today, June 30, 2020, during the virtual NRCP Annual Scientific Conference and 87th General Membership assembly that was attended by nearly 1000 NRCP members from various parts of the country and the world. Further, this award is a milestone for USA because this is the first time that the Department of Science and Technology – National Research Council of the Philippines (DOST-NRCP) recognized the quality and national competitiveness and of the research achievements of a USA faculty member. Created in 1933, DOST-NRCP is the oldest collegial body in science, technology, and the arts in the Philippines and in Asia.
 
Dr. Dalisay is renowned for her pioneering work on biodiversity, chemodiversity, and bioactivity of marine sediment-derived actinobacteria collected from as far north as Batanes to Davao Oriental in the southeastern tip of the Philippine archipelago. Her NRCP-funded research project produced a library consisting of more than 3,000 diverse marine sediment-derived actinobacteria that serves as a biobank of natural compounds for development into antibiotic and anticancer agents. Dr. Dalisay is also a DOST Balik Scientist Awardee and the current Chair of NRCP Visayas Regional Cluster.
 
The NRCP Achievement Awards, which began in 1979, honor many outstanding Filipino scientists and researchers based on their productivity and quality of scholarly work. The research field must fall under the following categories: government, educational and international policy, medical science, pharmaceutical science, mathematical science, biological science, agriculture and forestry, engineering and industrial research, chemical science, humanities, earth and space science, and veterinary medicine. The other recipients for this year’s awards come from Philippine Normal University, UP Diliman, Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, Philippine Rice Research Institute, Cebu Technological University, and UP Los Baños.

“Any individual can make it in the real world with the right education and training,” said Dr. Henry O. Chusuey.
The University of San Agustin held the blessing of its newest building - the USA Dr. Henry O. Chusuey International Center yesterday, 7 March 2020, at the Hotel Sta. Monica, University of San Agustin, Jalandoni St., Iloilo City. The event was graced by the benefactor of the building, Dr. Henry O. Chusuey, and his family and friends.
Chusuey is an internationally-acclaimed hotelier in the country being the chairman of the Hennan Group of Resorts in Boracay, Bohol, and Palawan.​

​Mrs. Rhoda Garzon Campillan, Academic Supervisor of AB Communication of the College of Liberal Arts, Sciences and Education won the EXCELLENT PAPER AWARD in the recently concluded International Academy of Science, Technology, Engineering and Management:  International Conference on Social Science and Humanities on July 4-5, 2019, at Seoul, South Korea. She triumphed over other researchers from National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, University of Guam, Tokushima University Japan, Arizona State University, and National Taipei University of Education. Mrs. Campillan presented her paper on Difficulties in Research Writing Among Communication Students in a Private University. She received a certificate, trophy, and medal for this meritorious award. According to Conferences Asia, “The award reflects the endless efforts of the winners in the academic arena.”
The goal of IASTEM Conference is to promote and enhance the dialogue in education among the institutions devoted to Science and Engineering fields through the promotion of best-practice standards in the service of international education; facilitation of relevant forums, training, and information exchange; creation and dissemination of knowledge; exert an influence in public policy and production of publications used as a database document for research works, projects and innovation activities held on the international education field.
Campillan is just one of the faculty members of the University of San Agustin who is pursuing research for the common good.

Recognizing the active role of mass media in Western Visayas, the University of San Agustin held the 1st SanAg Media Awards last Saturday, May 18, 2019. The award is given to ten media outfits which the University has been partners with to bringing Iloilo City and Western Visayas to the forefront of being a provider of an excellent education.
This year’s recipient of the SanAg Media Awards are The Daily Guardian, ABS-CBN TV-10 Iloilo, Manila Bulletin, DYSI Super Radyo, Panay News, Manila Bulletin, GMA Network, Inc. - TV 6, Aksyon Radyo Iloilo, Bombo Radyo Iloilo, and Radyo Pilipinas Iloilo. The awards were received by media personalities during the awarding ceremony at the Dolce Garcia Conference Room, University of San Agustin, Iloilo City.
Other representatives from the Iloilo Metropolitan Times, Philippine News Agency, and USA Publications were in attendance. One of the best features of SanAg Media Awards is a Talk on Stress Management among Media Men delivered by an expert in psychology and psychotherapy - Dr. Alda Perlita Polestico. Salient issues confronting the members of the fourth estate were discussed and given utmost attention.
SanAg Media Awards is a project initiated by the Philanthropic, External and Alumni Relations Office in cooperation with the AB Communication program of the College of Liberal Arts, Sciences and Education.

​After stages of screening, evaluation and final selection of the qualified nominees, Dr. Doralyn S. Dalisay was named the “2019 Outstanding Professional of the Year in the field of Pharmacy”, a recognition awarded by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). She brought honor and pride to the University of San Agustin as she is the first Augustinian Pharmacist to receive the award.
The “Outstanding Professional of the Year Award” is the highest award bestowed by PRC upon a professional for having sufficiently demonstrated competence of the highest degree, professional integrity, significant contribution to the advancement of the profession and with a meaningful contribution in society and country. The conferment of this award began in 1997 and is the highlight of the PRC Anniversary Celebration and the Professional Regulation Week is observed every year from June 16 to 22.
Dr. Doralyn Dalisay graduated from the University of San Agustin, Iloilo with a degree in Pharmacy (Cum Laude) and earned her Master of Science in Biology at the University of the Philippines in the Visayas. She obtained her Ph.D. in Microbiology at the University of New South Wales, Australia. She received a postdoctoral fellowship to specialize on marine natural products chemistry at the University of California, San Diego, USA. Dr. Dalisay has been engaged in several drug discovery scientific research undertakings at University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada and Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA. Her research leads to the discovery of 25 novel antifungal and anticancer compounds from rare marine invertebrates and marine sediment-derived microorganisms. These compounds have attracted the interest of the scientific community because of their novelty and potential as drug leads. She also holds two US patents on the use of a marine natural product for fungal infections and cancer.
Dr. Dalisay returned to the Philippines as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Balik Scientist in June 2015 to establish a research program on natural products drug discovery at the Center for Chemical Biology and Biotechnology (C2B2) in University of San Agustin. She is a pioneering pharmacist and scientist to work on the biodiversity, biological activities, and chemistry of marine sediment-derived actinobacteria from Philippine archipelago that could one day help to find new antibiotics and potentially address the problem of drug-resistant pathogenic bacteria.
Dr. Dalisay has worked extensively on the development of culture dependent strategies to access the vast biodiverse actinobacteria from different environmental samples in the Philippines. Her research group explored the Philippine archipelago for the presence of promising actinobacteria found in the marine sediment samples collected in different islands in the country. Her laboratory at C2B2 now houses a library of more than 3,000 highly diverse marine sediment-derived actinobacteria isolates that serves as “BioBank for Drug Discovery Research” in the country.
Dr. Dalisay has published research on drug discovery in high impact journals. Her publication received more than 2000 citations. She has won a number of awards in recognition for her research, publications, and patents. She was awarded as The Outstanding Pharmacist, TOP Award in Research by Philippine Pharmacists Association in 2016. She was recently conferred as Diplomate of the Philippine Academy for Microbiology. Her research program on drug discovery at the University of San Agustin is supported by the National Research Council of the Philippines-Department of Science and Technology (NRCP-DOST), Philippine Council for Health Research and Development-Department of Science and Technology (PCHRD-DOST), United States Agency for International Development, Science, Technology, Research, and Innovation for Development (USAID-STRIDE) Program and the University of San Agustin.
Dr. Dalisay will receive the Outstanding Professional of the Year Award on June 20 at Fiesta Pavilion, Manila Hotel during the PRC Anniversary Celebration.

Dr. Doralyn S. Dalisay, first Augustinian Pharmacist to receive the Outstanding Professional of the Year Award in the Field of Pharmacy.

With the Screening Committee for Final Selection and Deliberation last May 9, 2019. (L-R) Dr. Maria Liza C. Centeno (Foundation of Outstanding Professionals, FOP), Hon. Paraluman R. Giron (Philippine Association of Professional Regulatory Boards, PAPRB), Hon. Yolanda D. Reyes (PRC Commissioner), Dr. Doralyn S. Dalisay (University of San Agustin, USA), Hon. Mildred B. Oliveros (Professional Regulatory Board of Pharmacy, PRB) and Hon. Reynaldo Umali (Professional Regulation Commission, PRC).

​Join the University of San Agustin College of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Education (CLASE) and Graduate Program in collaboration with Third Wave Health and Education Specialists, Inc., in a seminar-workshop entitled: “Teaching Difficult Topics and Skills in English, Science, and Mathematics” (with 15 CPD Units) on May 16-18, 2019 at the University of San Agustin.


For reservations, kindly fill up the attached Word document and contact Mr. James V. Pedregosa, Academic Supervisor of Education and Graduate Programs at 09165257599 or jpedregosa@usa.edu.ph, Dr. Rhodora A. Cartagena, Academic Supervisor of Mathematics at 09178280185/ 09096207595 or rcartagena@usa.edu.ph, and Dr. Ma. Delsa P. Gange, Academic Supervisor of Biology at 09209659451 or mgange@usa.edu.ph.