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Research Priority Areas

The University of San Carlos seeks to contribute to the science, technology, and management of human, food/health, water, energy and waste resources in Region 7 while keeping ethical, humanist, transformative, and Catholic perspectives. Our research priority areas are also aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Current or recently completed projects in these various areas are summarized below:

Area on Food/Health

  1. Pectin-Carrageenan Mixtures (PCM): High-precision charaterization of hydrogel heterogeneity properties with optical tweezers and FESEM imaging. Funding: DOST PCIEERD. Principal investigator: Rommel G. Bacabac, Department of Physics
  2. Smart Ink: Development of a 3D printing nano-structured carrageenan hydrogel. Funding: DOST PCIEERD. Principal investigator: Rommel G. Bacabac, Department of Physics
  3. DOST-MECO-TECO Joint Research Program: Development of macroalgae-fermented feed additive for chicken using microbial system. Funding: DOST-MECO-TECO. Principal investigator: Paul John L. Geraldino, Department of Biology
  4. In vitro cardiometabolic activity and toxicity monitoring of product development samples and screening of new herbals. Funding: DOST-PCHRD-Drug Discovery and Development. Principal investigator: Queenie Marie A. Maquilang, Department of Chemistry
  5. Aquaculture development of Ulva for sustainable biomass production and product formulation. Funding: DOST-PCAARRD. Principal investigator: Alvin P. Monotilla, Department of Biology
  6. Formulation studies of spray-dried extracts from plants with antihyperglycemic activity. Funding: DOST-PCHRD-Drug Discovery and Development. Principal investigator: Gerard Lee L. See, Department of Pharmacy
  7. Chemical standardization of the raw materials, spray-dried extracts and dosage forms from selected plants with antihyperglycemic activity. Funding: DOST-PCHRD-Drug Discovery and Development. Principal investigator: Angel Lyn Kristin C. Tan, Department of Chemistry
  8. Developing cold-soluble powders, bioplastic sheets, and bioactive hydrogels from nano-structured carrageenan. Funding: DOST PCIEERD. Principal investigator: Rommel G. Bacabac, Department of Physics
  9. Seasonal arboviruses of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in highland and lowland sites of Cebu City, Philippines. Funding: DOST PCHRD. Principal investigator: Frances E. Edillo, Department of Biology
  10. Nutritional composition of Halymenia durvillei and its potential use as a food ingredient. Funding: DOST PCHRD. Principal investigator: Jonie C. Yee, Department of Biology
  11. Developing and implementing test beds for low-cost ventilation systems applicable in tropical regions for risk reduction of infectious aerosol/virus transmission. Funding: DOST PCHRD. Principal investigator: Edward M. Querikiol, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering.

Area on Water

  1. Monitoring of environmental parameters in the aquatic ecosystems between Cordova and Cebu City during the construction phase of the Cebu Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) Project. Funding: Cebulink Joint Venture. Principal investigator: Julie B. Otadoy, Department of Biology
  2. Characterization of a passive solar-driven membrane seawater desalination set-up. Funding: DOST NRCP. Principal investigator: Noel Peter B. Tan, Department of Chemical Engineering

Area on Waste

  1. Development of biodegradable nanofiber filters as an active material for medical-grade facemasks. Funding: DOST PCIEERD. Principal investigator: Evelyn B. Taboada, Department of Chemical Engineering

Area on Energy

  1. Clean Energy Living Laboratories (CELLS): The development of Centers of Excellence on energy access, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. Funding: EU ASEP. Principal investigator: Edward M. Querikiol, CREST

Other research areas

  1. Projected socio-economic development impact study of Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway. Funding: Cebulink Joint Venture. Principal investigator: Zona Hildegarde S. Amper, Center for Social Research and Education
  2. The Northern Cebu Archaeological Project survey and excavation in San Remegio and Northern Cebu. Funding: National Museum of the Philippines. Principal investigator: Jose Eleazar R. Bersales, USC Museum
  3. POSTE (Interconnected Poste kits for environmental sensing). Funding: DOST PCIEERD. Principal investigator: Roland Emerito S. Otadoy, Department of Physics
  4. Development of patches from pectin nanofiber scaffolds with polyphenolic bioactive compounds for skin-restorative applications. Funding: USAID STRIDE WARP. Principal investigator: Evelyn B. Taboada, Department of Chemical Engineering

Contact Information

  • P. del Rosario St., Cebu City, 6000, Philippines
    Email: info@usc.edu.ph
  • Trunkline connecting all departments +63 32 401 2300, +63 32 230 0100
  • North Campus: local 800 (Basic Ed), local 234 (Senior High)
  • Montessori Academy: local 837
  • South Campus: local 711 (Basic Ed), local 548 (Senior High)

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