Two (2) student researchers from NEUST College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) will receive funding from the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) after being selected as part of the first batch of undergraduate thesis grantees.

Representing Region III, Diona Lee Lastimoso and Mark Lorenz Casino will be granted funding up to P75,000 for their innovative research under the Natural Products category that contributes to health research and development.

Lastimoso’s research is titled In Silico and In Vitro Studies of Bioactive Components of Crescentia cujete L. (Miracle Fruit) Against NUDT5 Involved in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer under the advisory of Danilet Vi Mendoza.

Meanwhile, Casino will study the Nutritional Analysis, Phytochemical Profiling, and In Vitro Antioxidant Activities of Endemic Kawayang Bayog (Bambusa merrilliana) Leaves and Herbal Infusion Made from Thereof, with Darwin Reyes and Dyanne Jane Duldulao, as advisers.

The DOST-PCHRD Undergraduate Thesis Grant in Natural Products aims to advance the exploration of plant and microbial-derived compounds to address pressing health concerns. 

For this cycle, 25 grantees were selected from 13 regions across the Philippines.

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