University of Santo Tomas
RCNAS
Fungal Biodiversity, Ecogenomics and Systematics-Metabolomics (FBeS) Group

Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

Tom

I. Education

Doctor of Natural Sciences (Dr. Rer. Nat.), Institute of Microbiology, Technical University of Braunschweig, Germany (10.2002 – 06.2006), Dissertation Grade: Magna cum Laude

Diploma in Science Teaching – Biology, University of the Philippines – Open University, Philippines (06.1999 – 03.2001, 01 – 30.04.2003)

Master of Science in Biological Sciences, Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines (06.1996 – 03.1999), Graduated Cum Laude

Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, College of Science, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines (01.06.1992 – 31.03.1996), Graduated Cum Laude

II. Academic and Administrative Appointments

2016 – present, Professor 5 (highest academic rack), University of Santo Tomas (UST), Philippines

2010 – 2016, Professor 1, UST

2006 – 2010, Associate Professor 2, UST

2002 – 2006, Assistant Professor 2, UST

1999 – 2002, Instructor 4, UST

1996 – 1999, Instructor 1, UST

Taught graduate and undergraduate courses in microbiology and biology:

Graduate courses: Advanced Microbiology, Microbial Systematics and Evolution, Advanced Microbial Genetics, Advanced Microbial Ecology, Current Techniques in Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology, Biology of Myxomycetes

Undergraduate courses: General Biology (for non-Biology majors), General Microbiology, Microbial Systematics and Evolution, Microbial Genetics, Microbial Ecology, Biology of Algae and Fungi, Mycology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Research I


Developed learning materials (laboratory manuals) and course syllabi, served as chairperson for the Committee on Curriculum Review for PhD & MSc Microbiology Programs (2017-2018) and the ASEAN University Network (AUN) Quality Assurance – Biology Committee (2016-2017), and as member of the College Student Disciplinary Committee (2017-2018), 
the Biology Graduate Committee (2011-2013), and Ad-Hoc Committee for Faculty Evaluation (2010-2015), and served as member or chair of the Graduate Examination Tribunal (29 theses evaluated)

2013 – 2015, Chairperson, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Santo Tomas (UST), Philippines

Performed academic duties assigned by the dean as member of the College of Science Executive Committee, prepared and implemented short-, mid- and long-term plans of the department, assigned teaching assignment to faculty members, managed faculty affairs of the department, assisted students with enrollment concerns and other co-curricular activities

2010 – 2011, Coordinator for the Microbiology Program, Department of Biological Sciences, UST

Assisted department chair in assigning teaching load to faculty members of microbiology, managed microbiology laboratory for teaching and student research, assisted microbiology students with enrollment concerns and other co-curricular activities

2011 – 2021, Curator, UST Myxomycete Collection and Database, Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines

Established the myxomycete collection and database housed at UST Mycology Laboratory and created the webpage of Philippine Myxomycetes (https://philmyxos.wordpress.com/)

2006 – 2011, Curator, UST Collection of Microbial Strains (USTCMS), Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines

Maintained and preserved microbial cultures for teaching and research, managed culture collection, conducted microbiological assays
III. Advanced Research Trainings
  1. Fungi up High: A culture-independent approach to the assessment of diversity, community structure and functions of fungi in tropical canopy soils of the epiphytic bird’s nest fern Asplenium nidus, June 2018 – May 2019, Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Techniques learned: environmental DNA extraction, metabarcoding, ecological/statistical analysis 
Funding: CHED Post-doctoral Study Grant 
  1. DNA barcoding of marine and terrestrial strains of Trichoderma, 27 April – 25 July 2017, Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Biological Engineering, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria.
Techniques learned: DNA barcoding, phylogenetic analysis, experiments on fungi-fungi interactions 
Funding: EMBO Short-Term Fellowship
  1. Secondary metabolic profiling as a tool in species identification, 10 November – 20 December 2015, Marine Biodiversity Centre, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom.
Techniques learned: metabolomic profiling using LC-MS 
Funding: DOST PCIEERD BCDA Training Grant
  1. Assessment of ecological patterns of myxomycetes (slime molds), 12 September – 10 November 2015, Ernst Moritz Arndt University Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
Techniques learned: computer-assisted diversity assessment, multivariate analysis 
Funding: DAAD Re-Invitation Programme
  1. Identification of macrofungi and herbarium management, 04 – 18 January 2014, National Botanic Garden of Belgium, Meise, Belgium.
Techniques learned: macrofungal identification, herbarium management Funding: Belgian Royal Institute of Natural Sciences–Global Taxonomy Initiative
  1. Genetic diversity of the fungal endophyte Guignardia (anamorph Phyllosticta) species isolated from Philippine mangroves, 01 – 31 October 2013, State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Instiute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
Techniques learned: DNA extraction, PCR, gene sequence analysis, micro-photography 
Funding: The World Academy of Sciences – Chinese Academy of Sciences (TWAS-CAS) Fellowship for Visiting Scholars
  1. Biodiversity, taxonomy and ecological patterns of myxomycetes associated with aerial and ground leaf litter in temperate (USA) and tropical (Philippines) forests, September 01 – November 30, 2011 (3 months), Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, USA.
Techniques learned: myxomycete identification 
Funding: Fulbright Advanced Lecturing and Research Fellowship
  1. Taxonomy and preservation of plasmodial myxomycetes, herbarium management and development of an interactive database, 04 April – 02 May 2011 (1 month), National Botanic Garden of Belgium, Meise, Belgium.
Techniques learned: myxomycete identification and preservation, herbarium preparation and management, setting-up interactive database 
Funding: Belgian Royal Institute of Natural Sciences–Global Taxonomy Initiative
  1. Molecular identification and phylogenetic analysis of marine fungi, 10 May – 11 June 2010 (1 month), National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), Pathumthani, Thailand.
Techniques learned: genomic DNA extraction, PCR, gene sequence analysis 
Funding: National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), UST Office for Grants and Endowment
  1. Isolation and culture of marine fungi, Halophytophthora and thraustochytrids, 05-11 July 2009, Institute of Marine Biology, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan.
Techniques learned: isolation and purification of fungi from decaying mangrove leaves and woods 
Funding: National Science Council of Taiwan, R.O.C.
  1. Identification of fungi by BIOLOG Phenotype Microarrays and Gene Sequence Analysis, 01-30 April 2005, Institute of Chemical Engineering, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria.
Techniques learned: carbon source utilization profiling using BIOLOG, DNA extraction, PCR, RAPD and gene sequence analysis

Training Courses Attended:

  1. iBioGen Workshop, Theory and practise in metabarcoding for biodiversity, 07-13 January 2021, online workshop.
  2. 2019 Yunnan Metabarcoding School, 12-27 October 2019, Yunnan, China.
  3. GBIF Course, Identifying and publishing HTS/Sanger DNA Sequence datasets, 14-15 January 2019, Dragor, Denmark.
  4. FUB Summer School – Biointerfaces and Surface Characterization, 04-05 October 2018, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany.
  5. International Workshop, Opportunity and Impact Assessment for Research Projects: A Methodology with Applications to Industrial Microbial Biotechnology, 24-26 February 2016, Sirindhorn Science Home, Thailand Science Park, Pathum Thani, Thailand.
  6. Research training, Isolation of mangrove fungal endophytes, 08-12 September 2014, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor, Indonesia.
  7. Research training, Harnessing bioinformatics for in silico design, prediction, and analysis of enzyme – protein structures and functions, 28 October-04 November 2012, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Malaysia.
  8. Training course, Instrument Technology: Application in Nano, Bio and Green Technology, 15-26 October 2012, Instrument Technology Research Center, Hsinchu, Taiwan.
  9. IUMS-SSMB Course, Antimicrobial Resistance in Viruses, Bacteria and Fungi, 14-16 June 2010, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
  10. Training Course, Fungal Herbarium Techniques, 08 June 2010, BIOTEC Bangkok Herbarium, Pathunthani, Thailand.
  11. Training Course, Lichen Identification and Herbarium Techniques, 31 May 2010, Lichen Research Unit, Ramkhamhaeng University, Bangkok, Thailand.
  12. International Workshop, Networking Biodiversity Observation Activities in Asia-Pacific Region (AP-BON Workshop), 21-22 July 2009, Nayori Conference Hall, Nagoya University, Nagoya City, Aichi, Japan.
  13. ICSEM6 Mini-course, Myxomycetes and Conservation, 04 October 2008, Nikita Botanic Garden, Yalta, Crimea, Ukraine.
  14. International Workshop, Taxonomy and Ecology of Myxomycetes, 09-11 January 2008, Mushroom Research Centre, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
  15. Asia-Pacific Conference on Algal Biotechnology (APCAB) Pre-conference Workshop, “Measurement of Algal Growth and Photosynthesis,” 09 – 11 October 2006, Thomas Aquinas Research Complex, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines.
  16. 5th AMC Post-Congress Workshop, “Taxonomy of Polyspores”, 20 November 2004, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
  17. Training course, Advances in molecular biology techniques to assess microbial biodiversity, 20-31 May 2001, ASEAN Regional Center for Tropical Biology (SEAMEO-BIOTROP), Bogor, Indonesia.
IV. Awards, Honors, Fellowships and Scholarships

International Awards

  1. Fellow, ASEAN Young Researchers Pioneering Intellectual Property Programme, Thailand, November 2020.
  2. 2019/2020 Systematics Research Fund, Linnean Society of London and Systematics Association, United Kingdom, June 2020.
  3. 2019 TWAS Regional Prize in Development of Scientific Educational Material, China, February 2020.
  4. SEARCA Regional Professorial Chair Award, Philippines, May 2019.
  5. Fellow, ASEAN 2nd Science Leadership Programme, AKEPT, Malaysia, September 2017.
  6. American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Graduate Microbiology Teaching Award, New Orleans, USA, June 2017.
  7. Fellow, ASEAN Science Diplomats Assembly, Batangas, Philippines, April 2017.
  8. Fellow, TWAS-AAAS 3rd Summer Course on Science Diplomacy, Trieste, Italy, July 2016.
  9. Fellow, ASEAN 1st Science Leadership Programme, Bang Saen, Thailand, June 2016.
  10. TWAS Young Affiliate (2015-2020), TWAS ROESEAP, Vienna, Austria, November 2015.
  11. Delegate, World Science Forum, Budapest, Hungary, November 2015.
  12. Member, Global Young Academy, January 2015.
  13. UNESCO Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme – Young Scientist Research Award, September 2014.
  14. Fellow, Indian Mycological Society (FIMS), Kolkata, India, February 2014.
  15. ASM-UNESCO 2011 Leadership Grant for International Educators, Baltimore, USA, June 2011.
  16. Martin–Baker Research Award, Mycological Society of America, USA, June 2009.

National Awards

  1. National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP), RD Leader for Partido State University, Philippines, April 2020.
  2. Philippine Society for Microbiology (PSM) Outstanding Microbiologist Award, Philippines, July 2019.
  3. 2015 Metrobank Foundation Inc. Ten Outstanding Teachers of the Philippines, Makati City, Philippines, September 2015.
  4. Philippine Society for Microbiology (PSM) Prof. William L. Fernandez Award for Excellence in Teaching Microbiology Award, Manila, Philippines, July 2015.
  5. National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) – Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) 2014 Prize for Young Scientist in the Philippines (Biology), Philippines, July 2014.
  6. National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) – Outstanding Scientific Publication (2013), Manila, Philippines, July 2013.
  7. National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) – 2012 Outstanding Young Scientists (OYS) in the field of Mycology, Manila, Philippines, July 2012.
  8. Fellow in Microbiology (FPAM), Philippine Academy of Microbiology (PAM), Manila, Philippines, April 2012.
  9. Diplomate in Microbiology (DPAM), Philippine Academy of Microbiology (PAM), Naga City, Philippines, April 2010.

Institutional Awards

  1. Gawad Santo Tomas (Outstanding Professor), May 2018.
  2. Gawad San Lorenzo (Recipient of International/National Recognitions), May 2018.
  3. Gawad San Lorenzo (Recipient of International/National Recognitions), May 2016.
  4. University of Santo Tomas International Publication Award 2012-2014 and Publication Award Gold Series Award 2012-2014, February 2016.
  5. Gawad Santo Domingo (Outstanding Community/Extension Service Program), March 2015.
  6. University of Santo Tomas International Publication Award 2010-2012 and Publication Award Gold Series Award 2010-2012, July 2014.
  7. Gawad San Lorenzo (Recipient of International/National Recognitions), March 2014.
  8. University of Santo Tomas International Publication Award 2008-2010 and Publication Award – Gold Series Award 2008-2010, August 2012.
  9. The Outstanding Thomasian Alumni (TOTAL) Awards: 2011 TOTAL Young Thomasian Achiever Award, March 2012.
  10. University of Santo Tomas International Publication Award 2006-2008, July 2010.
  11. Gawad San Alberto Magno (Outstanding Researcher/Natatanging Mananaliksik – Science and Technology), March 2010.
  12. Gawad San Alberto Magno (Best Research Award – Science and Technology), February 2009.
  13. University of Santo Tomas Publication Award – Silver Series 2000 – 2002, February 2003.

Fellowships and Scholarships

  1. Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) Visiting Professor Programme, Netherlands Institute of Ecology, Wageningen, The Netherlands, 01 – 28 April 2019.
  2. Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Post-doctoral Study Grant, Free University Berlin, Berlin, Germany, 01 June 2018 – 31 May 2019.
  3. European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) Short-Term Fellowship, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria, 28 April – 25 July 2017.
  4. DOST-PCIEERD BCDA Training Grant, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom, 10 November – 20 December 2015.
  5. DAAD Re-invitation Programme, Ernst Moritz Arndt University Greifswald, Germany, 12 September – 10 November 2015.
  6. Global Taxonomy Initiative – Royal Belgian Instiute of Natural Sciences – Re-Invitation Program, National Botanic Garden of Belgium, Belgium, 04 – 18 January 2014.
  7. The World Academy of Sciences – Chinese Academy of Sciences (TWAS-CAS) Fellowship for Visiting Scholars, State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China, 01-31 October 2013.
  8. US Fulbright Fellowship – Advanced Research and University Lecturing Program, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Arkansas, USA, 01 September – 30 November 2011.
  9. Global Taxonomy Initiative – Capacity Building Training Fellowship, National Botanic Garden of Belgium, Belgium, 04 April – 02 May 2011.
  10. Deutscher Akademischer Austauschsdienst (DAAD) graduate scholarship grant for doctoral studies, Institute of Microbiology, Technical University Braunschweig, Germany 01 April 2002 – 30 June 2006.
  11. Anthony Aguirre Memorial Scholarship Grant for Master of Science in Biological Sciences, Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines 01 June 1996 – 31 May 1999.
V. Other Professional Contributions

Membership in Journal Editorial Board (number of papers reviewed)

MDPI Journal of Fungi (7), guest editor, Special Issue: Fungi for Biotechnological Application and Environmental Clean-up

MycoAsia – Journal of Modern Mycology, associate editor, Editorial Board (2020-present)

Current Research on Applied and Environmental Mycology (3), associate editor, Editorial Board (2016-present)

FineFocus: Journal of Undergraduate Microbiology Research (1), member, Editorial Board (2014-present)

Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education (2), member, Editorial Board (2012-2014)

Journal Reviewer (2006 – present)

FEMS Microbiology Letters (1), Fungal Biology (1), Mycologia (1), Microbial Ecology (1), PeerJ (1), African Journal of Microbiology (1), Sydowia (3), Botanica Marina (2), Biotropia (2), International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology (1), Journal of Basic Microbiology (1), Community Ecology (1), Global Ecology and Conservation (1), BMC Microbiology (1), Philippine Science Letters (1), Acta Manilana (1), Philippine Journal of Systematic Biology (1), Philippine Journal of Science (2), Philippine Journal of Nature Studies (1), Diliman Science (1), Philippine Agricultural Scientists (1)

Grant Proposal Evaluator (2014 – present)

  • Philippines: Department of Agriculture (DA) – Biotechnology Program (7 proposals)
  • Philippines: CHED-PCARI Cycle 5 – Research Proposal (2 proposals)
  • Philippines: DOST-PCHRD (1 proposal)

Membership in Professional Societies and Organizations

International Organizations

  1. Global Young Academy (GYA): Member (2015-2020), Executive Committee (2016-2017)
  2. Early Career Researchers – Network of Networks (ECR-NON), Member, Executive Committee (2017-2018), GYA Representative to ECR-NoN (2016-present)
  3. The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) Young Affiliate Network, Member (2015-2020)
  4. Asia Mycology Committee (AMC), Philippines – Country Representative (2007-2023)
  5. Future Earth, Member (2020)
  6. Systematics Association (SA), Member (2018-2020)
  7. European Society for Evolutionary Biology (ESEB), Member (2017-2018)
  8. British Mycological Society (BMS), Student Member (2005), Regular Member (2006-2014)
  9. American Society for Microbiology (ASM), Member (2010-2020)
  10. World Association of Young Scientists (WAYS), Member (2015-present)
  11. ASEAN Network on Microbial Utilization (ANMicro), Member (2015-present)
  12. Asia Pacific Biodiversity Observation Network (APBON), Member (2009-present)
  13. International Society for Fungal Conservation (ISFC), Founding Member (2010-present)
  14. Indian Mycological Society (IMS), Honorary Fellow (2014)

National Organizations

  1. Philippine Academy of Microbiology (PAM), Secretary, Council of Regents (2012-2013, 2013-2014), Treasurer, Council of Regents (2011-2012)
  2. National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP), Regular Member (2011-present), Associate Member (2007-2011)
  3. Outstanding Young Scientists, Inc. / Philippine Academy of Young Scientists, Board Member (2014-2016), Member (2012-present)
  4. Philippine Society for Microbiology, Inc. (PSM), Division Representative – Environmental Microbiology (2012-2013, 2013-2014), Division Representative – Aquatic Microbiology (2009-2010, 2010-2011), Life Member (2001-present)
  5. Philippine Network of Microbial Culture Collections, Inc. (PNMCC), President (2010), Vice-President (2014, 2015), Secretary (2008), Public Relations Officer (2006-2007), Board Member (2009), Member (2001-present)
  6. Mycological Society of the Philippines (MSP), NCR Representative (2007-2008, 2012-2013, 2016-2017), Business Manager (2008-2009), Public Relations Officer (2010-2011, 2014-2015, 2017-2018), Board Member (2009-2010), Life Member (2007-present)
  7. Association of Systematic Biologists of the Philippines (ASBP), Assistant Secretary (2012-2014), Life Member (2007-present)
  8. Biology Teachers Association of the Philippines (BIOTA), Board Member (2015-2016), Life Member (2007-present)
  9. Natural Products Society of the Philippines (NPSP), Member (2004 – 2014)
  10. Philippine Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PSBMB), Life Member (2013)

Membership in International Scientific Committees and Working Groups

  1. Member (as GYA Representative), Early Career Researchers – Network of Networks (ECR-NoN) Working Group Future Earth, 2016 – present.
  2. Member/Lead, Global Young Academy (GYA) Working Groups
    • Membership Selection Committee (2018-2019)
    • WG Expedition Mundus (2015-present)
    • WG Science for Youth Education (2016-present)
    • Incubator WG Biodiversity and Biomedicine (2016-present)
    • Incubator WG Science Diplomacy (2016-present)
  3. Selection Committee Member, Global Young Academy (GYA) Nominees to:
    • AASSA-IAP-FNSA (November 2016)
    • Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings (October 2016)
    • Roundtable Discussion on Advancing Ocean Sciences in Africa (February 2016)
  4. Member, International Scientific Advisory Committee:
    • Asian Mycology Congress, 07-10 October 2015, Goa, India.
    • 8th International Congress on the Systematics and Ecology of Myxomycetes (ICSEM), 12 – 15 August 2014, Changchun, China.
    • Asian Mycology Congress 2013 & 13th International Marine and Freshwater Mycology Symposium, 19-24 August 2013, Beijing, China.
    • Asian Mycology Congress 2011 & 12th International Marine and Freshwater Mycology Symposium, 07-11 August 2011, University of Incheon Convention Center, Incheon, South Korea.