Mandated to recognize outstanding achievements in science and technology and to serve as a reservoir of competent scientific and technological manpower for the country, the National Academy of Science and Technology Philippines (NAST PHL) recognized distinguished Filipino scientists and outstanding publications during NAST’s 37th Annual Scientific Meeting on July 8-9, 2015.
Five new Academicians were sworn in and joined the roster of NAST Members. They are: Ceferino P. Maala, Ph.D. (Veterinary Medicine), Jurgenne H. Primavera, Ph.D. (Marine Science), Estrella F. Alabastro, Ph.D. (Chemical Engineering), Fortunato B. Sevilla III, Ph.D. (Instrumentation and Analytical Science), and Edward H.M. Wang, M.D. (Orthopaedics).
Awards presented included the following: Outstanding Young Scientist (OYS), The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) for the Advancement of Science in Developing Countries Prize for Young Scientists in the Philippines, NAST Environmental Science Award, NAST Talent Search for Young Scientists, Outstanding Books and Monographs, Outstanding Scientific Papers, and Best Scientific Posters.
The Outstanding Young Scientists award is given to young Filipino scientists (must not be 41 years old within January to December in the year of the award) who have made significant contributions to science and technology. For 2015, seven (7) honorees were named OYS awardees: Dennis V. Umali, Ph.D. (Veterinary Science), Aimee Lynn Barrion-Dupo, Ph.D. (Entomology), Joey D. Ocon, M.Sc. (Chemical Engineering), Rex Ferdinand M. Traifalgar, Ph.D. (Fisheries Science), Enrico C. Paringit, Dr. of Engineering, Allan Patrick G. Macabeo, Ph.D. (Organic Chemistry), Clarissa C. David, Ph.D. (Communication).
The TWAS Prize for Young Scientist in the Philippines is an award given to outstanding young Filipino scientist by the Academy (NAST) and TWAS in the field of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, or Physics. He or she must not be 41 years old during the year of the award. . For 2015, Allan Patrick G. Macabeo, Dr. Nat. Sci. (Organic Chemistry) was the recipient of the said award.
This year’s NAST Environmental Science Award was jointly awarded to Arsenio B. Ella, MS (Forestry) and Severino G. Salmo III, Ph.D. (Biological Science). This award recognizes outstanding scientific and technological research works that contribute to environmental protection and conservation. Launched in 2001 through the efforts of the late National Scientist Perla D. Santos Ocampo, the competition is held during the celebration of the World Earth Day, every 22nd day of April.
The NAST Talent Search for Young Scientist top awardee for 2015 is Drandreb Earl O. Juanico, Ph.D. (Physics), Technological Institute of the Philippines. This project of the Academy encourages young people (must not be more than 35 years old within January to December in the year of the award) to pursue a career in science. Dr. Juanico obtained the first prize for his outstanding research entitled, “Epidemic cycle induced by intervention in a susceptibility-structured population”. The second prize was awarded to Charlotte Kendra D.Z. Gotangco, Ph.D. (Earth and Atmospheric Sciences), Department of Environmental Science, Ateneo de Manila University for her research entitled, “A sensitivity analysis of surface biophysical, carbon, and climate impacts of tropical deforestation rates in CCSM4-CNDV”. Romar B. Dela Cruz, Ph.D. (Mathematical Science), Institute of Mathematics, University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman received the third prize for his research entitled: “Cheating-immune secret schemes from codes and cu¬mulative arrays”. Special Citations went to Rose Ann G. Franco, M.S. (Medical Science), UP Los Baños, for her research , “Utilization of polyvinylphosphonic acid (PVPA) and its effect on the material properties and biocompatibility of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) electrospun membranes” and Pierangeli G. Vital, Ph.D. (Biology), Institute of Biology, UP Diliman, for her research entitled, “Microbiological quality of fresh produce from open air markets and supermarkets in the Philippines”.
The NAST Outstanding Book Award is given annually to recognize books and/or monographs published by Filipino publishers based in the Philippines within five years preceding the award. For 2015, the winners of the award are the following: (1) Changing Philippine Climate: Impacts on Agriculture and Natural Resources (by Josefino C. Comiso, Catalino A. Blanche, Terry I. Sarigumba, Ma. Victoria O. Espaldon, Felino P. Lansigan, Nestor T. Baguinon, Roger C. Birosel, Jesusita O. Coladilla, Rex Victor O. Cruz, Leonardo M. Florece, Rafael D. Guerrero III, Rodel D. Lasco, Rosa T. Perez, Juan M. Pulhin, Lourdes V. Tibig) The University of the Philippines Press 2014; (2) Health Management in Aquaculture (Second Edition) (by Gilda D. Lio-Po and Yasao Inui) ISBN 978-971-0487-56-1 Published by Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center Aquaculture Department 2010; and (3) The RH Wars: Framing the Population and Productive Health Debate (IPC Culture and Development Series No. 10) (by Clarissa C. David, Antonio G.M. La Viña, and Jenna Mae L. Atun) ISBN 978-971-861-064-0 Published by Institute of Philippine Culture, School of Social Sciences, Ateneo de Manila University 2014.
The NAST Outstanding Scientific Paper Award is given annually to recognize outstanding scientific papers published in Philippine scientific or technical journals within five years preceding the award. For 2015, the following are the winners for this award: (1) lntegrating bio-physical, social, financial and market factors for a sustainable upland agricultural development in Casiguran, Aurora, Philippines (by Walfredo R. Rola, Rodrigo B. Badayos, Pompe C. Sta. Cruz, Moises A. Dorado, Ronaldo O. Rogel, and Florentino R. Monsalud); (2) Soil chemical and physical properties with rice straw management during fallow period (by Michelle B. Castillo, Cezar P. Mamaril, Erlinda S. Paterno, Pearl B. Sanchez, Rodrigo B. Badayos, and Pompe C. Sta. Cruz); (3) Utilization of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technology for detecting White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) and Vibrio spp. in Litopenaeus vannamei in selected sites in the Philippines (by Amalea Dulcene D. Nicolasora, Mary Beth B. Maningas, Benedict A. Maralit, Christopher Marlowe A. Caipang, Mudjekeewis D. Santos, and Adelaida Calpe); (4) Molecular phylogeny of the genus Bikkia (Rubiaceae) including a new endemic Philippine inland forest species Bikkia montoyae (by Grecebio Jonathan D. Alejandro, Lorenzo Angelo R. Santos, Hao Wei C. Hsu, Michelle Samantha S. Mejillano, Propa Joy R. Santor, and Victor B. Amoroso); (5) Mathematical analysis of bistability in reduced models of apoptosis (by Joseph Ray Clarence G. Damasco, Marian P. Roque, Ricardo C.H. Del Rosario); (6) Physico-chemical and microbiological parameters in the deterioration of virgin coconut oil (by Ian Ken D. Dimzon, Melodina F. Valde, Jaclyn Elizabeth R. Santos, Mark Joseph M. Garrovillas, Henson M Dejarme, Jo Margarette W. Remollo, and Fabian M. Dayrit); (7) Design, fabrication and performance evaluation of a photobioreactor for the cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris (Beijerinck) (by Denise Ester O. Santiago, Rex B. Demafelis, Milagrosa Martinez-Goss, June Owen O. Nacorda, Nerissa K. Torreta, Butch G. Bataller, Mark Jason H. Redondo, Nickson L. Jao, Lisa Stephanie H. Dizon); (8) A molecular dynamics investigation of water migration in a lipidbilayer for microalgae drying (by Robby Manrique, Aristotle Ubando, Al Rey Villagracia, Jennifer Corpuz, Allan Abraham Padama, Melanie David, Nelson Arboleda Jr., Alvin Culaba, Hideaki Kasai); (9) Shocks to Philippine households: incidence, idiosyncrasy, and impact (by Joseph J. Capuno, Aleli D. Kraft, Stella A. Quimbo, and Carlos Antonio R. Tan Jr.); (10) Productivity of rice farming in the Philippines: Patterns and sources (by Flordeliza H. Bordey and Carl H. Nelson).
The ASM Best Scientific Poster Awards are given annually to recognize outstanding scientific posters submitted for presentation during the ASM. The criteria for judging the Best Scientific Posters are: scientific merit, importance/relevance to national development, and poster effectivity. The following are the winners in this category for this ASM : (1) Physiological Response Of Rice And Weeds Under Anaerobic Germination And Its Implications For Crop Management by Frederickson D. Entila, Swarna Herath, Ofelia S. Namuco, Evangelina S. Ella, David E. Johnson, and Abdelbagi M. Ismail (Agricultural Sciences); (2) Novel Antituberculosis, Anti-Staphylococcal, Cytotoxic, Anti-Tyrosinase, And Anti-Acetylcholi-Nesterase Oxidized C-6 Derivatives From Philippine Uvaria Species by Peter Yousel M. Rubio, Angeli Izza G. Flores, Arianne Letada, Hans-Martin Dahse, Scott G. Franzblau, and Allan Patrick G. Macabeo (Biological Sciences); (3) Delignification and Saccharification of Sweet Sorghum Bagasse Using the Combination of Alkaline and Fungal Treatment by Dane Mikhael S. Calica and Shirley C. Agrupis (Engineering Sciences And Technology); (4) Comparative In-Vitro Effect Of Bevacizumab, Mitomycin C, 5-Fluorouracil and Triamcinolone Acetodine on Human Tenon’s Fibroblast Primary Culture by Pius Jonas Ocampo, Ma. Margarita Lat-Luna, Joseph Anthony Tumbocon, Polly Chao-Po, Andrei Martin, Ma. Luisa Enriquez, Loraine Kay Cabral and John Timothy Hangod (Health Sciences Division); (5) Spectrophotometric Determination of Coenyme Q10 Using Polyaniline Film as Optical Sensor by Ma. Cristina B. Portilla, Jason Paul C. Monlinong, Fiona Gee V. Cariaga, and Cherrie B. Pascual (Mathematical and Physical Sciences Division); (6) Education and Internally Displaced Persons: Do Schools in Lanao Have Support Mechanisms for Rido-Affected Students?” Juvanni A. Caballero and Mark Anthony J. Torres (Social Sciences Division).