A PROFESSOR of the University of Santo Tomas received the 2023 National Research Council of the Philippines Achievement Award in the Chemical Sciences Division for his research work on natural products.

Prof. Mario Tan was recognized for his contributions to the chemical and pharmacological significance of 𝘗𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘴 species and endemic Rubiaceae plants.

“[Tan’s] extensive studies have illuminated the rich therapeutic potential of these plant varieties, particularly in the realm of neuroprotection and natural products, with a special focus on potential therapies for Alzheimer’s disease,” as read in his citation.

His research tackled the anti-amyloidogenic activity inherent in pure compounds isolated from nature and crude extracts from Philippine endemic and indigenous plants, offering valuable insights into developing neuroprotective agents utilizing the bioactive compounds derived from the said plant species, according to UST.

Tan is a faculty member of the Department of Chemistry and Assistant Research Director of the UST Research Center for Natural and Applied Sciences.

Other Thomasian researchers who received the award were Prof. Emeritus Fortunato B. Sevilla III (1994), Prof. Emeritus Beatrice Q. Guevara (1999), Prof. Emeritus Maribel G. Nonato (2006), Prof. Alicia M. Aguinaldo (2011), and Prof. Christina A. Binag (2013).