TWO researchers of the University of Santo Tomas were recognized for their contributions during the 2021 Philippine Association of Schools of Medical Technology Educators Awards of Excellence.

Associate Professor Maria Ruth Pineda-Cortel received the 2021 PASMETH Educators Award in Research for her studies on gestational diabetes mellitus, specifically the analysis of gene expressions from patients who have contracted it.

Her research also includes dengue and malaria, as well as climate change.

Pineda-Cortel, who serves as the Laboratory Coordinator of the Department of Medical Technology, also teaches at the UST Graduate School.

Meanwhile, Professor Edilberto Manahan was awarded the 2021 PASMETH Educators Excellence Award in the field of Academic Leadership for “steering the BS Medical Technology program to academic excellence despite the Covid19 pandemic.”

Under Manahan, the school’s BS-MT program performed well in the annual licensure exams for medical technologists.

The program also got recognitions including the Level 4 of Accreditation given by the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation, Center of Excellence grant from the Commission on Higher Education, and the ASEAN University Network Quality Assurance Group certification.

“The pandemic has been a learning opportunity. We learn new ways of delivering lessons and even found way to conduct our students’ internship. This is where administrators must learn to bring everyone on board,” Manahan said.