by Alma L. Tingcang

MANILA The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) proudly announced their third batch of scholars for the MD-PhD Program in Molecular Medicine.

DOST undersecretary Fortunato de la Pea said this during the MD-PhD in Molecular Medicine Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing held recently at Hyatt Hotel Manila.

The MD-PhD program in Molecular Medicine is a scholarship grant under the DOST Accelerated Science and Technology Human Resource Development Program (ASTHRDP), which aims to develop human resource capacities to meet the biomedical research and development (R&D) needs of the country.

Through this program, the countrys global competitiveness and capability to innovate in health R&D will be improved. I commend our new batch of scholars who have chosen molecular medicine as their study course. You are exactly what the country needs right now, a doctor-scientist who will conduct biomedical research especially on emerging diseases, said de la Pea.

The scholars are Crizelda Jean Cruz, Sheriah Laine De Paz, Maria Isabel Idolor, Ana Joy Padua, Joyce Ann Robles, Ian Kim Tabios and Cherry Joy Tumampo from UP Diliman; Josept Mari Poblete and Jayson Trinchera of UP Manila, and Angelo Sumalde of UP Los Baos.

All the scholars obtained at least a 90 percent score in the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT), which is one of the requirements to qualify for the scholarship program. Seven of the scholars graduated Summa Cum Laude, six were Magna Cum Laude and three Cum Laude.

They are the cream of the crop, the best in terms of academic performances, and our future scientists and researchers that will lead our scientific communities in the development of effective drugs, vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutic agents for patient management and clinical care, de la Pea said.

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DOST gives full scholarship to 10 outstanding Molecular Medicine students