Ma. Mikaella Rosales, a graduating Doctor of Veterinary Medicine student, won the Best Poster Award at the recently concluded 27th University of the Philippines National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH) Anniversary Conference held on March 6, 2025, at the UP Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City.

Her study, “In Silico Analysis Reveals Overlapping Molecular Mechanisms Between COVID-19 and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD),” was the only veterinary medicine entry among the 30 submissions and stood out in a highly competitive field of research from the medical and allied health sciences.

Her study used silico analysis to identify 216 shared genes between COVID-19 and ADHD. It revealed key molecular targets such as Neuropilin-1 (NRP1), Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1), and Interleukin-6 (IL-6). 

These findings contribute to understanding potential therapeutic targets and highlight the relevance of a One Health approach in linking human, animal, and environmental health.

Rosales conducted the research under the guidance of thesis adviser Dr. Mary Jasmin C. Ang, a UPLB College of Veterinary Medicine faculty member.

Ang, who specializes in anatomy, neuroanatomy, and animal behavior, presented the poster at the conference on behalf of Rosales.

Over 500 people participated in the conference, more than 200 of whom were onsite while more than 300 were online. The participants came from various medical and allied health fields across the country.

CVM considers this achievement to exemplify the excellence of UPLB veterinary students in interdisciplinary research and highlight the growing contributions of veterinary science to broader health disciplines.

Congratulations, Mikaella! Your dedication and hard work continue to bring pride to veterinary medicine. (Mary Jasmin C. Ang)