DLSU Environmental Biomonitoring Research Unit

[𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍]

A collaborative study led by 2nd year doctoral student, Ms. Jessamine Gail M. Inson, of the University of Yamanashi has been published in Food and Environmental Virology.

The paper investigates the behavioral differences of respiratory viruses, including COVID-19 and Influenza A virus, compared with enteric viruses such as Norovirus (GI and GII) in wastewater from a sewage treatment plant in the Philippines. The study also evaluates their behavior relative to indicator viruses, providing valuable insights for wastewater-based epidemiology and environmental monitoring.

This work is a collaboration between researchers from the University of Yamanashi and De La Salle University, bringing together their expertise in environmental engineering and virology.

Authors include:
Jessamine Gail M. Inson, Niva Sthapit, Bikash Malla, Shad Natthew S. Arce, Ma. Luisa D. Enriquez, Zeba F. Alam, and Eiji Haramoto.

The full paper may be viewed and downloaded in: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12560-026-09691-5

Strengthening international collaboration in environmental research, the De La Salle University Environmental Biomonitoring Research Unit (DLSU EBRU), led by Ms. Marigold O. Uba with Dr. Ma. Luisa D. Enriquez and research assistants Ms. Dominique Ma. Francesca A. Ybañez and Ms. Liah Mae M. Simballa, conducted a four-day research visit to Japan from March 3–6 in partnership with the University of Yamanashi and the University of Tokyo.

The team was welcomed by Prof. Eiji Haramoto, along with Ms. Jessamine Gail Inson and Mr. Jann Eldy Daquioag, who guided the Philippine researchers throughout the laboratory workshops and field activities. During the visit, they engaged in discussions on ongoing projects, exchanged methodologies, and formalized their partnership through the presentation of the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The visit included laboratory workshops featuring hands-on training in nucleic acid extraction and molecular analysis, as well as a field visit to the Kofu Wastewater Treatment Plant for wastewater sampling and in-situ analysis. Additional activities included a courtesy visit with Vice President Xiaoyang Mao of the University of Yamanashi, joint research seminars, and collaborative meetings with researchers from both the University of Yamanashi and the University of Tokyo, where the Philippine research team was introduced to various advanced research technologies.

This engagement strengthened research capabilities, fostered knowledge exchange, and reinforced international partnerships for future collaborative initiatives.

[EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY]

The Environmental Biomonitoring Research Unit (EBRU) is hiring for a research staff under the DOST-funded project "Assessment of Emerging Microbial Contaminants in the Aquatic Environment and Water/Wastewater Treatment Systems to Enhance Water Security and Public Health in the Philippines"

Job Position:

PROJECT TECHNICAL AIDE III

If you are interested, please send your CV and a Letter of Intent addressed to:

Ms. Marigold O. Uba
Project Leader
Environmental Biomonitoring Research Unit
Center for Natural Sciences and Environmental Research
De La Salle University

Ms. Dominique Ma. Francesca A. Ybañez
Project Technical Assistant II
Environmental Biomonitoring Research Unit
Center for Natural Sciences and Environmental Research
De La Salle University

Please send them to:
[email protected]

Please cc:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

DEADLINE OF APPLICATION: On or before January 31, 2026

𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟳, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 | 𝗦𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘄𝗮𝗴 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁

The Environmental Biomonitoring Research Unit (EBRU) had the pleasure of visiting the Baliwag Water District (BWD) on October 7, 2025. The research team conducted an ocular visit of BWD’s different facilities, which gave the team valuable insights into the specialized water and wastewater management strategies that play a vital role in serving the Baliwag community. This experience also fostered meaningful connections geared towards advancing water security.

EBRU extends its sincerest gratitude to Assistant General Manager Roberto Estrella for warmly welcoming the team and sharing his expertise on the water district’s operations. The group would also like to thank Ms. Jennielyn Santiago, who coordinated the visit, and the site engineers and supervising officers who generously guided the team throughout the tour.

𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 | 𝗣𝗵𝗗 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗬𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁

The Environmental Biomonitoring Research Unit (EBRU) is thrilled to welcome Ms. Jessamine Gail Inson, a PhD student from the University of Yamanashi and a collaborator of our ongoing water security research project.

Ms. Inson completed her Master of Science in Biology at DLSU-Manila, where she was also a former faculty at the Department of Biology and a researcher under EBRU.

Her visit at DLSU-Manila facilitated an exchange of knowledge, celebrating collaborative efforts in research geared towards advancing water and wastewater management.

𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟬 | 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲-𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗬𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗼𝗸𝘆𝗼 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁.

The final day of the research visit was marked by 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝘀𝘂𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆: 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀.

The event featured insightful presentations by EBRU’s esteemed research collaborators: Prof. Eiji Haramoto, Mr. Soichiro Hirai, and Ms. Jessamine Gail Inson, from the University of Yamanashi, Prof. Masaaki Kitajima from The University of Tokyo, Dr. Aileen Orbecido from the DLSU Department of Chemical Engineering, and Dr. Zeba Alam from the DLSU Department of Biology.

Dr. Raymond Tan, Dr. Jose Isagani Janairo, and Dr. Mary Jane Flores, graciously led the opening ceremony of the lecture series with their inspiring messages and presence. Furthermore, the lecture series was concluded by an awarding ceremony led by Ms. Marigold Uba and Dr. Divina Amalin.

A send-off dinner was then held in the evening at Century Tsujiki, offering a memorable conclusion to the three-day visit. Joining this event is Dr. Divina Amalin, Dr. Thaddeus Carvajal, Dr. Mark Angelo Balendres, Mr. Dennis Dolojan, Mr. Christian Jordan Dela Rosa, research members, and thesis students who contributed to organizing the three-day visit.

𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟵, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 | 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲-𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗬𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗼𝗸𝘆𝗼 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁.

On the second day of their visit, Prof. Eiji Haramoto, Mr. Soichiro Hirai, and Ms. Jessamine Gail Inson from University of Yamanashi, along with Prof. Masaaki Kitajima from The University of Tokyo, toured the DLSU Laguna Campus.

The research unit and the collaborators were graciously welcomed by Dr. Thaddeus Carvajal, Dr. Anna Karen Laserna, and Dr. Divina Amalin. The group also had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Jose Isagani Janairo, Dr. Billy Joel Almarinez, and Mr. Christian Jordan Dela Rosa.

The day concluded with a hands-on workshop for graduate and undergraduate students, focusing on concentration methods for identifying and quantifying emerging microbial contaminants in water bodies–an essential step in advancing water quality research.

𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟴, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 | 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲-𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗬𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗼𝗸𝘆𝗼 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁.

The Environmental Biomonitoring Research Unit (EBRU) had the pleasure of welcoming esteemed research collaborators from the University of Yamanashi and The University of Tokyo last September 8, 2025–marking Day 1 of their three-day visit to De La Salle University.

Together with members of EBRU, Ms. Marigold Uba, Dr. Arnel Beltran, and Dr. Aileen Huelgas-Orbecido warmly welcomed the visiting collaborators: Prof. Eiji Haramoto, Mr. Soichiro Hirai, and Ms. Jessamine Gail Inson from University of Yamanashi, along with Prof. Masaaki Kitajima from The University of Tokyo.

The group also had the honor of meeting key university officials: Dr. Raymond Tan, Dr. Angelyn Lao, and Dr. Mary Jane Flores. The first day included a guided tour of the DLSU Manila campus, complemented by meaningful discussions.

The 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭 (𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐔) and 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 (𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐄𝐑) proudly present,

“𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐮𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲: 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬.” 🌊🧬

🗓️: September 10, 2025
⏰: 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM (Philippine Time)
(registration begins at 8:30 AM, while the event begins at 9:30 AM)
📍: 20F, Multipurpose Hall, BAGH, DLSU-Manila

Water security is a critical component of environmental sustainability, demanding ongoing research and innovation to build resilient systems that support communities, human health, and preventative measures for infectious diseases.

This lecture series provides a deep dive into national and international research initiatives for water and wastewater management. Collaborative efforts and strategies will be highlighted through presentations by researchers from University of Yamanashi, The University of Tokyo, and De La Salle University, Manila.

Furthermore, it serves as a vital part of the DOST-NRCP funded project “Assessment of emerging microbial contaminants in the aquatic environment and water/wastewater treatment systems to enhance water security and public health in the Philippines,” driving its core objectives forward through propelling discussions about water security.

FREE REGISTRATION: tinyurl.com/ThePursuitofWaterSecurity
𝐋𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐧𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐲.

Registration will stay open until slots are filled. This will be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis.

We hope that you can join us on this special occasion.

EDIT: Applications for the said positions are now CLOSED.

____________

[EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY]

The Environmental Biomonitoring Research Unit (EBRU) is hiring for the following research staff under the DOST-funded project "Assessment of Emerging Microbial Contaminants in the Aquatic Environment and Water/Wastewater Treatment Systems to Enhance Water Security and Public Health in the Philippines"

Job Positions:
Project Technical Assistant I
Project Technical Aide III

If you are interested, please send your CV and Letter of Intent addressed to:

Ms. Marigld O. Uba
Project Leader
Environmental Biomonitoring Research Unit
Center for Natural Sciences and Environmental Research
De La Salle University

Ms. Dominique Ma. Francesca A. Ybañez
Project Technical Assistant II
Environmental Biomonitoring Research Unit
Center for Natural Sciences and Environmental Research
De La Salle University

Please send them to:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]