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DOST Research Council Honors Filipino Researchers

Monday, March 12, 2018 12:18 AM    Views : 3695by:Joselito Alonte Carteciano

Nine Filipino researchers from various fields of basic, applied, and social sciences along with the academic discipline of humanities will receive Outstanding Achievement Awards from the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) of the Department of Science and Technology this March 14, 2018, during its 85th General Membership Assembly and Annual Scientific Conference at the Philippine International Convention Center.

The following are the DOST – NRCP Achievement Awardees, whose research and scientific endeavors have resulted in various high impact innovations and breakthroughs.

Dr. Maria Andrea L. Santiago, a business management expert from the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), was chosen from among the members of the NRCP Division of Governmental, Educational, and International Policy for her contributions in educational policy, leadership, and management; corporate social responsibility; and poverty alleviation.  Her character and attainments in research, particularly in enterprise sustainability as well as educational policy and leadership, have helped elevate the Philippines' position among its Asian peers.

Dr. Erna C. Arollado, the Director of the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of the Philippines Manila, is this year's awardee from the NRCP Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences.  Dr. Arollado is recognized for her exemplary dedication and research contributions to Pharmaceutical Sciences that lean towards the attainment of the country's self-sufficiency in pharmaceutical drugs and other medicinal preparations and formulas. Defining the hemoglobin augmentation property of water plant bunga-bunga (sessile joyweed, Alternanthera sessilis) and the extraction of pectin from fruit rinds and wastes are  two of her best research works. Last January 29, 2018, the research works Dr. Collado and her team on the extraction of pectin from wastes of three (3) fruits - pomelo, durian and jackfruit  were awarded IP protection for Utility Models by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IP PHL).

Dr. Ephrime B. Metillo, a marine biologist from Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology, who trailblazed the assessment of marine biodiversity using basic and advanced tools like DNA barcoding, stable isotopes, and fatty acid analyses, and food web investigations. His works have improved the understanding of the aquatic ecosystems and their influences on aquaculture, fisheries, and science-based integrated aquatic resources conservation, management, and sustainability.  Likewise, his identification of a new Poecilostomatoida copepod species (shrimp-like organisms) that is symbiotic with Chironex, a species of box jellyfish, transcended other works in the NRCP Division of Biological Sciences.

Dr. Michael Angelo B. Promentilla, the founder of Geopolymer and Advanced Materials Engineering Research for Sustainability (G.A.M.E.R.S.) Laboratory and the Head of De La Salle University Waste and Chemical Management Unit of the Center for Engineering and Sustainable Development Research (DLSU - CESDR), is this year's awardee for the NRCP Division of Engineering and Industrial Research.  His exemplary work in the development and application of decision modeling and risk analysis tools for environmental and energy systems along with the design and characterization of sustainable engineering materials cut across other research works in the Environmental, Chemical, and Civil Engineering.

Dr. Florencia G. Palis, is an agricultural anthropologist who conducts research in Cultural Anthropology, Medical Anthropology and Environmental Science. She is also a faculty member of the Department of Social Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños and works with a Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research. Dr. Palis was chosen from among the members of the NRCP Division of Agriculture and Forestry for her valuable contributions in the field of social science and anthropology toward the understanding of the role of culture in various societies and farmers' adoption of technology. Her works on social science research helped bring farmer knowledge and learning into agricultural research and development, particularly in the development and implementation of technologies, the assessment of their impacts, and the transfer of best practices.

Dr. Evangeline C. Amor, who is an Associate Professor V at the Institute of Chemistry, University of the Philippines Diliman is this year's awardee from the NRCP Division of Chemical Sciences.  Dr. Amor is lauded for her contributions to the field of Chemistry of Natural Products. She led the establishment of the Tuklas Lunas Program Bioassay Facility under the UP Institute of Chemistry's Discovery and Development of Health Products Research Program. She has contributed to human capacity building efforts through multi-disciplinary, multi-agency programs like the national program on Drug Discovery and successfully mentors undergraduate and graduate students.

 

Dr. Priscelina P. Legasto is this year's awardee from the NRCP Division of Humanities.  Dr. Legasto is recognized for groundbreaking and seminal research studies and post-colonial paradigm that influenced numerous teachers, students, and cultural practitioners in many institutions in the Philippines. She has authored various scholarly papers, chapters, and critical works on Western influence in Filipino society, culture, and contemporary thought, and has shared her views and knowledge in many reputable universities abroad. Having taught courses in cultural, feminist, and Marxist theory and criticism, Philippine theater history, and post-colonial studies, she has helped shape minds especially the critical character of generations after her. Her efforts exerted in the academe, vigorously sharing research results, ideas, and nationalistic values to people of various backgrounds have earned her esteem as a rare gem among fellow educators.

Dr. Gemma Teresa T. Narisma, the newly appointed Executive Director of the Manila Observatory is this year's awardee for the NRCP Division of Earth and Space Sciences.  She is recognized for her outstanding contributions to studies on weather and climate change, particularly well-cited researches on land cover change impacts on climate. She is involved in the establishment of the Southeast Asian Regional Climate Initiative that paved the way for the Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment for Southeast Asia. She worked with local stakeholders and LGUs in research projects that are inter and multidisciplinary in nature focusing on the integrated analysis of climate change impacts and disaster risk assessments. She was actively engaged in international linkages having worked with scientists in international institutions, including the Japan Meteorological Research Institute and the US Naval Research Laboratory for the development of the country's climate and disaster science. In 2018, she was appointed as the country's leader for the NASA field campaign for aerosols and monsoons in the Philippines.

Dr. Mildred A. Padilla, a Professor of the University of the Philippines Los Baños, College of Veterinary Medicine, (UPCVM: Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Sciences) is this year's awardee for the NRCP Division of Veterinary Medicine.  Dr. Padilla is recognized for her life-long commitment and dedication in advocating diverse public health and epidemiology research projects which touched the lives of those she served in the academe as distinct professor of UPCVM and as a hands-on veterinarian and researcher in the field.  She is also recognized for her commitment to voluntary service in ensuring knowledge transfer to farmers to improve animal health and productivity as well as her unique advocacy of combatting rabies, especially among the vulnerable schoolchildren.

Dr. Gemino H. Abad is acknowledged as Member Emeritus for the NRCP Division of Humanities for his immense contribution to the field of studies, particularly in poetry and literary criticism. Having elevated the status of local literature and creative writing, he has become one of the most celebrated names in Philippine literature. An influential poet, fictionist, essayist, literary critic, and literary historian, his numerous works showcase his exceptional genius. The quality and depth of his works have also earned him the esteem of universities as the literature professor par excellence, and among foreign universities as a Filipino "Poet of Note". As his works have gained local and international acclaim, they have also earned him the honor to represent the Philippines in international events in poetry and literature. Acknowledging his distinctive literary influence, the University of the Philippines named its own Award in Poetry and Literary Criticism after him.

The DOST – NRCP Outstanding Achievement Award started in 1979, 39 years ago, to recognize NRCP innovators, researchers, scientists, and technologists who have made a major contribution to the upliftment of the lives of the Filipino people via S&T activities and other creative endeavors.  To date DOST – NRCP has more than 2,000 active members spread over its 13 scientific divisions.

Source: http://www.nrcp.dost.gov.ph/latest-news/332-dost-research-council-honors-filipino-researchers

S & T Trivia

" In Spring 1999, the water-based insect buster called Household Insecticide (HI) won Gonzalo Catan Jr. the Silver Medal at the 27th International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva, Switzerland. This Filipino innovation makes use of 21 useful microorganisms, among other materials, to kill flies, mosquitoes, termites, ants, roaches, as well as dog ticks, fleas and lice. "

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