The first batch of MSc in Tropical Medicine scholars, Ms. Beatriz Aira Jacob and Ms. Kristal Dale Corpuz, traveled to Thailand in August 2022 for their graduate studies at Mahidol University. They will be participating in a two-year program which focuses on equipping students with scientific knowledge on tropical diseases, public health, and related subjects, as well as developing their soft and communication skills, and building their leadership ability.

The scholarship program was initiated by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) in partnership with the Faculty of Tropical Medicine (FTM), Mahidol University–SEAMEO TROPMED Thailand. Through a Memorandum of Understanding signed between DOST-PCHRD and Mahidol University in December 2021, both parties, with the mission of addressing health systems needs in the country, agreed to develop and implement foreign graduate scholarship programs in tropical medicine. 

(L-R) Ms. Beatriz Aira Jacob1 and Ms. Kristal Dale Corpuz2 are the pioneer batch of DOST-PCHRD scholars under the MSc in Tropical Medicine Program of Mahidol University

The scholarship program aims to train high-quality human resources with expertise in tropical medicine who will contribute to the country’s global competitiveness and economic development. Under the program, the scholars will be provided with financial support for their academic and research endeavors, such as school fees, living allowance, and outright thesis grant. By the end of the program, they are expected to return home to serve in the country as researchers and apply what they have learned from their graduate program. 

1 Ms. Beatriz Aira Jacob is a BS Chemistry graduate (2017) of UP Diliman, licensed chemist (2017), and former laboratory instructor at the UP Institute of Chemistry. Her research interests include drug discovery and development, natural products chemistry, spectroscopy, protein chemistry, and metabolomics.

2 Ms. Kristal Dale Corpuz is a BS Biology graduate (2018) of Central Luzon State University and former Microbiology Laboratory Analyst of DOST Central Luzon-Regional Standards and Testing Laboratory (DOST-RSTL). Her research interests include pathology, bioremediation, food safety, functional food, and food microbiology.

Related links: 

• DOST-PCHRD signs MOU with Thailand’s Mahidol University to implement capacity building activities for health researchers | Philippine Council for Health Research and Development
• (Scholarships Tab) Institutional Strengthening | Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (dost.gov.ph)