CAS USLS Natural Sciences Department

🎉 USLS-Herbanext Research Team Wins 1st Place at PSM Visayas 2025! 🧫

Lasallian Biologists' excellence shines at the 32nd Philippine Society for Microbiology (PSM) Visayas Scientific Meeting and Convention held on October 23–24, 2025, at the Iloilo Grand Hotel.

The DOST-funded PULSES Project of USLS, in collaboration with Herbanext Laboratories, won 1st Place – Outstanding Poster in the Basic and Industrial Microbiology Category for their study “Bacterial-Mediated Transformation of Phytochemical and Sensory Properties in Fermented Philippine Medicinal Herb.”
The winning poster was presented by Vermilah Despi and Jay Mark D. Guntalidad, both BS Biology alumni of USLS and Research Assistants under the PULSES Project.

Undergraduate Biology students also participated in the Food and Medical Microbiology Category with their research titled “Optimizing Fermentation Conditions of Visayan Shrimp Paste (Bagoong): Physicochemical, Sensory, and Microbial Evaluation of Claypot and Sack Fermentation.” The team is composed of Patricia Milet B. Tupaz, Daisy Cris V. Gentoleo, Babylyn M. Miraflores, and Aleya Mey J. Prino, under the guidance of Ms. Gabrielle Ann P. Parreño (Adviser) and Dr. Joval N. Martinez (Co-Adviser), in collaboration with Michael Vincent E. Chan, owner of Mom Rose Restaurant.

Congratulations to the team led by Dr. Joval N. Martinez and to all USLS Natural Sciences faculty, students, and alumni who proudly represented the University in this year’s PSM convention! 💚💛

Congratulations to our BS Biology students! 😘👏👏👏🎉🎉🎉

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Warmest congratulations to our BS Biology graduates, Jay Mark Guntalidad, Patricia Anne Bonda, Nicole Cañeda, and Huey Demiden, who won 2nd Place in the Scientific Poster Competition at the 2025 Annual Scientific Conference of the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) Visayas Cluster Assembly! 🏆

Their research, "First Report of the Bat Guano-Derived Streptomyces spp. from Obong Cave, Negros Occidental with Promising Activity Against ESKAPE Pathogens," highlights the potential of unexplored ecosystems like caves as a source of novel medicines. This discovery aligns with the One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. 🌿

This achievement showcases the power of collaboration and teamwork. We thank their advisers, Dr. Eva Grace Chavez, Dr. Joval Martinez, Dr. Alain Juayang of CLMMRH, Dr. Marian De Leon of UPLB and their panelists Ms. Lilian Planella and Sir Carl Seran, for their expert guidance and support. 🙏 We're also grateful to the Local Government of Hinobaan, Negros Occidental, for their valuable partnership in this research. 🤝

The findings of this study have significant implications for the development of new antimicrobial agents, underscoring the importance of preserving and exploring our natural environments for the benefit of human health. We couldn't be prouder of our students and their collaborators! 🎉

Strengthening our commitment to the Lasallian mission of environmental stewardship and safeguarding biodiversity, student researchers from the University of St. La Salle's (USLS) Biology Department actively participated in the floral and faunal assessment of the Cuernos de Negros Mountain Range in Mt. Talinis, Valencia, Negros Oriental from July 15–30.

In collaboration with the Philippines Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc. (PBCFI), Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) - Negros Oriental, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region VII, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) - Negros Oriental, Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), Negros Oriental State University (NORSU), and the Philippine Initiative for Conservation of Environment and the People, the team contributed significantly to documenting the mountain's rich biodiversity.

A remarkable record of 58 bird species, including threatened and endemic varieties, put the spotlight on the ecological importance of the area. The presence of endangered species such as the Negros Striped Babbler, Philippine Hawk-Owl, Tariktik Hornbill, and Flame-templed Babbler, alongside endemic species like the Philippine Serpent Eagle, Philippine Cuckoo Dove, Philippine Hanging Parrot, and Philippine Thicket Flycatcher, highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts.

After their field work, the team presented their data and findings at Valencia, Negros Oriental as part of their mission of bridging the academe with the general public.

This assessment is one major step towards establishing the Cuernos de Negros Mountain Range as a Protected Area. This ensures the protection of this natural treasure for future generations of Filipinos.

ANIMO! 4th Year Biology students Charles Gan, Jed Reysoma, Jules Garcia and Rien Nillos, with the supervision of Dr. Joval Martinez, was hailed as the Grand Winner in the Visayas Tech Plan Grand Prix spearheaded by Japanese organization, Leave a Nest Philippines with their study "Harnessing Hot Spring-Derived Thermophilic Bacteria as Phosphate Solubilizers for Enhanced Biofertilizer Development", held this August 10 at the Iloilo Convention Center. The University is proud of your achievement!

Madinalag-on nga nakuha sang apat ka fourth-year Bachelor of Science in Biology students ang kampeonato sa Visayas Tech Plan Grand Prix sa ila research study nga “Harnessing Hot Spring-Derived Thermophilic Bacteria as Phosphate Solubilizers for Enhanced Biofertilizer Development”, sini nga ika-10 sang Agosto sa Iloilo Convention Center.

Ang grupo nga ginabug-usan nanday Charles Gan, Jed Reysoma, Jules Garcia, kag Rien Nillos, kaupod ang ila manuglaygay nga si Dr. Joval Martinez, amu ang pinakauna nga nagdaog sa nasambit nga kompetisyon kag magadala pauli sang premyo nga ₱30,000.

Gin-organisar sang Japanese nga organisasyon nga Leave a Nest Philippines ang kahiwatan, kung sa diin siyam ka grupo sang mga manugpanalawsaw gikan sa bug-os nga Visayas ang nagpaindis-indis.

HALIN SA: USLS Biological Society

balita ni Jenny Millares | The Spectrum