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Fungal Biodiversity, Systematics, Ecogenomics, Natural Products, Ethnomycology
Philippines

Biography

My research focuses on the biodiscovery of fungi and the fungus-like protists, slime molds (myxomycetes), in under-explored microhabitats in tropical ecosystems (e.g., canopy soil, wetlands, geographically isolated islands, etc) through a polyphasic approach of morphocultural, physiological and genomics/phylogenetic (DNA barcoding) methods and the understanding of their biodiversity, ecological patterns and interactions through culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches in response to changing landscapes brought about by man-made activities (habitat fragmentation, urbanization) and natural hazards (typhoons, volcanic activities). I conduct research on the bioactivities and natural products of fungi for drug discovery and novel agro-chemicals. My interest on science education and promotion led to the publication of comic books on fungi for kids, on microbiology education and ethnomycology.

Activities

Employment (7)

University of Santo Tomas: Manila, Metro Manila, PH

2016-08-01 to present | Professor 5 (Highest Academic Rank) (Department of Biological Sciences)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

University of Santo Tomas: Manila, Metro Manila, PH

1998-06-01 to present | Faculty Researcher (Group Leader) (Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

University of Santo Tomas: Manila, Metro Manila, PH

2010-06-01 to 2016-07-31 | Professor 1 (Department of Biological Sciences)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

University of Santo Tomas: Manila, Metro Manila, PH

2006-11-01 to 2010-05-31 | Associate Professor 2 (Department of Biological Sciences)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

University of Santo Tomas: Manila, Metro Manila, PH

2002-06-01 to 2006-10-31 | Assistant Professor 2 (Department of Biological Sciences)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

University of Santo Tomas: Manila, Metro Manila, PH

1999-11-01 to 2002-05-31 | Instructor 4 (Department of Biological Sciences)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

University of Santo Tomas: Manila, Metro Manila, PH

1996-06-01 to 1999-10-31 | Instructor 1 (Department of Biological Sciences)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

Education and qualifications (4)

Technische Universität Braunschweig: Braunschweig, DE

2002-10-01 to 2006-06-30 | Doctor of Natural Sciences (Dr. Rer. Nat.) (Institute of Microbiology)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

University of the Philippines - Open University: Los Banos, Laguna, PH

1999-06-01 to 2003-06-06 | Diploma in Science Teaching - Biology (Faculty of Education)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

University of Santo Tomas: Manila, Metro Manila, PH

1996-06-01 to 1999-05-31 | MSc Biological Sciences (Cum Laude) (Graduate School)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

University of Santo Tomas: Manila, Metro Manila, PH

1992-06-01 to 1996-03-31 | BSc Microbiology (Cum Laude) (College of Science)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

Professional activities (30)

Asia Mycology Committee: Beijing, CN

2007-10-01 to 2023-08-31 | Country Representative (Philippines)
Service
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

Department of Agriculture - Biotech Program: Quezon City, PH

2014-08-01 to 2023-07-31 | Member, Technical Committee
Service
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute AG: Basel, BS, CH

2020-10-01 to 2021-05-31 | Special Issue Editor (Journal of Fungi)
Service
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

American Society for Microbiology: Washington, DC, US

2010-01-01 to 2020-12-31 | Member
Membership
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

The World Academy of Sciences: Trieste, IT

2020-02-01 | 2019 TWAS Regional Prize in Development of Scientific Educational Material
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

Philippine Society for Microbiology Inc.: Manila, PH

2019-07-16 | PSM Outstanding Microbiologist
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

KNAW NIOO: Wageningen, Gelderland, NL

2019-04-01 to 2019-04-28 | Visiting Professor (KNAW Visiting Professor Programme)
Invited position
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

Early Career Researchers – Network of Networks : Paris, FR

2017-06-01 to 2018-05-31 | Member, Executive Committee
Service
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

University of Santo Tomas: Manila, PH

2018-05-10 | Gawad Santo Tomas (Outstanding Professor)
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

Mycological Society of the Philippines : Laguna, PH

2007-05-01 to 2018-04-30 | 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)
Membership
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

Technical University Vienna: Vienna, AT

2017-04-28 to 2017-07-25 | Visiting Researcher (EMBO Short-Term Fellowship)
Invited position
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

American Society for Microbiology: Washington, District of Columbia, US

2017-06-01 | ASM Graduate Microbiology Teaching Award
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

Global Young Academy : Halle (Saale), DE

2016-06-01 to 2017-05-31 | Member, Executive Committee
Service
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

The World Academy of Sciences: Trieste, IT

2015-11-28 | TWAS Young Affiliate (2015-2019)
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

Universität Greifswald: Greifswald, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, DE

2015-09-12 to 2015-11-10 | Visiting Researcher (DAAD Re-Invitation Programme)
Invited position
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

Philippine Network of Microbial Culture Collections, Inc. : Manila, PH

2006-11-01 to 2015-10-31 | Public Relations Officer (2006-2007), Secretary (2008), Board Member (2009), President (2010), Vice-President (2014, 2015)
Membership
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

Metrobank Foundation: Makati City, PH

2015-09-03 | Ten Outstanding Teachers of the Philippines (Tertiary Level)
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

Philippine Society for Microbiology Inc: Manila, PH

2015-07-16 | PSM WLF Award for Excellence in Teaching Microbiology Award
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

Global Young Academy: Halle (Saale), DE

2015-01-28 | GYA Member (2015-2020)
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

National Academy of Science and Technology - The World Academy of Sciences: Manila, PH

2014-07-10 | 14. National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) – Third World AcaNAST-TWAS 2014 Prize for Young Scientist in the Philippines (Biology)
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

Philippine Society for Microbiology Inc.: Manila, PH

2009-06-01 to 2014-05-31 | Division Representative – Aquatic Microbiology (2009-2011), Environmental Microbiology (2012-2014)
Membership
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

Philippine Academy of Microbiology : Manila, PH

2011-05-01 to 2014-04-30 | Treasurer (2011-2012), Secretary (2012-2014) - Council of Regents
Membership
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

Indian Mycological Society : Kolkata, IN

2014-02-24 | Honorary Fellow
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

National Botanic Garden of Belgium: Meise, BE

2014-01-04 to 2014-01-18 | Visiting Researcher (GTI Training Grant)
Invited position
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

Chinese Academy of Sciences: Beijing, Beijing, CN

2013-10-01 to 2013-10-31 | Visiting Research (TWAS CAS Visiting Scholars Fellowship)
Invited position
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

National Academy of Science and Technology: Manila, PH

2012-07-12 | Ten Outstanding Young Scientists (OYS) of the Philippines
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

Philippine Academy of Microbiology: Manila, National Capital Region, PH

2012-04-05 | Fellow
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

University of Santo Tomas: Manila, PH

2012-03-28 | The Outstanding Thomasian Alumni (TOTAL) Awards: 2011 TOTAL Young Thomasian Achiever Award
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

University of Arkansas: Fayetteville, AR, US

2011-09-01 to 2011-11-30 | Visiting Researcher (Fulbright Fellowship)
Invited position
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

American Society for Microbiology: Washington, DC, US

2011-06-15 | 20. ASM-UNESCO 2011 Leadership Grant for International Educators
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz

Peer review (2 reviews for 2 publications/grants)

Review activity for International journal of environmental science and technology. (1)
Review activity for Microbial ecology. (1)