Johnathan Sarines

Featured on January 9, 2022

This week,  we’re joined by Johnathan Sarines, a molecular biologist in action amidst and for the global health crisis.

Johnathan graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology major in Human Biology at De La Salle University-Dasmariñas while working as a research assistant at the same university for a DOST-PCHRD-funded collaborative project on the development and formulation of Philippine medicinal plant-based medicine for dengue. His undergraduate thesis elucidated the effects of certain Philippine berries towards enzyme targets for diabetes.

He then pursued a Master’s degree in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (minor in Biochemistry) at the University of the Philippines – Los Baños through the DOST-ASTHRDP scholarship. He also worked as a University Research Associate II for an internally funded research project involving recombinant buffalo antibody libraries for diagnostic development. Under this project, he conducted his thesis where he screened, isolated, and characterized a schistosome antigen-specific monoclonal antibody from the phage-displayed bovine antibody libraries.

During the pandemic’s onset, Johnathan graduated with his Master’s degree–making it a timely opportunity to put his field of study into practice by participating in the pandemic response of a National Reference Laboratory, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine. Currently, he is a Science Research Specialist II – Molecular Biologist of the Molecular Biology Laboratory. Beyond his current affiliation, he also volunteers as one of the mentors of the Science Integrated Direction for High School Investigators Philippines.

Fun facts about Johnathan:

• “Ju” has been his nickname ever since his undergraduate years. It is a shortened version of “Junatan”. But the correct pronunciation of his first name is  \ˈjä-nə-thən\.
• Ju is currently a Ravenclaw. But he previously identified as Slytherin during the Potterhead days. Wand? Sycamore wood with a phoenix feather core, 13 ¼” and slightly springy flexibility. Patronus? Impala.
• He likes cats, but does not mean he hates dogs.