Derilo returns to NVSU after a PhD abroad

Born of poverty, Dr. Reymund Callanga Derilo did not let his financial struggles get in the way of pursuing his dreams and accomplishing a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (Major in Biochemistry) at the National Chung Hsing University, Taichung City, Taiwan, under the DOST-SEI Foreign Graduate Scholarships in Specialized Priority Fields in Science and Technology. After four years of academic journey, Dr. Derilo returns to the Philippines to start his career and earn his mark by doing something bigger than himself.

Dr. Derilo believed that true significance and fulfillment come from taking actions or pursuing endeavors that serve a greater purpose beyond one's interests. Motivated by the invaluable lessons and values instilled by his parents, particularly the importance of education, he embarked on his Ph.D. abroad, allowing him to embrace diverse Asian cultures and engage with a highly developed educational system. “Undoubtedly, it catalyzed personal and professional growth, opening up a fresh arena of possibilities for me,” he mentioned.

His dissertation entitled Studies on Functional Characterization and Secretion Mechanism of Carocins from Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. Carotovorum explored the defense mechanisms of organisms, particularly bacteriocins that inhibit the growth of related microorganisms, focusing on the Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pcc). The research involved creating carocin-related null alleles using genetic techniques and characterizing the bacteriocins produced by Pcc, wherein two novel bacteriocins, Carocin S3 and Carocin S4, are identified. Additionally, the study investigated the extracellular export of bacteriocins in a multiple-bacteriocin-producing Pcc strain, shedding light on their secretion mechanism involving flagellar and injectosome secretion systems. During his stay at NCHU, Dr. Derilo also has three main authorships and two co-authored publications.

At present, Dr. Derilo is at the Nueva Vizcaya State University as an Assistant Professor 4 at the College of Teacher Education – Bambang Campus. His plans involve enhancing students' research capabilities through robust mentoring, facilitating students and faculty to publish their work in reputable research journals as a research coordinator, and establishing a specialized laboratory dedicated to studying bacteriocins and addressing soft rot diseases in agricultural products caused by Pcc within the province.

This endeavor aligns with NVSU's vision to go beyond borders — with Dr. Derilo and other aspiring faculty scholars studying in foreign nations, enhancing their knowledge and skills to serve their purpose as a catalyst for better education.