Meet John Paul Tosoc, biologist and pharmaceutical scientist1. What do you do?I am a 2nd year Ph.D.

Meet John Paul Tosoc, biologist and pharmaceutical scientist

1. What do you do?

I am a 2nd year Ph.D. student in Biology at Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) in Iligan City, Philippines. My current research mainly focuses on the evaluation of the chemopreventive properties of Corchorus olitorius Linn (Saluyot), a common vegetable in the Philippines. 

Our project aims to conduct safety assessments and to determine the health benefits of the C. olitorius plant, and its components in reducing the risk for disease occurrence of lifestyle-related diseases such as cancer. We also hope to provide relevant and novel information about the medicinal properties of C. olitorius for the potential discovery of chemopreventive drugs and or the formulation of different nutraceutical products.

2. Where do you work?

Currently, I am working on my dissertation at the Pharmaceutical Research Institute (PRI) at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) in Rensselaer, New York, USA under the expert supervision of my external research adviser, Dr. Shaker A. Mousa. While working on my research project, I have been learning a lot of new skills and techniques, such as nanoformulation, cancer cell culture, cancer assays, basic HPLC, TLC, SPE, nanospectroscopy, DLS, etc. This fantastic opportunity is made possible by the Research Enrichment Program of the DOST-ASTHRD Scholarship Program.

3. Tell us about the photos!

[Left:] These photos were taken inside the Drug Development Laboratory at PRI. I’m plating human melanoma (A-375) cancer cell line in preparation for MTT assay. Dr. Noureldien Darwish (MD/Ph.D.) is guiding me because this was my first time doing this assay. Surprisingly, he was really impressed with my pipetting skills! I did great for a first-timer! haha

[Right:] Aside from exploring nature in search of natural products for drug discovery and development, I also love to explore different cities or countries. Connecting with different people from different cultures and religious backgrounds helps me broaden my perspective in life. This particular photo was during my travel in Taipei, Taiwan last April 2019.

4. Tell us about your academic career path so far. 

• Elementary:Dadiangas Heights Elementary School, General Santos City, Philippines (2007)

• High School: Holy Trinity College of General Santos City, General Santos City, Philippines (2011)

• BS in Biology: Notre Dame of Dadiangas University, General Santos City, Philippines (2015)

• MS in Biology: Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City, Philippines (2017)

• Ph.D. in Biology (ongoing): Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City, Philippines

• Research Enrichment Program (ongoing, one year): Pharmaceutical Research Institute at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Rensselaer, New York, USA (2019-2020)

My research interests include biomedical research, oncology, natural products, nanotechnology, drug discovery, development, and delivery.

5. Anything else you’d like to share?

I want to encourage the younger generation to pursue the field of research. The Philippines needs a significant number of brilliant minds; a new generation of people who think outside the box. We need innovative individuals who are always curious and passionate to discover and invent new magnificent things. I hope they’ll give it a try to explore and understand how incredible STEM is.