News and Updates

Chustine Mark Barrios, a graduating Master of Science in Applied Physics Major in Medical Physics student at the UST Graduate School, presented significant findings of his research study at the 1st UST-CYCU Joint Symposium Poster Presentation. He won first place in the UST category of the poster competition. Chustine has been a graduate member of ANISLaG since 2024. 

Chustine's study investigates how zinc ions (Zn²⁺) enhance the fluorescence anisotropy performance of a hyaluronan-conjugated carbon quantum dot (HA-conjugated CQD) nanoprobe designed to target the CD44 receptor, which is overexpressed in some breast cancer cells and other cancers. The research aims to improve UV imaging of breast cancer cells by preserving fluorescence polarization-based imaging contrast.

Congratulations, Chustine!

The College of Science at the University of Santo Tomas recently marked its centenary with a month-long series of activities, which included research and career talks, distinguished alumni awards, science exhibits, and a variety show. Graduating students from the college's nine programs presented their research posters from March 24 to 25, 2026, with the best posters recognized on the final day of the event.

The research poster by Joaquin Liwag and Julia Marie San Jose, titled  "Multi-omics and machine learning approaches to characterizing and predicting unknown tarantula venom peptides", was awarded first place in the competition. Their research aims to develop a machine-learning-based method to classify tarantula venom peptides as anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, or anti-cancer, thereby facilitating more efficient classification for subsequent biological testing. The quality of their research and the clarity of their poster contributed to their recognition. Joaquin and Julia are supervised by Dr. Kristan Bryan Simbulan and co-advised by Dr. Lorenz Rhuel P. Ragasa. 

The formal awarding will be held at the UST Medicine Auditorium on April 10, 2026. 

Congratulations, Joaquin and Julia!

The International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Computer, Data Sciences, and Applications (ACDSA 2026) was successfully held from February 5 to 7, 2026, in Boracay, Philippines, bringing together researchers, academics, and industry professionals from around the world. The conference served as a global forum for presenting and discussing recent advances, emerging trends, and real-world applications in artificial intelligence, computer science, and data-driven technologies.

ACDSA 2026 is technically sponsored by IEEE, with accepted papers submitted for inclusion in IEEE Xplore.

In the said conference, Ralph Micko O. Dela Cruz, a graduate student at the University of Santo Tomas and member of the ANISLaG, has successfully presented his research on the “Characterization of Green Mussel Shell Powder as a Sustainable Shielding Material for Cobalt-60 Teletherapy: Experimental Validation and Meta-Analysis-Driven EpiXS Projections.” He is advised by Asst. Prof. Dr. Kristan Bryan Simbulan of UST, and co-advised by Ms. Jean Gillian C. Valberde of the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center.

Ralph’s research focuses on the effects of green mussel powder on the radiological performance of concrete.

His presentation at the conference also serves as a fulfillment of one of the requirements for his graduation with a degree in Master of Science in Applied Physics, Major in Medical Physics at the UST Graduate School.

Congratulations, Ralph!