Maria Pinlac

Maria Theresa T. Sarmiento-Pinlac, MD, MSc is a respected physician and educator with over 25 years of experience in clinical pediatrics and medical education. She is known for her commitment to academic excellence and her genuine care for students.

A board-certified pediatrician, Dr. Pinlac earned her medical degree from the University of the Philippines College of Medicine and completed her residency in Pediatrics at the Philippine General Hospital, where she also trained as a Child Protection Specialist. She also holds a Master of Science in Biochemistry, with research conducted at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Grenoble, France.

She has received fellowships from the World Health Organization for advanced training in bioinformatics, immunology, and biotechnology, with trainings in India, Switzerland, and France. Early in her career, she was awarded multiple scholarships from the Philippine Council for Health Research & Development and the National Science and Technology Authority. Her dedication to lifelong learning and service is reflected in her roles as a lecturer, trainer, and speaker across various national platforms.

Dr. Pinlac’s teaching career includes faculty appointments at the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health, Manila Central University, and the University of the Philippines, where she taught Biochemistry and Pediatrics. Clinically, she has served as a consultant pediatrician at leading hospitals such as St. Luke’s Medical Center and PGH, and has held leadership positions in healthcare quality assurance.

Outside academia and clinical work, Dr. Pinlac is a passionate advocate for health education. She has written and edited medical content for the Wyeth Nutrition Science Center website, helping pediatricians stay current with the latest evidence-based insights. She also launched a YouTube channel focused on pediatric health for parents, which now has over 100,000 subscribers—a testament to her ability to connect with a broader audience.

Dr. Pinlac’s relationship with Saba University School of Medicine spans several terms over the years. She has served as Associate Professor of Biochemistry, Professor and Chair of the Clinical Skills/Medicine Department, and has led multiple Clinical Skills and Systems & Disease courses—playing a key role in student training. Her return to Saba in 2025 brings renewed energy and purpose, as she continues to share her unique blend of clinical experience, academic leadership, and public health advocacy with the next generation of physicians.

• Pediatrics
• Biochemistry
• Clinical Skills

• Sarmiento-Pinlac MTT and Ramirez BL. (2008). Isolation, Purification, and Molecular Characterization of the Putative Asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase cDNA of Schistosoma japonicum. Acta Medica Philippina. Genetics Issue 1, 42(2), 72-73.
• Sarmiento-Pinlac MT. (2005). Polymorphisms of the Beta 2 Adrenergic Receptors and Asthma. Philippine Journal of Chest Diseases, 11(1), 65-70.

• Molecular Biology
• Pediatrics
• Health Communication
• Clinical Skills

• Speaker at the 32nd Annual Convention of the Physiology Society of the Philippines (Theme: Addressing Physiologic Challenges in the Promotion of Health) for the topic “Proteomics 101” given on April 27, 2012 in Manila.
• Speaker at the 17th Postgraduate Course of the Department of Medicine of the Manila Central University (Theme: Preventive Medicine Towards the 21st Century) for the topic “Dietary Supplements: Are They Really Necessary ?” given on October 27, 2000  in Caloocan.
• Speaker at the Philippine Medical Association, Southern Tagalog Chapter Conference for the topic  “Legal Aspects of Child Abuse” given on June 10, 2000 in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
• Speaker at the Marikina Medical Association Conference for the topic “Physical Abuse in Children” given on June 5, 2000 in Marikina.
• Speaker at the Philippine Pediatric Society, Central Luzon Chapter for the topic “Child Sexual Abuse” given on February 2, 2000 in Bataan.

• Invited Lecturer in Biochemistry for the Basic Sciences Review for the Philippine Medical Licensure Examination from 2001 to 2011 for different organizations and institutions, including:
  • University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital – 2011
  • Association of Philippine Medical Colleges (APMC) –  2008 – 2010, 2001 – 2004
  • UPEC Medical Boards Review  – 2007 – 2009, 2001 – 2004
  • Fairview Medical Boards Review – 2001 – 2003

• Lecturer and Trainer for the Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses – Philippine General Hospital – 2003 – 2004.

Recipient of 2 World Health Organization Fellowships:

• World Health Organization ( WHO) Fellowship for the South East Asian Training Course on Bioinformatics Applied  to Tropical Diseases held at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India – 2004
• World Health Organization ( WHO) Fellowship for the Advanced WHO/TDR Course on  Immunology, Vaccinology, and  Biotechnology Applied to Infectious Diseases held at the WHO Immunology Research and Training Center, Lausanne, Switzerland and in Annecy, France — 2003