DNA Analysis Laboratory

25/05/2026

Here are the winners of the Essay Writing Competition! Congratulations!

The winners:
• Professional/Postgraduate Student Category: Albert Matthew M. Pasigui for his essay "The Future of DNA Forensics in the Philippines: Accessible, Tangible, and Relevant". Prize P5000
• Undergraduate Student Category: Riley Y. Moya for his essay "V: Beyond Hope, Toward Resolution". Cash Prize P5000
• High School Student Category: Rafaela M. Yatco for her essay "Encoded Truth: A Five Year Vision". Cash Prize P5000

Each of these special prizes will receive P2000.00
• Professional/Postgraduate Student Category (Regional Category): Arizza Joy T. Evardone for her essay entitled "What DNA Forensics Should Be in the Philippines in the Next Five Years: Building Science That the Nation Can Trust".
• Undergraduate Student Category (Regional Category): Avril Shakira E. Villar for her essay entitled 'Pneumonia'.
• High School Student Category (Regional Category): Roj C. Faelnar for his essay entitled "Reforming Justice Beyond the Fallible Human Eye".
• Youngest Thinker Award: Andrei Alkin S. Zarate for his essay "The Unshakeable Scientific Foundation of Philippine Justice".

We are coordinating the release of your awards and are targeting this week. All participants will also receive a signed certificate of participation. Just give the DAL30 team time to recover from last week's very busy schedule!

Thank you to our generous sponsors—Tadhana Foundation, Promega Singapore and Dr. Saturnina C. Halos! Credit to our judges Ms de la Cruz, Ms Sheila E. Dennis and Atty Jose Manguera Jose who evaluated 74 great essays!

21/05/2026

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2232348/ph-developed-forensic-tool-aims-to-improve-sexual-assault-investigations

Justice Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez (right) emphasizes that access to justice goes beyond legal representation. MANILA, Philippines -- Women’s rights advocate and access-to-justice

20/05/2026

Continuation of the DAL30th Anniversary Webinar

20/05/2026

DNA LAB Tour at NSRI!

20/05/2026

[Announcement]

DOST-SEI is now accepting applicants for MA and PhD scholarships for the 1st semester, AY 2026–2027.

20/05/2026

ATTENTION TO ALL RESEARCH PERSONNEL IN BICOL REGION

𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐊 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐒! 📅

The Scientific Career System (SCS), in collaboration with DOST-Bicol, will conduct an 𝗦𝗖𝗦 𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: "𝗕𝗲 𝗮 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁!" on 24 June 2026 via Zoom.

The purpose of the activity is to encourage research personnel to apply to the SCS and increase the number of conferred career scientists in the Bicol region.

The activity will cover topics on:
1) The Scientific Career System;
2) Creation of a Scientific Career Evaluation Committee;
3) Scientific Accomplishments and Guidelines;
4) SCS Scientific Productivity;
5) DOST Magna Carta Benefits;
6) Predatory Journals and Conferences; and
7) Ethics for Researchers

Join us and register through this link: bit.ly/BicolRegionZoomReg or scan the QR Code below!

📌 Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about the SCS!


💚
"Empowering and Promoting our World-Class Filipino Scientists in the Government Service"

20/05/2026

Celebrate the DNA Analysis Laboratory's 30th Founding Anniversary with the theme "Science in the Service of Society: DAL's 30 Years of Forensic and Population Genetics in Action"

19/05/2026

Join us live from the University of the Philippines Diliman for a milestone in forensic science and justice. Today, the DNA Analysis Laboratory (NSRI-UPD) officially unveils the SAI.Kit, a vital new tool designed to standardize and improve the collection of forensic evidence in sexual assault investigations.
Tune in as we hear from the experts behind the kit and learn how this innovation will help support survivors and strengthen the Philippine justice system.
📍 Live from: Conference Room, Natural Sciences Research Institute, UP Diliman
🕒 Event Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

15/05/2026

How can we discuss forensic DNA without talking about evidence and the courtroom?

Join us on 20 May 2026 for the presentation:
“DNA in the Courtroom: Judges as Gatekeepers and Factfinders”
From admissibility of evidence to the interpretation of DNA results, the courtroom remains one of the most critical spaces where science meets justice. As DNA evidence becomes increasingly powerful in criminal investigations, the role of judges in evaluating scientific evidence has never been more important.

Make way — DNA is in the room!
Be part of the conversation during the DNA Analysis Laboratory’s 30th Anniversary Celebration Webinar:
“Science in the Service of Society: 30 Years of Forensic and Population Genetics in Action”

Check the official program for details on the session schedule and speakers.

DNA Analysis Laboratory
UP Diliman Natural Sciences Research Institute
University of the Philippines


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15/05/2026

16 May 2026 — Today, we remember a decision made 30 years ago that would forever change the landscape of forensic science in the Philippines. On this day in 1996, UP President and National Scientist Emil Q. Javier and then Vice President Joseph Estrada signed the Memorandum of Agreement establishing the DNA Analysis Laboratory (DAL) at the Natural Sciences Research Institute, University of the Philippines Diliman.

It began with a vision—that science could help speak for the voiceless, uncover truth from the smallest biological trace, restore identities to the unknown dead, reunite families, and strengthen justice through evidence grounded not in opinion, but in DNA.
DAL became the first university-based forensic DNA laboratory in the country, pioneering forensic DNA profiling—then more commonly called DNA fingerprinting—at a time when many still viewed the technology with uncertainty and skepticism.
Thirty years later, DNA science has transformed the way we understand human identity and biological relationships.

Technologies and protocols developed through years of research now allow us to identify the human source of biological samples and evaluate relationships within families, even across extended pedigrees—provided that samples are properly collected, handled, and preserved. Behind every DNA profile, however, is a human story: a victim waiting for justice, a family searching for answers, a child seeking identity, or a nation striving to build trust in science.
Join our very own scientists, Jazelyn and Christian, as they share DAL’s latest projects and initiatives to expand Philippine reference DNA databases, better understand the genomic diversity of Filipinos, and identify the most informative DNA markers for forensic investigations, human remains identification, and familial testing.

Because the future of forensic science is not only about technology. It is about people, truth, dignity, and the continuing responsibility of science to serve society.

Happening live on Facebook on May 21.
Check our page for the schedule.
DNA Analysis Laboratory
UP Diliman Natural Sciences Research Institute
University of the Philippines

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13/05/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18SvnEMq72/