Department of Parasitology

23/10/2026

🔬🦠 LEVEL UP YOUR SKILLS IN DIAGNOSTIC PARASITOLOGY!

The Department of Parasitology, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila invites medical and allied health professionals, educators, researchers, and students to the 43rd Intensive Training Course on Diagnostic Parasitology (ITC)!

Join us for four days of intensive learning designed to review, update, and strengthen your knowledge and practical skills in the diagnosis of parasitic infections.

📅 December 1–4, 2026
⏰ 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 College of Public Health, UP Manila

🔬 What to expect?

Explore essential topics in diagnostic parasitology, including soil-transmitted helminths, intestinal protozoans, tissue and vector-borne parasites, immunodiagnosis, molecular diagnostic techniques, and the latest advances in the field.

🎓 CPD Accreditation: Medical Technology and Medicine (CPD units to be applied for)

💰 Registration Fee: ₱15,500.00

📌 Register now: https://bit.ly/43rd-ITCDP

📩 For inquiries: [email protected]
☎️ Telephone: +63 (02) 8535-4135

Whether you are involved in clinical diagnosis, laboratory work, teaching, or research, this training is an excellent opportunity to enhance your expertise and contribute to improved diagnosis and control of parasitic diseases.

Sharpen your diagnostic skills. Strengthen your expertise. Advance the fight against parasitic diseases!

18/09/2026

📣 REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! | 42nd Intensive Training Course on Diagnostic Parasitology (ITC) 🔬

The Department of Parasitology, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila invites health professionals, educators, researchers, and students to the 42nd Intensive Training Course on Diagnostic Parasitology (ITC).

This 5-day intensive course is designed to review, update, and strengthen participants’ knowledge and practical skills in diagnostic medical parasitology, covering helminths, protozoans, foodborne and waterborne parasites, vector-borne parasites, medical entomology, and recent advances in the field.

📅 9–13 November 2026
⏰ 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
📍 Henry Sy, Sr. Hall, College of Medicine, UP Manila
💰 Registration Fee: PHP 15,500.00
🎓 CPD units applied for Medicine and Medical Technology

Whether you are involved in the diagnosis and management of parasitic infections, teaching, research, or training, this course provides an opportunity to enhance your competencies and learn alongside colleagues in the field.

📲 Scan the QR code on the poster to register.

For inquiries, please contact the ITC Secretariat:
Ms. Dhalee G. Aniñon / Mr. Jr Y. Blanco
📧 [email protected]
☎️ +63 (02) 8535-4135

Join us for five days of learning, hands-on training, and advancing excellence in diagnostic parasitology!

03/09/2026

🧬 New Publication Alert! 🐌

We are pleased to share our newly published study in Parasitology International:

“Development of Oncomelania hupensis quadrasi embryonic cell primary culture”

This publication is based on the thesis of Mr. Joseph E. Valencia, a graduate of the Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH), Track in Parasitology, of the Department of Parasitology, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila.

The study addresses an important gap in schistosomiasis research by establishing and optimizing primary embryonic cell cultures of Oncomelania hupensis quadrasi, the obligate intermediate snail host of Schistosoma japonicum in the Philippines.

The optimized conditions supported viable, metabolically active embryonic cell populations, with cells maintained for up to approximately 30 days under minimally disturbed conditions. This work provides a methodological foundation for developing species-specific in vitro systems for studying molluscan biology and Schistosoma japonicum–snail interactions.

Congratulations to Mr. Joseph E. Valencia, his thesis adviser, Dr. Jose Ma. M. Angeles, and the co-authors on this achievement! 🎉🔬🐌

Published in Parasitology International | Available online 2 September 2026.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1383576926001418

28/08/2026

🎉 CONGRATULATIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PARASITOLOGY! 🎉

The Department of Parasitology, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila proudly celebrates the approval of two Collective Mentorship Programs (CMPs) by the UP Board of Regents (BOR) during its 1411th Meeting held on August 26, 2026:

🦟 Integrated Vector Management Program
Program Leader: Dr. Arlene G. Bertuso

🔬 Zoonotic Parasitoses Program
Program Leader: Dr. Jose Ma. M. Angeles

The UP Collective Mentorship Program (CMP) provides a strategic platform for strengthening graduate education, research, creative work, innovation, and public service in fulfillment of the University’s mandate under Republic Act No. 9500. Through a collaborative and supportive mentoring environment, the program seeks to enhance graduate training and increase PhD completion and graduation rates.

By bringing together faculty mentors, researchers, and graduate students around shared areas of expertise, the CMP promotes a more collaborative, interdisciplinary, and productive research environment while strengthening UP’s role as the country’s premier institution for advanced instruction, transdisciplinary research, innovation, and transformative public service.

The CMP is a key component of UP President Angelo A. Jimenez’s flagship program, “Strengthening the University’s Research and Creative Work Units to Accelerate Productivity for Public Service.”

The approval of these two programs marks another important milestone for the Department of Parasitology as it continues to advance research excellence, graduate mentorship, capacity building, and public service in parasitology, vector-borne diseases, and zoonotic infections.

Padayon, Department of Parasitology! 🌻

11/08/2026

The Department of Parasitology, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, extends its sincere appreciation to Dr. Karol Mark Yee, Executive Director of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM2), for delivering an inspiring and thought-provoking message during the Flag-Raising Ceremony held on August 12, 2026, at the College of Public Health Auditorium, UP Manila. His presentation, "Turning Point: A Decade of Necessary Reforms," challenged the UP Manila community to view education reform through a broader lens, one that recognizes the inseparable roles of health, research, and public policy in shaping the nation's future.

Drawing from the findings of the EDCOM2 Final Report, Dr. Yee highlighted the country's persistent learning crisis, characterized by widening learning gaps, declining student proficiency, and concerning levels of functional illiteracy. He emphasized that addressing these challenges requires evidence-based, long-term reforms that strengthen the foundations of learning from early childhood through higher education.

A key takeaway from his lecture was that education cannot be improved without improving health. Dr. Yee underscored that stunting and poor nutrition during the First 1,000 Days have lasting effects on cognitive development and learning outcomes, making maternal and child health, nutrition, immunization, sanitation, and early childhood care fundamental investments in education. He further stressed that strengthening collaboration between the health and education sectors is essential to breaking the cycle of poor learning outcomes.

He likewise emphasized that inclusive education must go beyond access, calling for stronger support systems for learners with disabilities through adequate resources, trained professionals, accessible health services, and responsive policies. Recognizing the expertise within UP Manila, Dr. Yee encouraged the College of Public Health and the University's academic community to contribute through impactful research, evidence-informed policymaking, capacity building for local governments, and innovative solutions to improve health and education systems nationwide.

As we reflect on the messages shared during this meaningful gathering, may we continue to uphold the ceremony's theme: "Pananaliksik, Kalusugan, at Edukasyon: Haligi ng Maunlad at Matatag na Bayan." Together, let us transform research into action, strengthen public health and education, and build a healthier, more equitable, and more resilient Philippines.

05/08/2026

📢 NEW PUBLICATION ALERT

We are pleased to share our latest publication in Acta Parasitologica!

📄 Beyond Coverage: A Systematic Review and Thematic Analysis of Delivery, Compliance, Equity and Impact in Mass Deworming for Soil-Transmitted Helminths

Authors: Harley M. Rodriguez, Angelica Marie B. Rostata, Jan Joseph Rainer Christorey Maria V. Salgado, Timothy Liam D. Rivera, and Jose Ma. M. Angeles

🌍 What did we find?
This systematic review of 13 studies demonstrates that high treatment coverage alone is not enough to achieve sustainable control of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections. Instead, effective mass deworming programs rely on four interconnected pillars:

✅ Delivery – Optimizing treatment strategies and integrating WASH interventions
✅ Compliance – Ensuring that people not only receive, but actually take the medication
✅ Equity – Reaching underserved and high-risk populations to reduce persistent transmission
✅ Impact – Monitoring effectiveness with sensitive diagnostics while addressing reinfection and emerging drug resistance

Our findings highlight the need to move beyond coverage-based indicators and adopt more comprehensive implementation and evaluation frameworks to strengthen progress toward the WHO 2030 targets for STH control.

Here is the link to the paper: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11686-026-01370-6

30/07/2026

🇵🇭 The Department of Parasitology, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila warmly invites the UP Manila community to its Flag-Raising Ceremony on 11 August 2026 (Tuesday), 8:00 AM, at the CPH Auditorium.

We are honored to welcome Dr. Karol Mark Yee, Executive Director of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM2), as our Inspirational Speaker.

Theme:
“Pananaliksik, Kalusugan, at Edukasyon: Haligi ng Maunlad at Matatag na Bayan”

Let us come together as one community in reaffirming our commitment to advancing research, promoting public health, and strengthening education in service of the nation.

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23/07/2026

🧬 New Publication Alert!

Our latest study provides new genetic evidence that zoonotic transmission of Schistosoma japonicum is not uniform across endemic areas in the Philippines. Using multi-locus genotyping of parasite eggs from humans and water buffaloes, we found contrasting transmission patterns between two endemic provinces. In Leyte, parasite populations from humans and water buffaloes showed strong genetic overlap, supporting the important role of buffaloes as reservoir hosts. In Oriental Mindoro, however, parasite populations were genetically distinct, suggesting that water buffaloes contribute less to transmission and that other reservoir hosts may be involved.

These findings highlight the importance of site-specific One Health strategies for schistosomiasis control. Strengthening animal surveillance alongside human mass drug administration and tailoring interventions to local transmission dynamics will be critical to achieving sustainable schistosomiasis elimination in the Philippines.

This publication was produced in part through the DOST–Grant-in-Aid (DOST-GIA)-funded research project led by Dr. Jose Ma. M. Angeles of the Department of Parasitology, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, entitled Intra-island Zoonotic Transmission of Schistosomiasis in Leyte Province. The study was conducted in collaboration with the National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Japan.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s41182-026-01030-5

21/07/2026