USM Remains Rank 1 in Region XII in EduRank Rankings; Rank 30 in the Philippines
March 20, 2026
Further building the University’s reputation for excellence in medical and health-related research, student-researchers from the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) College of Medicine (COM) and College of Health Sciences (CHS) earned top honors at the 2nd Public Health Research Forum held in General Santos City on March 16-17, 2026.
Organized by the Department of Health (DOH) Region XII Center for Health Development, the forum served as a competitive stage for health researchers across the region. USM student-researchers dominated both the undergraduate and graduate categories, securing top spots against various participating higher education institutions.
Eury Bonn Villanueva, from the CHS Department of Nursing, achieved a double victory in the Undergraduate Category, being named Best Oral Presenter and earning the Best Research Paper award for his study, “Sex and Silhouette: Unveiling HPV Risk and Protective Measures in the Lives of Sex Workers.”
Following suit, Mohammad Nur Fahd Abdul, also from the Department of Nursing, clinched the Best Poster Presentation award. His research, titled “Effectiveness of Health Teaching on Levels of Health Literacy and Engagement in Patients Clinically Diagnosed with PTB,” highlighted the critical role of patient education in tuberculosis management.
Meanwhile, the College of Medicine (COM) showcased its research caliber in the Graduate Category. The research team, composed of Johaydin C. Saad, Marwil T. Billones, Christine Abigail B. Tan, and Alexie J. Paquit, took home the 1st Best Research Paper award. Their winning study, “Catching Dengue’s Drift: Habitat Suitability Modeling of Dengue Vectors in the Philippines Using Climatic Variables,” utilized climate data to predict the spread of dengue vectors, a vital contribution to regional disease prevention. Mr. Saad further bolstered the team’s success by being recognized as the Best Oral Presenter for the study.
For Abdul, the achievement underscored the urgent need to bridge the gap between clinical treatment and community-based health education. “My study is anchored specifically toward the ongoing battle of health sectors against pulmonary tuberculosis. I think it’s high time to recognize that there must be something more to help patients, especially now that cases are still rising despite the existence of a National TB Prevention program,” Abdul expressed.
The team’s success also highlighted the invaluable guidance of Dr. Jainah Rose G. Amilbahar and Dr. Jenelle G. Sambo, both of whom provided the expertise and support necessary to refine the methodologies and polish the research frameworks to meet exacting institutional standards.
This remarkable performance by USM student-researchers highlights the University’s burgeoning role as a regional leader in medical and health-related research. By fostering a culture of rigorous scientific inquiry and prioritizing studies that address real-world health crises, USM continues to demonstrate its competency to stand out among top-tier institutions in Mindanao. These recognitions serve as a testament to the University’s commitment to producing globally competitive healthcare professionals and innovative research that directly impacts the well-being of the Filipino community.
