NEUST Chemistry student wins top prize at National Health Research Competition

Diona Lee Lastimoso, a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry student at Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST), secured first place in the Oral Research Presentation Competition for grantees of the 2024 Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) Undergraduate Thesis Grant in Natural Products.

The competition was held during the 18th Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Week celebration from August 13 to 15, 2025, at Marison Hotel in Legazpi City, Albay.

Lastimoso’s winning thesis, titled “In Silico and In Vitro Studies of Bioactive Components of Crescentia cujete L. (Miracle Fruit) Against NUDT5 Involved in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer,” was conducted under the guidance of her adviser, Dr. Danilet Vi Mendoza, a faculty member at NEUST’s College of Arts and Sciences (CAS).

Additionally, Dyanne Jane Duldulao, another faculty member from CAS, was a finalist in the same competition.

The 18th PNHRS Week, themed “One Health for All: Igniting Transdisciplinary Solutions for a Healthier Philippines,” aimed to advance inclusive, transdisciplinary solutions addressing the interconnected challenges of human, animal, and environmental health.

Hosted by the Bicol Consortium for Health Research and Development (BCHRD) in collaboration with DOST-PCHRD, the event served as a national platform for researchers, academic institutions, government agencies, and civil society organizations to advance transdisciplinary solutions for health equity.

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