Mariano Marcos
State University

MMSU profs, bio alumna top awards in PNHRS Convergence

By Criztalene Victorio

Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) research team led by Graduate School Dean and concurrent chief of the Center for Histomodeling and Biocomputing in Applied Biomedical Research (HiBAR), Dr. Doreen Domingo, alongside BS Biology alumna Ms. Princess Mae Lagasca, bagged major awards at the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Convergence in Koronadal City, South Cotabato, August 11–13.

Under the Professional Category, the research poster titled “Tissue Repair Progression in Liver and Stomach of Alcohol Fed Male ICR Mice Using Freeze-Dried 𝘗𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘢 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘢 Slime and Bovine Milk” won the People’s Choice Award. The winning study was led by Dr. Domingo, accompanied by her research team members  Prof. Jessica Asuncion, Ms. Donna Mae Fronda, Prof. James Patrick Acang, Prof. Janelyn Rojas, Dr. Melvin Bagot, Dr. Modesty Leaño, and Dr. Uzziel Ginette Bascao-Natoza.

Meanwhile, Ms. Lagasca secured 1st place in the Student Category of the Oral Research Presentation. Her study titled “Histopathological and Molecular Alterations in Pulmonary Tissues of Male ICR Mice (𝘔𝘶𝘴 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘶𝘴) Following Combined Exposure to E-Cigarette Aerosols and Alcohol” examines the effects of e-cigarette aerosols and alcohol on the histopathological and molecular alterations in the pulmonary tissues of male ICR mice. The study was co-authored by Neomi Coleen Sacro, under the guidance of Asst. Prof Jessica Asuncion, Dr. Doreen Domingo, and Ms. Jimmbeth Zenila Fabia. 

Both research projects were funded by the Region 1 Health Research and Development Consortium (R1HRDC) in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) and implemented at the HiBAR Center based at the College of Arts and Sciences.

Aligned with the university’s SUCCEED agenda, this national achievement underscores MMSU's commitment to driving catalytic and impact-driven research and innovation.

Organized by DOST-PCHRD, this annual Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Week Celebration was attended by health researchers, policymakers, academics, and healthcare professionals, ensuring needs-driven, ethical public policy health research in the country.