With the goal of reaching a wider audience in the dissemination of health research results in social media platforms, the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology organized the Visualize Health Research 3.0: Visual Abstract Contest.

Launched during the Main Conference of the 42nd Anniversary celebration of the Council last 25 March 2024, the contest is open to all creative Filipinos residing in the Philippines except to PCHRD employees and their immediate family members, and PCHRD’s project team members. Joining the contest is FREE of charge.

Three individuals have an opportunity to win a cash prize amounting to P15,000, P9,000, and P5,000.

Mechanics

The contestant must create a visual abstract on one (1) of the published research studies of the Council (2022-2023):

1. The rs1458038 variant near FGF5 is associated with poor response to calcium channel blockers among Filipinos. (Link to: https://www.herdin.ph/index.php/component/herdin/?view=research&cid=83273)

 2. Temperature, season, and latitude influence development-related phenotypes of Philippine Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus): Implications for dengue control amidst global warming. (Link to: https://www.herdin.ph/index.php/component/herdin/?view=research&cid=83274)

3. Yearly variations of the genetic structure of Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) (Diptera: Culicidae) in the Philippines (2017-2019). (Link to: https://www.herdin.ph/index.php/component/herdin/?view=research&cid=83275)

4. Multifaceted assessment of wastewater-based epidemiology for SARS-CoV-2 in selected urban communities in Davao City, Philippines: A pilot study. (Link to: https://www.herdin.ph/index.php/component/herdin/?view=research&cid=83276)

5. HIV-1 subtype shift in the Philippines is associated with high transmitted drug resistance, high viral loads, and fast immunologic decline. (Link to: https://www.herdin.ph/index.php/component/herdin/?view=research&cid=83277)

6. End Users’ perspectives on the quality and design of mHealth technologies during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines: Qualitative study. (Link to: https://www.herdin.ph/index.php/component/herdin/?view=research&cid=83278)

7. Variants of SLC2A10 may be Linked to Poor Response to Metformin. (Link to: https://www.herdin.ph/index.php/component/herdin/?view=research&cid=83280)

8. An agent-based model of COVID-19 dynamics during enhanced community quarantine: Exploring the role of food relief system in the presence of two SARS-CoV-2 variants. (Link to: https://www.herdin.ph/index.php/component/herdin/?view=research&cid=83283)

9. A decision support system for the optimal allocation and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines using analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and integer programming (IP) model. (Link to: https://www.herdin.ph/index.php/component/herdin/?view=research&cid=83288)

10. Transmission dynamics and baseline epidemiological parameter estimates of Coronavirus disease 2019 pre-vaccination: Davao City, Philippines. (Link to: https://www.herdin.ph/index.php/component/herdin/?view=research&cid=83289)

11. Emerging genomic trends on rabies virus in Davao Region, Philippines, 2018-2021. (Link to: https://www.herdin.ph/index.php/component/herdin/?view=research&cid=83290)

12. Biotherapeutic applications of platelet-rich plasma in regenerative medicine. (Link to: https://www.herdin.ph/index.php/component/herdin/?view=research&cid=83291)

13. Mycobacterium tuberculosis inhibitors based on arylated quinoline carboxylic acid backbones with anti-Mtb gyrase activity. (Link to: https://www.herdin.ph/index.php/component/herdin/?view=research&cid=83292)

Submission of visual abstract poster entries will be via email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) with the following subject format: Visual Abstract_Last Name (ex. Visual Abstract_Dela Cruz). Deadline of submission of entries is on 31 May 2024.

Winners will be announced during the Philippine National Health Research System Week Celebration in August 2024. 

Visual Abstract Contest Piece

A visual abstract is a visual summary of the information contained within a research abstract. Similar to the actual text abstract of a research article, it is meant to communicate the key findings of the article in a shorter format. You may use this as reference in creating a visual abstract.

Visual abstract specifications

Dimension: 1080px X 1350px

Resolution: 300ppi

Orientation: Portrait

Must contain the title and author/s of the chosen research study, DOST PCHRD logo/branding.

Maximum file size of 5 MB in JPEG format.

Criteria for Judging

Clarity of message – 35%

Correctness and accuracy of translation – 35%

Relevant creativity and originality – 20%

Visual Impact – 10 %

Reminders

• Strictly one entry per participant only.
• The contest piece submitted shall be created specifically for this Contest and has not been used commercially.
• The participant warrants and represents that they own all rights to the Entry, their Entry is the original work of the participant, does not contain any third-party designs, does not infringe any third party’s rights, complies with all laws and regulations, and does not contain defamatory statements, or invade privacy, publicity or other rights of any third party. Entries containing prohibited or inappropriate content will be disqualified, as determined by the Council in its sole discretion.
• After the contest, submitted visual abstract entries will become property of the Council.
• A special prize will be given to the People’s Choice Award that will be conducted through PCHRD social media accounts.
• For more information, kindly send an email to Ms. Grace Ann A. Cenon (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Overview

The mission of the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) and Faculty of Tropical Medicine (FTM), Mahidol University―SEAMEO TROPMED Thailand is to address health system needs by developing and strengthening capacity for health research through teaching and research for advanced knowledge in tropical medicine. Hence, both institutions agreed to collaborate on the development and implementation of Foreign Graduate Scholarship (FGS) Programs in Tropical Medicine. 

The FGS-TropMed offers exciting opportunities for research training particularly on tropical diseases. The program aims to provide opportunities to deserving students to study and obtain graduate degrees abroad and develop a pool of high-quality human resources who will contribute to the country’s global competitiveness and economic development. 

Programs

Doctor of Philosophy in Tropical Medicine

The three-year multidisciplinary program offers broad areas in Tropical Medicine including Protozoology, Helminthology, Medical Entomology, Microbiology and Immunology, Social and Environmental Medicine, Tropical Hygiene, Tropical Nutrition and Food Science, Tropical Pathology and Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics focusing on active learning experience in well-equipped laboratory and at field site to equip graduates with multidisciplinary knowledge and skills in Tropical Medicine.

Master of Science in Tropical Medicine

The two-year program focuses on equipping students with scientific knowledge on tropical diseases, public health and related subjects. The goal of the program is to provide a balanced education that combines knowledge, skills, and moral values. The program has been developed to stimulate students to embrace life-long learning in scientific research, develop their soft and communication skills, and build their leadership ability.

Capacity

One (1) position for the PhD program and two (2) positions for the MSc program will be available each year at FTM Mahidol University―SEAMEO TROPMED Thailand (subject to the availability of funds).

Eligibility Criteria

The applicant must:

1. be a Filipino citizen;
2. be in good health condition; 
3. not be more than 50 years old at the time of application;
4. have completed BSc/MSc degree in related field of study;
5. have an outstanding academic record; 
6. pass the admission requirements of Mahidol University for the MSc/PhD study; 
7. pass the interview and other screening procedures;
8. have research interests aligned with the National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA) and Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda (HNRDA);
9. conduct their research for the entire duration of the scholarship and of the MSc/PhD Program; and
10. be willing to render the required service obligation for a period equivalent to twice the length of time or a fraction thereof that they enjoyed the MSc/PhD scholarship.

Scholarship Privileges

1. Tuition and other school fees;
2. Learning materials and/or connectivity allowance;
3. Outright thesis/dissertation grant (upon request);
4. Pre-departure expenses (one-time only);
5. One round-trip economy fare from residence to Thailand (start and end of the scholarship period only); 
6. Living/subsistence allowance; and
7. Health and accident insurance

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Note: An Applicant who has already started their studies abroad prior to application to the scholarship program can no longer apply.

2024 TIMELINE

HOW TO APPLY

Program Admission at Mahidol University

• Doctor of Philosophy in Tropical Medicine (Plan2.1) 4801DG00
• Master of Science in Tropical Medicine (PlanA2) 4801MG00

To apply, visit Mahidol University’s Online Admission System (for foreigner). After submitting your application to Mahidol University, send your CV to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for initial evaluation/screening.

Scholarship Application

Requirements

1. Curriculum vitae (CV)
2. Letter of Acceptance from Mahidol University
3. Accomplished Application form with recent ID picture
4. Endorsement letters from two (2) former professors in college for MSc applicant or two (2) former professors in the MSc Program for PhD applicant
5. If employed:
   • Certificate of Employment
   • Recommendation letter from Head of Agency
   • Permission to take a leave of absence (LOA) while on scholarship
6. Testamurs for all qualifications undertaken (i.e. Certificate of Bachelor’s Degree for MSc applicants/Master’s Degree for PhD applicants)
7. Transcript of records (Certified true copy)
8. Accomplished Re-entry Action Plan form (narrative)

*All documentary requirements must be submitted not later than April 30, 2024 (Tuesday).

Applicant/s who were able to pass the interview will be asked to submit the following:

1. PSA Birth Certificate (Photocopy)
2. Valid NBI Clearance (Original)
3. Medical Certificate as to health status from a licensed physician with their PRC license number indicated

Applicant/s who will be accepted in the program will be asked to submit the following before departure to Thailand: 

• Budgetary Requirements – attach at least three (3) airfare and three (3) health and accident insurance canvasses (include respective website references)
• Program of Study/Course Curriculum from Mahidol University

Submission of documents:

• For advance (scanned) copy of documents, send via email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Subject: 2024 MSc/PhD TropMed Application_(Surname, First Name)

• For hard copy of documents, send to:

Dr. Jaime C. Montoya (c/o Rubee Ellaine Perez)

Executive Director III, DOST-PCHRD

Saliksik Bldg., Sikap St., DOST Compound, 

Gen. Santos Ave., Bicutan, Taguig City 1631 Philippines

For any other inquiries, you may email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..