IRL Philippines
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"Together, Everyone Achieves More."
-IRL's Motto
We will build on the outcomes of our first successful laboratory, the Immunopharmacology Research Laboratory, founded in 2014, which has produced Ph.D. and Master of Science graduates who are now productive members of our scientific community. To date, in addition to conventional academic outputs such as book chapters and scientific publications, we have also developed early-stage technologies and copyrighted artworks that address real-world problems.
Student Achievements
2015
- Most Outstanding MS Graduate (IB)
– Malem Flores - 3rd Place, Best Research (Poster), 42nd Philippine Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Convention
– Michael Angelo Nicdao - International Award – Best Research (Poster), 19th Biological Sciences Research Congress, NUS, Singapore
– Michael Angelo Nicdao
2016
- Most Outstanding MS Graduate (IB)
– Sandra Jelyn Cutay - Best MS Thesis (IB)
– Sandra Jelyn Cutay
2017
- Best Undergraduate Thesis (IB)
– Carl Adrian Roma - Leticia Shahani Award in Biology
– Carl Adrian Roma - International Award – Young Scientist Competition Award, Asian Conference For Lactic Acid Bacteria, Gwangju, Korea
– Michael Angelo Nicdao
2018
- PAASE: Rapid Fire Poster Competition during the PAASE 2018 – Giann Dellosa
- Outstanding PhD Student (IB) – Fredmoore Orosco
- Best PhD Dissertation (IB) – Fredmoore Orosco
- Most Outstanding Graduate Student (CS) – Fredmoore Orosco
- Most Outstanding MS Student (IB) – Francis Fontanilla
- Best MS Thesis (IB) – Francis Fontanilla
- Young Pinoy Innovator Grantee, PCIEERD – Janina Guarte
2020
- Best Undergraduate Thesis (IB)
– Beatrice Hope Reyes - Leticia Shahani Award in Biology
– Beatrice Hope Reyes - International Award – Sobresaliente Recognition Of Excellence In Immunology, Barcelona Erasmus Vaccinology Program
– Giann Dellosa
Our Graduates
Malem Flores, PhD
MS Microbiology, Class of 2015
Malem finished her PhD in Pharmacology and Microbiology from the Università degli Studi di Brescia.
John Clyde Co Soriano, PhD
BS Biology, Class of 2015
Clyde is a Bioinformatics Scientist at H.U. Group Holdings, Inc. developing novel diagnostic technologies.
Sandra Jelyn Cutay-Imperial
MS Microbiology, Class of 2016
Microbiologist turned owner of her own Digital Marketing Agency, Sandra proudly designed and developed IRL’s website, which you’re reading right now.
Michael Jonathan Palad, MD
BS Biology, Class of 2016
Mike now serves as a medical officer under the Quezon City Health Department, providing primary health care at local health centers.
Bernard Dominic Magan
BS Biology, Class of 2016
Dominic is currently pursuing MS Molecular Medicine at St. Luke’s Medical Center College of Medicine – William H. Qasha Memorial and is working as a Technical Assistant at the Molecular Immunology Laboratory of the same institution.
Edjohn Aaron Macauyag, PhD
MS Microbiology, Class of 2017
Aaron is currently the Lead Scientist in the Synthetic Biology Team of the Integrated Protein R&D Center, focused on local enzyme production, and an ambassador for Reclone.org, promoting equitable access to biotechnology.
Carl Adrian Roma, MD
BS Biology, Class of 2017
Glenmarie Angelica Perias
BS Biology, Class of 2017
Lyka is a curious bio major turned MD-PhD student and clinical clerk interested in women’s health, immunology, and neuroscience.
Remo Vittorio
Thaddeus Abella, MD
BS Biology, Class of 2017
Remo is presently in a Straight Urology Program at the National Kidney Transplant Institute. He’s a Dachshund aficionado, a beach enjoyer, and hates loose change.
Vincent Alejandro
BS Information Technology, Class of 2017
Vince is a Laboratory Assistant turned IT Professional under Project management, handling multiple IT projects.
Fredmoore Orosco, PhD
PhD Biology, Class of 2018
Fred is currently pursuing his passion for pathogenic viruses as a Research Fellow at the Virology Institute of the Philippines.
Francis Fontanilla
MS Biology, Class of 2018
Then: Looked at host-pathogen interaction. Now: Still looking at host-pathogen interaction.
Francis is currently a PhD in Immunology, Pathology, and Infectious Diseases candidate at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Jean Phillippe Ambata
BS Biology, Class of 2019
Jean recently graduated from Medicine and now wishes to go by this title: “ang bombastic pogi ng IRL.”
Justine Karl Patrick Dantes
BS Biology, Class of 2019
Justine is currently finishing his Medical Degree at the UP College of Medicine without compromising his lifestyle as a weeb.
Ronald Lanze Malicse
BS Biology, Class of 2019
Lanze is a full-time cinephile who works as a post-graduate medical intern at the Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center during his free time.
Giann Dellosa
MS Biology, Class of 2019
Giann recently started doing his DPhil in Interdisciplinary Bioscience to determine the structure of Foot-And-Mouth disease virus under different endosomal conditions using cryo-electron microscopy.
Michael Angelo Nicdao, PhD
PhD Biology, Class of 2020
Michael is an Associate Professor of Microbiology who focuses on community development through integrative research, extension, and capacity building.
Ingrid Puentespina
BS Food Technology,
Class of 2020
Ingrid is a graduate of Food technology interested in producing novel, high-quality, safe, and competitive food products, highlighting the best of local skills and produce.
Beatrice Hope Reyes
BS Biology, Class of 2020
Janina Guarte
MS Microbiology, Class of 2020
Janina is an MS Microbiology graduate captivated by the spheres of probiotics, fermented foods, and functional foods.
Celle Elijah Bernardine Lo
BS Biology,
Class of 2022
The mitochondrion is the powerhouse of the Celle, and she hopes it will get her through medical school.
Juris Justin Tovera
BS Biology,
Class of 2022
Kyra Kim Justiniano
BS Biology,
Class of 2022
Ernest Troyss Pilapil
MS Microbiology,
Class of 2023
Troyss is an award-winning startup founder who is making healthcare more efficient and comprehensive for Filipinos.
Ivan Christian Imperial, MD, PhD
PhD Biology, Class of 2023
Ivan is a physician-scientist who advocates integrative learning, evidence-based medicine, and holistic primary health care.
Richard Robert Guino-o
MS Microbiology,
Class of 2024
Current Members
Joyce Ibana, PhD
Senior Principal Investigator
Professor 6
Ivan Christian Imperial, MD, PhD
Junior Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor 5
Maria Cristina Macabulos, MD, DPASMAP
MS Microbiology Student
Daniel Jose Ombao
MS Microbiology Student
Maevel Romero
MS Microbiology Student
Paul Christian Gloria
MS Microbiology Student
Paula Camille Ingala
MS Microbiology Student
Rondolf Nebreja
MS Biology Student
Rose Adelaide Marie Fortuno
BS Biology Student
Sean Francis Mutuc
BS Biology Student
Meet our Head and Founder
I observe, investigate, paint, and write about our natural world.
As a Scientist-Artist, I use innovative educational tools to help nurture the next generation of Scientists, Educators, and Innovators in the Philippines.
-Joyce A. Ibana
PhD in Immunology and Microbiology
