VSU co-hosts reg’l biochem and molecular biology fora

To promote advancement in the fields of biochemistry and molecular biology in the country, the Philippine Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PSBMB) - Visayas Chapter hosted its 2nd Regional Symposium on February 21-22, 2019 at the Visayas State University Convention Center.

With the theme “Bringing Health and Wellness to new Heights through Biochemistry and Molecular Biology”, the symposium gathered more than 80 participants from different state universities in Visayas.

These include the resource speakers from Southern Leyte State University, University of Eastern Philippines, Silliman University, and VSU, with special participation from the new CHED-RO8 Director Dr. George M. Colorado CESO III, PSBMB National President Dr. Frank Heralde III and PSBMB Board Of Director Dr. Grace Fe Yu.

Dr. Junie B. Billones, a VSU alumnus who graduated as Magna Cum Laude in agricultural chemistry, served as keynote speaker. Dr. Billones talked about computational biochemistry, the advanced approach in finding new drugs for “superbugs” or the “drug-resistant microorganisms”.

Meanwhile, Dr. Colorado, also inspired and encouraged all the researchers and budding scientists-to-be to create projects that will contribute to the Gross Domestic Product of the Philippines.

The two-day event involved activities such as plenary lectures, trade exhibits, poster presentations, election and induction of new PSBMB members and elected officers.

VSU College of Arts and Sciences through the respective Departments of Biology, Biotechnology, and Pure and  Applied Chemistry headed by Dr. Candelario Calibo in partnership with RainPhil Inc., DIAMED, and Krypton International co-hosted this year’s regional symposium.

Dr. Calibo, the PSBMB President - Visayas Chapter, highlighted the importance of the regional fora to educators involved in these fields.

“I teach biochemistry but its recent development together with molecular biology is awesome to cope up with. Hence, our invited young resource speakers could provide glimpses of its tremendous progression especially in the field of medical sciences,” said Dr. Calibo.

The PSBMB, formerly known as the Philippine Biochemistry Society, was established in 1973. They are also a member of the Federation of Asian and Oceanian Biochemists and Molecular Biologists since 1973 and represents the country in the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

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