Education & Background

UndergraduateBS Chemistry, UP Diliman, 1989
GraduateMS Chemistry, UP Diliman, 1998
PhD Chemistry, UP Diliman, 2003
Postdoctoral &
Visiting Scholar Fellowships
Visiting Associate Professor, Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, University of Maryland at Baltimore County, September to December 2006
Previous Employment & AppointmentsAVP for Academic Affairs (Curriculum and Instruction), UP System, 2020-2023
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, UP Diliman, 2017-2020
University Registrar, UP Diliman, 2011-2015
College Secretary, College of Science, UP Diliman, 2006-2011  

Teaching

Chem 16: General Chemistry I
Chem 31: Elementary Organic Chemistry
Chem 40: Elementary Biochemistry
Chem 145: Principles of Biochemistry I: Structure and Function of Biological Macromolecules
Chem 146: Principles of Biochemistry II: Pathways, Mechanisms, and Regulation Course Detail
Chem 240: Advanced Biochemistry

Research

Research Focus

Natural Products, Drug Discovery & Enzyme Inhibition

The Terrestrial Natural Products Laboratory (TNPL) is an academe-based scientific laboratory that conducts research in the field of natural products chemistry, particularly in drug discovery from terrestrial plants found in the Philippines. The lab sees the potential of the extensive biodiversity of the Philippines and primarily employs the bioassay-guided isolation technique in obtaining the active compounds from the plant/s of interest.

Research in TNPL aims to (1) provide scientific evidence for the ethnopharmacological use of medicinal plants, and (2) discover new and novel compounds that could be developed into drugs that can target specific diseases. TNPL has developed and optimized enzyme inhibition assays in screening plant extracts for potential use in pain, inflammation, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia. AMES toxicity assay is also being conducted in the laboratory.

Selected Publications

(1) G. C. V. Tambago, E. C. Amor. Chalcone Derivatives With Cyclooxygenase Inhibiting Activity. Science Diliman 2022, 34, 38-52.

(2) R. E. P. Acero, C. A. F. Sapico, K. M. R. Cui-Lim, E. C. Amor. Bioprospecting of Philippine Plants from Samar with Butyrylcholinesterase-Specific Inhibiting Activity. Philippine Journal of Science 2022, 151, 1953-1962.

(3) R. E. P. Acero, E. C. Amor. Cholinesterase Inhibiting Activity and In Silico Docking Studies of Blumeatin Isolated from Blumea balsamifera L. DC. Philippine Journal of Science 2022, 151, 545-561.

(4) E. C. Amor, A. P. Attanayake, M. G. Nicolas, G. F. B. Yu, J. O. Macaulay. Undergraduate education in biochemistry and molecular biology: A parallel session at the IUBMB/PSBMB 2019 “Harnessing Interdisciplinary Education in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology” conference. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education 2020, 48, 602-607.

Awards & Extension Work

2017: NRCP Lifetime Achievement Award, NRCP, DOST Philippines
UP Professorial Chairs and Faculty Grants
2022-2024: One UP Professorial Chair Award for Outstanding Teaching and Research
2019-2021: One UP Faculty Grant Award for Outstanding Research and Public Service
Award As Author in a Book
2021: NAST Outstanding Book Award: Tuklas Lunas Protocols for Drug Discovery and Development
Awards of Thesis Advisees
2014: Leticia Shahani Award for Best Undergraduate Thesis in Chemistry – Jacob Noel M. Inguito (BS Chemistry)
2009: Leticia Shahani Award for Best Undergraduate Thesis in Chemistry – Nikki Rose M. Chico (BS Chemistry)
Award in Conferences
2024: Best Poster Award: Phytochemical Profile and Antimigration Activity of Annona muricata L. Leaf Extracts (with Jacob Noel Inguito, Gian Tambago and Jhenica Tan), I2CANPROTECH II – AuRins Bilateral Symposium, University of San Agustin, Iloilo City.
2013: 3rd Best Poster: Anti-inflammatory Activity of M. oleifera Lam Leaves (with Armenia Opog), 33rd Annual PAASE Meeting and Symposium, Plaza del Norte Hotel and Convention Center, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.
Extension Work
2008-present: Secretary, Philippine Environmental Mutagen Society
2013-2023: Secretary, Natural Products Society of the Philippines