About Us
The IFTS Laboratory focuses on the isolation, screening, characterization, and development of microorganisms for various industrial applications. Our research thrust aims to improve industrial technologies through the use of microbial cells and their products.
Current Lab Members
Ursela G. Bigol, PhD, RMicro, DPAM
Supervising Science Research Specialist
Section Head
Research Interests
Bioactive Substances
Fermentation
Microbial Control
Mushroom Technology
Enzyme Technology
Education
PhD Biochemistry, University of the Philippines - Manila
MSc Biochemistry, University of the Philippines - Manila
BS Biology, University of the Philippines - Los Baños
Ian John L. Castro, MSc
Senior Science Research Specialist
Research Interests
Food Fermentation
Characterization of Flour and Starches
Antioxidant Qualification / Quantification
Education
PhD Food Science (ongoing), Yeungnam University, Republic of Korea
MSc Food Science, University of the Philippines - Los Baños
BS Food Technology, University of the Philippines - Mindanao
Noel M. Unciano, PhD (cand.)
John Paulo G. Jose, MSc (cand.)
Science Research Specialist II
Research Interests
Fermentation
Molecular Biology
Molecular Diagnostics
Education
MSc Biology (cand.), De La Salle University, Philippines
BS Biology major in Biotechnology, Rizal Technological University, Philippines
John Paul Matthew D. Guzman, MSc, RMicro
Science Research Specialist I
Research Interests
Microbial Control
Biofilm and Quorum Sensing
Molecular Microbiology
Immunomodulation
Education
PhD Applied Marine Bioscience major in Genome Science (ongoing), Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Japan
MSc Microbiology bene meritus, cum laude
University of Santo Tomas, Philippines
BS Biology, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Philippines
Science Research Specialist II
Research Interests
Molecular Biology
Bioremediation
Enzyme Technology
Education
PhD Health Sciences (cand.), University of the Philippines - Manila
PhD Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (credits), University of the Philippines - Diliman
MSc Molecular Biology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
BS Biology, University of the Philippines - Diliman
Sheila D.A. Mantaring
Science Research Analyst
Research Interests
Molecular Biology
Environmental Microbiology
Education
MSc Environmental Science (credits), University of the Philippines - Diliman
BS Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of the Philippines - Diliman
Melvin R. Razon
Science Aide
Research Interests
Mushroom Production
Starter Culture Preparation
Education
BS Information and Communications Technology (credits), Taguig City University, Philippines
Current Project Staff
Gianne May R. Gagan, DVM, MSc (cand.)
Senior Science Research Specialist
Research Involvement
Establishment of Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (Project 5)
Education
MSc Global One Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Belgium and University of Pretoria, South Africa (cand.)
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Philippines - Los Baños
Senior Science Research Specialist
Research Involvement
Establishment of Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (Project 2)
Education
MSc Public Health major in Medical Microbiology (cand.), University of the Philippines - Manila
BS Medical Technology, Cavite State University, Philippines
Senior Science Research Specialist
Research Involvement
Establishment of Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (Project 4)
Education
MSc in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (cand.), University of the Philippines - Los Baños
BS Biology, Polytechnic University of the Philippines - Manila
Joseph B. Ancla, RMT, RMicro, MSPH (cand.)
Joseph Sonio, MSc (cand.)
Reneelyn E. Danganan, MSc
Senior Science Research Specialist
(CIP Graduate Fellow)
Research Involvement
Establishment of Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (Project 5)
Education
MSc Microbiology, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines
BS Biology, Bulacan State University, Philippines
Lindley C. Susi, MSc
Senior Science Research Specialist
(CIP Graduate Fellow)
Research Involvement
Establishment of Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (Project 3)
*A project under EBD's Microbial Treatment Section
Education
MSc Microbiology, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines
BS Biology, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines
Edrienne Myenna Magat, MSc
Senior Science Research Specialist
(CIP Graduate Fellow)
Research Involvement
Establishment of Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (Project 2&4)
Education
MSc Biological Sciences, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines
BS Biology, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Philippines
Ma. Isabella Christina P. Ricaforte, RMT
Science Research Specialist II
Research Involvement
Establishment of Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (Project 4)
Education
BS Medical Laboratory Science cum laude, De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute, Philippines
Arrjay Mar B. Rivera
Science Research Specialist II
Research Involvement
Establishment of Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (Project 5)
Education
MSc Microbiology (ongoing), University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines
BS Biology major in Biotechnology, Rizal Technological University, Philippines
Adonis Eclipse
Science Research Specialist II
Research Involvement
Establishment of Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (Project 3)
Education
MSc Public Health major in Medical Microbiology (ongoing), University of the Philippines - Manila, Philippines
BS Biology, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Philippines
Dexter Bryan Esliza, RMicro
Science Research Specialist II
Research Involvement
Establishment of Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (Project 3)
Education
MSc Public Health major in Medical Microbiology (ongoing), University of the Philippines - Manila, Philippines
BS Biology, Polytechnic University of the Philippines - Manila, Philippines
Dianne Marie C. Bantola
Michael Nada
Science Research Specialist II
Research Involvement
Establishment of Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (Project 2)
Education
MSc Marine Science (ongoing), University of the Philippines - Diliman, Philippines
BS Biology, Southern Luzon State University, Philippines
Science Research Specialist I
Research Involvement
Establishment of Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (Project 5)
Education
MSc Microbiology (ongoing), University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines
MSc Microbiology (units), University of the Philippines - Diliman
BS Biology major in Microbiology, University of the Philippines - Baguio
Elisa Marie V. Luyun
Science Research Specialist I
Research Involvement
Establishment of Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (Project 3)
*A project under EBD's Microbial Treatment Section
Education
BS Biology major in Genetics, University of the Philippines - Los Baños
Nikka Mae R. Yadao
Science Research Specialist I
Research Involvement
Establishment of Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (Project 2)
Education
BS Biology major in Biotechnology, Rizal Technological University, Philippines
Joshua Rodriguez
Science Research Specialist I
Research Involvement
Establishment of Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (Project 4)
Education
BS Biology major in Industrial Biology, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines
Arnie Dimaano
Science Research Analyst
Research Involvement
Establishment of Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (Project 5)
Education
BS Biology major in Industrial Biology, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines
Virgilio De Paz, Jr.
Science Research Assistant
Research Involvement
Establishment of Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (Project 2)
Education
BS Biology major in Biotechnology, Rizal Technological University, Philippines
John Christian Layones
Project Assistant
Research Involvement
Establishment of Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (Project 4)
Education
BS Biology major in Biotechnology, Rizal Technological University, Philippines
Marie Fe Cabigting
Project Assistant
Research Involvement
Establishment of Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (Project 4)
Education
BS Biology major in Biotechnology, Rizal Technological University, Philippines
Nikkson Jake Yadao
Science Aide
Research Involvement
Establishment of Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (Project 4)
Education
Jomar Bustos
Science Aide
Research Involvement
Establishment of Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (Project 5)
Education
Former Lab Members
Elizabeth G. Panerio, PhD
Emilio N. Montiague
Cyril S. Portos
Claro Mamaril
Supervising Science Research Specialist (Pharmaceutical Section)
Research Interests
Molecular Cytogenetics
Microbial and Plant Genetics
Mushroom Technology
Bioremediation of Natural Dyes
Bioactive Substances
Enzyme Technology
Education
PhD Genetics, University of the Philippines - Los Baños
MSc Biology, University of the Philippines - Diliman
BS Agriculture, University of the Philippines - Los Baños
Science Research Specialist II
Research Interests
Alcohol Production
Fermentation
Mushroom Technology
Education
BS Biology, University of San Agustin, Iloilo, Philippines
Science Research Assistant
Research Interests
Alcohol Production
Fermentation
Mushroom Technology
Education
Science Aide
(Project Staff)
Research Involvement
Pilot-scale production of spray-dried dextran and high fructose syrup using whole cell (Leuconostoc mesenteroides) ITDI Fermentation Technology
Education
BS Biology major in Biotechnology, Rizal Technological University, Philippines
Irish Coleen A. Asin, MSc
Jessica G. Manalaysay, MSc
Senior Science Research Specialist
(CIP Graduate Fellow)
Research Involvement
Establishment of Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (Project 4)
Education
MSc Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of the Philippines - Diliman
BS Food Technology cum laude, University of the Philippines - Los Baños
Senior Science Research Specialist
(CIP Graduate Fellow)
Research Involvement
Establishment of Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (Project 2&4)
Education
MSc Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of the Philippines - Diliman
BS Biology, University of the Philippines - Baguio
Fred Lawrence Samante, RMT
Science Research Specialist II
(Project Staff)
Research Involvement
Establishment of Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (Project 2)
Education
BS Medical Technology, St. Scholastica's College - Tacloban, Philippines
Last Updated: 26 November 2022