Priority Areas | University of San Carlos

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

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
Smart Ink: Development of a 3D printing nano-structured carrageenan hydrogel. Funding: DOST PCIEERD. Principal investigator: Rommel G. Bacabac, Department of Physics
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
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
Aquaculture development of Ulva for sustainable biomass production and product formulation. Funding: DOST-PCAARRD. Principal investigator: Alvin P. Monotilla, Department of Biology
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
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
Developing cold-soluble powders, bioplastic sheets, and bioactive hydrogels from nano-structured carrageenan. Funding: DOST PCIEERD. Principal investigator: Rommel G. Bacabac, Department of Physics
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
Nutritional composition of Halymenia durvillei and its potential use as a food ingredient. Funding: DOST PCHRD. Principal investigator: Jonie C. Yee, Department of Biology
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

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
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

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

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

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
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
POSTE (Interconnected Poste kits for environmental sensing). Funding: DOST PCIEERD. Principal investigator: Roland Emerito S. Otadoy, Department of Physics
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