Ivan Lawag

, , ,.

About

Dr. Ivan Lozada Lawag is a multidisciplinary scientist whose research spans natural products chemistry, analytical chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, and pharmacology. His work focuses on the discovery, analysis, and application of bioactive compounds derived from medicinal plants and bee products, particularly in relation to their antioxidant, antidiabetic, and therapeutic potential. He specializes in method development, including the use of HPTLC, HPLC, spectrophotometry, and LC-MS/MS techniques for compound identification, quantification, and bioactivity assessment. Currently, Dr. Lawag is a 2024 Balik Scientist Awardee under the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), assigned at the Institute of Herbal Medicine, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila. In this role, he leads projects focused on optimizing bioassays for antioxidant and antidiabetic activity and contributes to therapeutic drug monitoring of anticancer agents. He also mentors Filipino researchers in advanced analytical techniques and scientific writing, helping build national capacity in natural products research. Dr. Lawag earned his Ph.D. in Pharmacy from The University of Western Australia (UWA), where he developed and validated analytical methods to characterize phenolic profiles in Western Australian honeybee products. His research established a novel HPTLC-based database for phenolic compounds in honey and contributed new insights into the therapeutic value of bee-derived natural products. His published work in journals such as Antioxidants, Molecules, Foods, Chemistry & Biodiversity, and PLOS ONE has earned over 365 citations, with an h-index of 10 and a Web of Science ResearcherID (GLR-5779-2022). Beyond his doctoral work, Dr. Lawag has been affiliated with the Asian Network of Research on Antidiabetic Plants, engaging in collaborative in vivo and in vitro studies across Asia. He has also contributed to scientific policy and journal development in the Philippines through his involvement with the Philippine Association of Medical Journal Editors (PAMJE) and the CENTRAL project, which enhances research visibility and collaboration across local academic journals. In recognition of his contributions to the field, Dr. Lawag has served as a peer reviewer for over 70 international journal submissions across disciplines including pharmacology, food science, and analytical chemistry. He holds memberships in several international and regional scientific bodies, including the Asian Council of Science Editors (ACSE), the Asia Pacific Association of Medical Journal Editors (APAME), the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME), and PAMJE. He also holds the professional designation MRSC (Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry). As a passionate advocate for scientific excellence, mentorship, and research integrity, Dr. Lawag continues to champion the development of evidence-based, sustainable health innovations grounded in Philippine biodiversity and global best practices in research and publishing.

Work

The University of Western Australia

, , Australia

Summary

University of the Philippines Manila

Balik Scientist (DOST-PCHRD)

, , Philippines

Aug 2024→ Present

Summary

Department of Science and Technology- Philippine Council for Health Research and Development

Balik Scientist (DOST-PCHRD)

, , Philippines

Aug 2024→ Present

Summary

University of Western Australia

Adjunct Research Fellow

, , Australia

Dec 2023→ Nov 2026

Summary

University of the Philippines Manila

Balik Scientist (DOST-PCHRD)

, , Philippines

Aug 2024→ Mar 2025

Summary

The University of Western Australia

PhD by Research Student

, , Australia

Feb 2019→ Aug 2023

Summary

Education

The University of Western Australia

, , Australia

University of Santo Tomas

, , Philippines

Nov 2007→ Oct 2013

Master of Science in Chemistry

West Visayas State University

, , Philippines

Jun 2003→ Mar 2007

Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Chemistry

Publications

Estrogenic Isoflavones in Clover Plants, Flower Nectar, Unripe Honeys and Mature Honeys: A Natural Biochemical Transformation of Isoflavones by Honeybees

Foods

Jan 2024

journal-article

Estrogenic Isoflavones in Clover Plants, Flower Nectar, Unripe Honeys and Mature Honeys: A Natural Biochemical Transformation of Isoflavones by Honeybees

Foods

Jan 2024

journal-article

A Critical Exploration of the Total Flavonoid Content Assay for Honey

Methods and protocols

Jan 2024

journal-article

A Critical Exploration of the Total Flavonoid Content Assay for Honey

Methods and Protocols

Jan 2024

journal-article

Estrogenic Isoflavones in Clover Plants, Flower Nectar, Unripe Honeys and Mature Honeys

Foods

Jan 2024

journal-article

Estrogenic Isoflavones in Clover Plants, Flower Nectar, Unripe Honeys and Mature Honeys: A Natural Biochemical Transformation of Isoflavones by Honeybees

Foods

Jan 2024

journal-article

A Critical Exploration of the Total Flavonoid Content Assay for Honey

Methods and Protocols

Jan 2024

journal-article

A Critical Exploration of the Total Flavonoid Content Assay for Honey

Methods and Protocols

Jan 2024

journal-article

Antioxidant Activity and Phenolic Compound Identification and Quantification in Western Australian Honeys

Antioxidants

Jan 2023

journal-article

Bioactivities and Phenolic Profiles of Honeys Derived from Plants of the Goldfields, Esperance and Wheatbelt Regions of Western Australia

Chemistry and Biodiversity

Jan 2023

journal-article

Bioactivities and Phenolic Profiles of Honeys Derived from Plants of the Goldfields, Esperance and Wheatbelt Regions of Western Australia

Chemistry and Biodiversity

Jan 2023

journal-article

Honeys derived from plants of the coastal sandplains of Western Australia: antibacterial and antioxidant activity, and other characteristics

Journal of Apicultural Research

Jan 2023

journal-article

Honeys derived from plants of the coastal sandplains of Western Australia: antibacterial and antioxidant activity, and other characteristics

Journal of Apicultural Research

Jan 2023

journal-article

A Modified Folin-Ciocalteu Assay for the Determination of Total Phenolics Content in Honey

Applied Sciences

Jan 2023

journal-article

A Modified Folin-Ciocalteu Assay for the Determination of Total Phenolics Content in Honey

Applied Sciences

Jan 2023

journal-article

A Modified Folin-Ciocalteu Assay for the Determination of Total Phenolics Content in Honey

Applied Sciences

Jan 2023

journal-article

A Modified Folin-Ciocalteu Assay for the Determination of Total Phenolics Content in Honey

Applied Sciences (Switzerland)

Jan 2023

journal-article

Antioxidant Activity and Phenolic Compound Identification and Quantification in Western Australian Honeys

Antioxidants

Jan 2023

journal-article

Antioxidant Activity and Phenolic Compound Identification and Quantification in Western Australian Honeys

Antioxidants

Jan 2023

journal-article

Antioxidant Activity and Phenolic Compound Identification and Quantification in Western Australian Honeys

Antioxidants

Jan 2023

journal-article

Correlation of the antibacterial activity of commercial manuka and Leptospermum honeys from Australia and New Zealand with methylglyoxal content and other physicochemical characteristics

PLOS ONE

Jan 2022

journal-article

A Comprehensive Survey of Phenolic Constituents Reported in Monofloral Honeys around the Globe

Foods

Jan 2022

journal-article

A Comprehensive Survey of Phenolic Constituents Reported in Monofloral Honeys around the Globe

Foods

Jan 2022

journal-article

A Comprehensive Survey of Phenolic Constituents Reported in Monofloral Honeys around the Globe

Foods

Jan 2022

journal-article

A Comprehensive Survey of Phenolic Constituents Reported in Monofloral Honeys around the Globe

Foods

Jan 2022

journal-article

An investigation of the suitability of melissopalynology to authenticate Jarrah honey

Current Research in Food Science

Jan 2022

journal-article

An investigation of the suitability of melissopalynology to authenticate Jarrah honey

Current Research in Food Science

Jan 2022

journal-article

Australian Honeypot Ant (Camponotus inflatus) Honey-A Comprehensive Analysis of the Physiochemical Characteristics, Bioactivity, and HPTLC Profile of a Traditional Indigenous Australian Food

Molecules

Jan 2022

journal-article

Australian Honeypot Ant (Camponotus inflatus) Honey—A Comprehensive Analysis of the Physiochemical Characteristics, Bioactivity, and HPTLC Profile of a Traditional Indigenous Australian Food

Molecules

Jan 2022

journal-article

Australian Honeypot Ant (Camponotus inflatus) Honey—A Comprehensive Analysis of the Physiochemical Characteristics, Bioactivity, and HPTLC Profile of a Traditional Indigenous Australian Food

Molecules

Jan 2022

journal-article

Australian Honeypot Ant (Camponotus inflatus) Honey—A Comprehensive Analysis of the Physiochemical Characteristics, Bioactivity, and HPTLC Profile of a Traditional Indigenous Australian Food

Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Jan 2022

journal-article

Correlation of the antibacterial activity of commercial manuka and Leptospermum honeys from Australia and New Zealand with methylglyoxal content and other physicochemical characteristics

Plos One

Jan 2022

journal-article

Correlation of the antibacterial activity of commercial manuka and Leptospermum honeys from Australia and New Zealand with methylglyoxal content and other physicochemical characteristics

PLoS One

Jan 2022

journal-article

The Development and Application of a HPTLC-Derived Database for the Identification of Phenolics in Honey

Molecules

Jan 2022

journal-article

The Development and Application of a HPTLC-Derived Database for the Identification of Phenolics in Honey

Molecules

Jan 2022

journal-article

The Development and Application of a HPTLC-Derived Database for the Identification of Phenolics in Honey

Molecules

Jan 2022

journal-article

The Development and Application of a HPTLC-Derived Database for the Identification of Phenolics in Honey

Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Jan 2022

journal-article

α-Glucosidase Inhibitors from the Bark Extract of Ethno-Antidiabetic Ceriops tagal (Perr.) C.B. Rob

Philippine Journal of Science

Jan 2022

journal-article

Optimisation of Bee Pollen Extraction to Maximise Extractable Antioxidant Constituents

Antioxidants

Jan 2021

journal-article

Optimisation of Bee Pollen Extraction to Maximise Extractable Antioxidant Constituents

Antioxidants

Jan 2021

journal-article

Tracking of thermal changes in honey using High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography

Australasian Honey Bee Conference 2021, Perth, Australia, 30/06/21

Jan 2021

conference-paper

Optimisation of Bee Pollen Extraction to Maximise Extractable Antioxidant Constituents

Antioxidants

Jan 2021

journal-article

Optimisation of Bee Pollen Extraction to Maximise Extractable Antioxidant Constituents

Antioxidants

Jan 2021

journal-article

alpha-Glucosidase inhibitory activity of selected Philippine plants

Journal of Ethnopharmacology

Jan 2012

journal-article

α-Glucosidase inhibitory activity of selected Philippine plants

Journal of Ethnopharmacology

Jan 2012

journal-article

α-Glucosidase inhibitory activity of selected Philippine plants

Journal of Ethnopharmacology

Jan 2012

journal-article