My research centers on the pathophysiology, pharmacology, pharmacogenetics and epidemiology of both essential and resistant hypertension but is mainly clinical research. In the Philippines, most of the research that we do is all collaborative research, with funding coming from both government and private institutions.

When I was with Dr. Gavras, I was able to co author 3 papers:

• Hypertension in Transgenic Mice with Brain-Selective Overexpression of the Alpha 2B adrenoreceptor. American Journal of Hypertension (2009); 22, 1, 41–45.
• ACE Inhibition after Experimental Myocardial Infarction: Role of B1R and B2R Receptors of Bradykinin. Hypertension. 2008;51:1352-1357
• Inhibition of the Alpha 1D Adrenergic Receptor Gene by RNA interference (RNAi) in rat vascular smooth muscle cells and its effects on other adrenergic receptors. Vascular Pharmacology, vol 46, issue 5, May 2007, pp.367-372.

I remember I was very excited because I was able to publish 3 papers in such a short time.

Being part of the Guideline Committee on Hypertension and Dyslipidemia is also a substantial scientific contribution, and returning to the Philippines and being able to encourage young students and residents to do research is also a great accomplishment.

Right now, we are doing work on pharmacogenetics and have presented the preliminary data in our local scientific convention.

There are a lot of papers that I believe have contributed to the scientific research that I do right now and it helps that it is freely available.

I am currently part of the Section of Hypertension in the Department of Medicine in the Philippine General Hospital – a national university hospital is conducive to research. We collaborate with our colleagues at our local National Institutes of Health if we want to do basic research.

My proudest moment in science is being able to publish almost every year and being able to impart to young doctors and scientists that you can pursue research in hypertension even in an environment where funding is limited if you only put your mind and heart to it.

My most challenging situation has been working on a research proposal for one year and not being able to get grants/funding for it.

I have travelled as far as Europe and the US for a conference.

I would like to pursue the role of salt in the development of hypertension, and be able to use this data to develop a solid salt reduction program that can contribute to the decline in the prevalence of hypertension in my country.

I have a lot of role models in Science.  In the Philippines, I have a lot of role models and mentors:

• Dr. Aida Baltazar and Dr. Agnes Mejia for giving me the opportunity to train abroad and pursue research in hypertension.
• Dr. Rody Sy,  Dr. Eduardo Punzalan and Dr. Marissa Alejandria for collaborating with me and giving me the opportunity to do research in hypertension.

As I have said above, I would like to pursue research that will be relevant to my country and will help reduce the prevalence of hypertension in the Philippines.

My advice to emerging scientists is to never give up, and pursue whatever projects they want to do, no matter what, if they think it will be for the greater good.