Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development’s (DOST-PCHRD) scholar, Melvin Bernardino, was recently named a recipient of the Young Investigator Award from the European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN). The award was given to support emerging researchers who were successfully selected to present their abstracts to the ESPGHAN’s annual meeting held in Lille, France from June 24 to 27, 2026.

DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr. lauded the milestone achieved by Bernardino. “We are proud to see our scholars transcend borders, showcasing exceptional Filipino talent and a deep-seated commitment to making a positive and meaningful impact for our communities,” he said. “The DOST remains dedicated in supporting this journey—nurturing their expertise, opening doors for further opportunities, and ultimately, translating their commitment into tangible outputs that will serve the needs of our country.”

Supported under the Foreign Graduate Scholarship (FGS) Program of the DOST-PCHRD, Bernardino is currently pursuing his PhD degree in Molecular Biomedicine at the University of Trieste (UniTS), and conducting his doctoral research at the Fondazione Italiana Fegato (FIF) in Trieste, Italy. He shared how he initially started his career focusing on nutrition and clinical dietetics, and later on expanded his expertise into translational and clinical research through the scholarship grant. This transition enabled him to focus on the prevention and management of metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver diseases (MASLD), which is the central topic of his presentation to ESPGHAN.

“I see the Young Investigator Award as an affirmation that my work on MASLD has value and has the potential to contribute to improving people’s lives,” Bernardino said. “It recognizes not only my academic and research achievements, but also the years of hard work, perseverance, mentorship, and support that have made this journey possible.”

His presentation to the Society shares results of their study in FIF, titled: “Designing of a Nutritionally Optimized Meal Plan for the Prevention and Management for Pediatric MASLD: A Scientific Approach.” The study demonstrates how different variations of the Mediterranean diet can maintain beneficial anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics when they emphasize high-quality, minimally processed foods and healthy fats, and highlights how scientific dietary indices may be beneficial in designing and evaluating meal plans for children who are affected or at risk of the disease.

On the significance of this research, he emphasized the current lack of a standard pharmacological treatment for the disease, noting the increasing concern for pediatric MASLD and the rising prevalence of childhood obesity. “Ultimately, this research aims to provide a more scientific and structured approach to dietary planning for pediatric MASLD and to support the development of practical, evidence-based nutrition interventions for children and their families.”

Bernardino also highlighted how the scholarship grant from DOST-PCHRD enabled him to partake in further opportunities for professional growth and in taking the global stage: ”The scholarship has helped me grow from a clinically trained nutritionist-dietitian into a more independent and globally engaged nutrition scientist. It has strengthened my commitment to producing evidence-based research that can be translated into practical nutrition interventions and contribute to improving metabolic health in the Philippines and the wider international community.”

Accordingly, he encourages other aspiring researchers to apply for opportunities despite hesitations and uncertainties, explaining how grants such as from the DOST-PCHRD can open doors to advanced training, experiences that may significantly shape both personal and professional growth, and international collaborations such as the ESPGHAN. “Never lose sight of the communities you hope to serve. Represent the Philippines with integrity and excellence, and use the knowledge and opportunities you receive to create meaningful and lasting impact,” he said.

Since his PhD studies began, Bernardino has already produced six scientific publications with the support and guidance of his supervisors Dr. Natalia Rosso and Prof. Claudio Tiribelli of FIF. He has also been involved with projects such as “NutriKids” and “Educazione Alimentare” which has shown the importance of schools and families in shaping children’s dietary behaviors, which he hopes to apply in the Philippines, by supporting school- and family-based nutrition programs that promote healthy eating, improve nutrition literacy, and reduce children’s exposure to ultra-processed foods.