DOST welcomes 2nd batch of scholars for MD-PhD scholarship program on Molecular Medicine

MOU signing between DOST and UP Manila on MD-PhD scholarship program on Molecular Medicine at the Alvior Hall, UP College of Medicine, Manila. From Left(back): Dr. Jaime C. Montoya, PCHRD Executive Director, Rommel Oliveras (UPM), John Carlo Reyes (UPDil), Joy Vanessa Perez (UPDil), Cecile Dungog (UPDil), Annavi Marie Villanueva (UPDil), Florence San Juan (UPDil), Natasha Andrea Fernandez (UPVis), Raniv Rojo (UPDil), Mark Joseph Abaca (UPM), Francis James Gordovez (UPDil), Dr. Paulo Pagkatipunan, Director, Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, UP Manila; From left(front): Dr. Filma G. Brawner, SEI Director, DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo, Dr. Ramon L. Arcadio, Chancellor, UP Manila and Dr. Alberto B. Roxas, Dean, College of Medicine, UP Manila

Last June 22, 2011, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) welcomed its second batch of MD-PhD scholars in Molecular Medicine through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) at the Alvior Hall, UP College of Medicine, Manila.

The scholars were Rommel Oliveras and Mark Joseph Abaca from UP Manila; John Carlo Reyes, Cecile Dungog, Joy Vanessa Perez, Annavi Marie Villanueva, Francis James Gordovez, Florence San Juan and Raniv Rojo from UP Diliman; and Natasha Andrea Fernandez from UP Visayas.

All scholars obtained at least 90% score in the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) which is one of the requirements to qualify for the scholarship program. Six of the scholars graduated magna cum laude and four graduated cum laude.

In his message, DOST Secretary Mario Montejo reiterated his full support to the MD-PhD program. “The DOST, through the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) and the Science Education Institute (SEI), is deeply committed to build and sustain the much needed human resource in health and health research. This scholarship program on the MD-PhD in Molecular Medicine is one of our strategies to meet this capacity gap in health research.” Rachel Ann Doreen D. Nadal, PCHRD