Ongoing Research

​​Project: Investigation of the Algal Bloom Phenomena in Laguna Lake for the Development of Rational Water Treatment Engineering and Lake Water Quality Improvement (under the National Engineering Center)
Funding Agency: Maynilad Water Services, Inc.
Marie Christine M. Obusan, Ph.D., Project Staff/Collaborator​

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Project: Detection of Brucella ceti in Cetaceans of the Philippines using Serological and Molecular Techniques
Funding Agency: UP-NSRI
Marie Christine M. Obusan, Ph.D., Project Leader


Project: Prevalence and genetic diversity of cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) in cetaceans stranded in the Philippines
Funding Agency: DOST-PCAARRD
Marie Christine M. Obusan, Ph.D., Project Leader 


Project: Development of a field-deployable reverse transcription-insulated isothermal (iiPCR)-based detection method for cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV)
Funding Agency: UP-NSRI
Marie Christine M. Obusan, Ph.D., Project Leader 


Program: Microbial Community Composition and Function for the Removal of Excess Nitrogen and Endocrine Disruptors in Wastewater Treatment
​Project 2: Removal of Excess Nitrogen and Endocrine Disruptors from Wastewater (RENEW)
Funding Agency: DOST-PCIEERD
Marie Christine M. Obusan, Ph.D., Project Leader 

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Project: Production and Improvement of Construction Materials using Bacterial Calcite Precipitation
Funding Agency: DOST-PCIEERD
Jessica F. Simbahan, Ph.D., Project Leader
Marie Christine M. Obusan, Ph.D., Study Leader Detection of Brucella ceti in Cetaceans of the Philippines using Serological and Molecular Techniques 

Past Projects
Project: Assessment and mobilization of research initiatives on Philippine marine mammals (PHLMarMams)
Funding Agency: DOST-PCAARRDD
Marie Christine M. Obusan, Ph.D., Project Staff


Project: Prevalence and genetic diversity of Toxoplasma gondii in select food animal and human samples
Funding Agency: UP-NSRI
Marie Christine M. Obusan, Ph.D., Project Leader 


Project: Biochemical characterization of tyrosinase activity for optimal melanin production of Isolate H28 as microbial cell factories
Funding Agency: OVPAA-ECWRG
Marie Christine M. Obusan, Ph.D., Project Leader


Project: PCR-based monitoring of bacterial taste and odor compounds in drinking water resources
Funding Agency: Manila Water Company, Inc. 
Marie Christine M. Obusan, Ph.D., Project Leader


Program Title: Water assessment of teratogens and endocrine disruptors on fetal-maternal health (Water-FeMaH)
Project 1: Microbial communities as sentinels of environmental pollutants in Metro Manila's drinking water resources
Funding Agency: DOST-PCHRD
Marie Christine M. Obusan, Ph.D., Project Leader
Jessica F. Simbahan, Ph.D., Study Leader
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Program Title: Harnessing Palawan indigenous earthworm species and their gut microbiota for degradation of disposable diaper
Project 2: Microbial diversity in Palawan indigenous earthworms and their vermicompost
Funding Agency: CHED K to 12 (DARE TO)
Marie Christine M. Obusan, Ph.D., Project Leader


​Program Title: Harnessing Palawan indigenous earthworm species and their gut microbiota for degradation of disposable diaper
Project 3: Harnessing gut microbes from indigenous earthworms of Palawan for enzymatic, antimicrobial, and soil enhancement activities for biodegradation of soiled disposable diapers
Funding Agency: CHED K to 12 (DARE TO)
Jessica F.  Simbahan, Ph.D., Program and Project Leader

Title: Histological assessment for monitoring the health of cetaceans stranded in the Philippines waters 
Funding Agency: OVCRD
Marie Christine M. Obusan, Ph.D., Project Leader
Project Completion: 31 October 2021


Title: Development of a biofungicide for the control of Alternaria solani and other fungal pathogens of tomato and eggplant 
Funding Agency: PCAARD
Jessica F.  Simbahan, Ph.D., Project Leader
Project Completion: 30 June 2021


Title: Cetacean health and stranding response program: A one health initiative in the Philippines
Funding Agency: Ocean Park Conservation Fund Hong Kong
Marie Christine M. Obusan, Ph.D., Program Leader
Project Completion: 30 June 2020

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Title: Antibiotic susceptibility patterns and antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) of Enterobacteriaceae and non-fermenter Gram-negative isolates from cetaceans stranded in the Philippines
Funding Agency: NSRI
Marie Christine M. Obusan, Ph.D., Project Leader
Project Completion: December 2019


Title: Characterization of Bacillus amyloliquifaciens isolate N2B2, a bacterial endophyte isolated from narra (Pterocarpus indicus) as a biofertilizer for agricultural applications
Funding Agency: NSRI
Jessica F.  Simbahan, Ph.D., Project Leader
Project Completion: 30 December 2019


Title: Polyethylene-degrading and laccase-producing bacteria from the highly polluted MMORS: future application for industrial and environmental in-situ pollutant degradation
Funding Agency: NSRI-PCIEERD
Marie Christine M. Obusan, Ph.D., Project Leader
Project Completion: 30 June 2019


Title: Emerging leptospirosis and toxoplasmosis in marine wildlife reservoir hosts: the case of cetaceans stranded in Philippine waters
Funding Agency: NSRI
Marie Christine M. Obusan, Ph.D., Project Leader
Project Completion: 30 June 2018


​Title: Leptospira and Toxoplasma gondii genotypes in cetaceans ashore Philippine waters: clues on geographical extent and diversity of emerging land-based pathogens
Funding Agency: OVCRD
Marie Christine M. Obusan, Ph.D., Project Leader
Project Completion: 30 June 2018


Title: Assessment of laminarinase enzymes from various sources for the control of Alternaria solani, a phytopathogenic fungi of tomato, eggplant, and pepper
Funding Agency: NSRI
​Jessica F.  Simbahan, Ph.D., Project Leader
Project Completion: 30 June 2018


Title: Survey of flowering angiosperms and screening for antimicrobial and industrially important properties of microbial endophytes from narra (Pterocarpus indicus) and molave (Vitex parviflora) growing in the UP Arboretum
Funding Agency: NSRI
Jessica F.  Simbahan, Ph.D., Project Leader
Project Completion: 30 June 2018


Title: Optimization of production and temperature stability of crude, partially purified and pure laminarinase enzyme
Funding Agency: OVCRD
Jessica F.  Simbahan, Ph.D., Project Leader
Project Completion: 30 September 2018


Title: Biochemical assays of secondary metabolites produced by flora and fauna collected microbes (CANOPI Program)
Funding Agency: PCAARRD
Jessica F.  Simbahan, Ph.D., Study Leader
Project Completion: 31 July 2018