METAS Alumni
Meet our METAS Lab alumni, making their mark in their respective careers!
We celebrate our graduates and their accomplishments by sharing their stories to bring purpose and inspiration to society.
The METAS Lab has produced ~40 graduates for the past 8 years, comprised of Ph.D., M.Sc., and B.Sc. graduates.
We celebrate our graduates and their accomplishments by sharing their stories to bring purpose and inspiration to society.
The METAS Lab has produced ~40 graduates for the past 8 years, comprised of Ph.D., M.Sc., and B.Sc. graduates.
Arizaldo "Ariz" Castro
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Arizaldo “Ariz” Castro is an Associate Professor at De La Salle University–Dasmariñas (DSLU-D) teaching microbiology and related health science. He has over 10 years of experience across academic, public, and private sectors as a faculty member, research fellow, graduate researcher, and specialist writer. He is an experienced early-career scientist with expertise in environmental microbiology, water quality, health research impact, and public health.
Ariz took his Master of Science in Biology degree from the DLSU-D with the Highest Distinction Recognition and completed his Doctor of Philosophy in Biology (Specializing in Microbiology) with the Excellence in Graduate Studies Award at the University of the Philippines Diliman, under the supervision of Dr. Marie Christine M. Obusan. |
During his Ph.D. research, he was part of the data gathering for the METAS Lab’s PCIEERD-funded study “Microbial Communities as Sentinels of Environmental Pollutants in Metro Manila’s Resources”. He curated and analyzed research data, authored project reports, and developed a custom bioinformatics pipeline for taxonomic and functional profiling of microbial communities in freshwater systems. He also developed a conceptual framework linking microbial community composition, physico-chemical quality of water, and microbial community metabolic fingerprints with overall water quality. Currently, Ariz is involved in METAS Lab’s whole genome sequencing and microbial community analysis research projects.
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Ariz presented his study on using microbial forensics to understand naturally occurring infectious diseases during the 2019 International Student Conference on Environment and Sustainability (ICES 2019) held in Shanghai, China (left). Most recently, he was a finalist for the Best Paper Competition at the 53rd Philippine Society for Microbiology (PSM) Convention held in Bacolod City, where he presented his research "From source to supply: Bacterial community profiles of drinking water sources and distribution supply in Mega Manila, Philippines" (right).
Ariz was a research fellow at the Philippine Department of Health (DOH), where he was a member of the Health Research Impact Study Group. During his tenure at the DOH, he provided technical assistance to the Health Research Division and its external and internal partners on capacity building, program planning and strategy, and monitoring and evaluation. He was also a specialist writer for an offshore medical device company, where he conducted literature reviews and authored several state-of-the-art reports. Currently, Ariz serves as an associate professor at DLSU-D and is working on establishing an academic research laboratory that will focus on studying microbial communities and their impact on public and environmental health.
Ariz has been an active member of several professional organizations, including the Asia Pacific Association of Medical Journal Editors, Biology Teachers Association, and Applied Microbiology International. He presented his research at various local and international conventions and conferences.
Published: December 20, 2024
Ariz has been an active member of several professional organizations, including the Asia Pacific Association of Medical Journal Editors, Biology Teachers Association, and Applied Microbiology International. He presented his research at various local and international conventions and conferences.
Published: December 20, 2024
Liezel "Zel" Atole-Nieva
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Liezel "Zel" Atole-Nieva is an Assistant Professor and the Department Chair of the Biological Sciences Department of the Partido State University (ParSU) in Goa Camarines Sur. She is also a registered microbiologist, an associate member of the National Research Council of the Philippines, and the President of the Philippine Society for Microbiology, Inc. - Bicol Chapter.
Zel is a Bachelor of Science in Biology (Major in Microbiology) graduate from the University of the Philippines Los Baños, and a Master of Science in Microbiology graduate from the University of the Philippines Diliman. She studied the biological activities of endophytic bacteria isolated from Narra (Pterocarpus indicus) growing in the Mount Makiling Forest Reserve and UP Diliman Arboretum during her masters, under the supervision of Dr. Jessica Simbahan. |
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In photos: Zel leading the Training Workshop on Basic Microbiology Techniques at the ParSU-MTL, attended by faculty researchers from different colleges and campuses of ParSU
Photo credit: ParSU-MTL Facebook Page |
Zel established the Partido State University - Microbiology Testing Laboratory (ParSU-MTL) with the aid of the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD). She also spearheads a DOST-PCAARRD-funded research on developing an alternative aquafeed ingredient using spent mushroom substrate, and ParSU-funded research on the propagation of kurakding, a high-value Bicolano farm product and delicacy, on different substrates and compositional analysis of spent mushroom substrate.
Published: November 19, 2024
Published: November 19, 2024
