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PALAS Board of DIRECTORS
Rodel Jonathan S. Vitor II, DVM, MSc, Phd, DPCLAM
President
Ron is a laboratory animal scientist who focuses his research on non-communicable diseases using animal models. His research mostly focuses on the use of natural products on animal models of stroke, diabetes, obesity, and cancer. He is also working on biosafety, biosecurity, and one health. He was awarded by the Veterinary Practitioners Association of the Philippines (VPAP) as the 2025 Outstanding Veterinarian in Laboratory Animal Practice. Currently, he is a Diplomate and serves as the Vice President of the Philippine College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (PCLAM).
He is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Manila, and currently the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Chair of the institution.
John Sylvester B. Nas, RAgr, MSc, PhD
Vice President
Bryan John A. Magoling, RCh, PhD
Secretary
Bryan is a biochemist and researcher specializing in cancer biology, biomaterials, and biotechnology. He earned his Ph.D. in Biochemical Sciences from the National Taiwan University, where he investigated the role of extracellular vesicles in triple-negative breast cancer. A recipient of the 2024 NAST Talent Search for Young Scientists Award and the 2023 Wang-Ming Ning Memorial Foundation Outstanding Researcher Award, Dr. Magoling has made significant contributions to advancing biomedical innovations. Through his in vitro and in vivo studies, he aims to develop novel health therapies and translational technologies that address pressing healthcare challenges in the Philippines.
Frances C. Recuenco, DVM, PhD
Treasurer
Frances has published collaborative research on pathogens, such as protozoan parasites of Philippine bats.
She is currently an Associate Professor in the Cavite State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
Sharon Yvette Angelina M. Villanueva, MMSc, PhD, RMicro, DPAM
Auditor
Catherine T. Albano, DVM
Director
Che is a veterinarian engaged in laboratory animal research, with a focus on animal welfare and ethical research practices. She has attended specialized trainings on animal welfare and has been invited to speak at seminars and workshops to share insights on animal welfare research. Her involvement also extends to studies utilizing laboratory animals for plant-based research, reflecting her commitment to advancing science while upholding responsible care standards. She is an officer of the Philippine Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA) Region 10 and an active member of the Philippine Association for Laboratory Animal Science (PALAS). She also helps organize welfare-centered activities for researchers in Mindanao, fostering collaboration and awareness in the field.
She is currently serving as Veterinarian II at the College of Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital, Central Mindanao University, where she also chairs the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). In these roles, she supports both clinical services and the ethical conduct of research, aligning with the college’s mission of promoting veterinary education, scientific advancement, and humane treatment of animals."
Delwin D. Capuyo, DVM
Director
Delwin is a licensed veterinarian and a licensed professional teacher in the Philippines. As a college instructor, he serves as adviser and panel member to undergraduate thesis students with research topics focused on natural products development and testing in rodents, rabbit, and poultry as well as toxicity trials using rodent models. Previously, he also taught courses related to laboratory animal production and health management. Aside from being one of the Board of Directors of PALAS, Dr. Capuyo also serves as the Public Relations Officer of the Philippine Veterinary Medical Association-Amihang Mindanao Chapter (PVMA-AMC), Vice-President of the Philippine Society for Microbiology, Inc.-Mindanao Chapter (PSM-Mindanao), and the Assistant Treasurer of the Biorisk Association of the Philippines, Inc.-component society of Agusan del Norte (BRAP-Agusan del Norte).
He is currently teaching courses under the Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Agri-Industries, Caraga State University at Ampayon, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte. Concurrently, he also serves as the Chairperson of the Caraga State University-Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (CSU-IACUC).
Sebastian Jose David, DVM, MBA
Director
AJ is a laboratory animal veterinarian and facility management specialist with extensive experience in the design, operation, and oversight of research animal facilities. He has worked with leading institutions across Asia, focusing on efficient, ethical, and sustainable practices in laboratory animal care, with proficiency in biosecurity, staff training, regulatory compliance, and animal welfare. He currently serves as President of the Philippine College for Laboratory Animal Medicine (PCLAM), the specialty college for laboratory animal veterinarians in the Philippines.
He is currently a Veterinary Services Manager at the SingHealth Experimental Medicine Centre (SEMC), in Singapore, where he oversees veterinary care, research support, and facility operations. He also contributes as a member of the SingHealth IACUC and as a subject expert in Veterinary Sciences for the SingHealth Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) as well as the SEMC SOP and Safety Committees. In the Philippines, he is a founding partner of Davyco Bio Philippines Corp, supporting the research community through practitioner-driven solutions grounded in animal welfare and ethical practice.
Ma. Danica Ines-Ramil, RPh, MSc
Director
Danica focuses on pharmacology and toxicology research, employing enzyme- and cell-based assays alongside laboratory animal models to generate translational insights. Her work investigates natural products for the prevention and treatment of lifestyle-related diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disorders, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and liver diseases. She also explores the role of food bioactive compounds in disease states, probiotics and gut health, and functional foods in enhancing immunity.
She serves as the Laboratory Manager and Principal Investigator of the Cell Culture and Pharmacology Laboratory at the Cellular and Molecular Medical Research Center at the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU). In addition, Prof. Ines-Ramil is a faculty member at the Department of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, MMSU, where she contributes to advancing pharmaceutical education and mentoring the next generation of health professionals.
Alisha Wehdnesday B. Reyes, DVM, MSc, PhD
Director
Alisha earned her PhD degree in Veterinary Preventive Medicine from Gyeongsang National University in the Republic of Korea. She is also a member of the UPLB Zoonoses Center under the Microbial Research Division and a diplomate of the Philippine College of Veterinary Public Health. Her research interests focus mainly on finding alternative treatment, control and prevention of infectious microorganisms using primarily a murine macrophage cell line and a mouse model.
She is currently a faculty member at the Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine in the University of the Philippines Los Baños.
Cherry P. Fernandez-Colorado, DVM, MSc, PhD, DPCLAM
Past President
Che is a microbiologist who specializes in molecular microbiology and immunology, with a focus on the use of animal models to study infectious diseases, particularly those affecting livestock and poultry. She has conducted extensive work on host–pathogen interactions, immune response mechanisms, and the pathogenesis of infectious diseases. She is currently exploring the potential antimicrobial properties of natural products that could serve as alternatives to conventional antibiotics. She is a Diplomate and the Treasurer of the Philippine College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (PCLAM).
She is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Philippines Los Baños.
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