President Aquino Honors Four New National Scientists
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Four distinguished scientists, Academicians Gavino C. Trono, Angel C. Alcala, Ramon C. Barba, and Edgardo D. Gomez, were conferred the rank and title of National Scientist by President Benigno S. Aquino III by virtue of Malacañang Proclamation Nos. 737, 782, 783, and 843 on August 12, 2014 at the Malacañang Palace, in recognition of their outstanding works and contributions to science and technology in the country.
Academician Trono was recognized for his extensive studies on the culture of seaweed species, such as Eucheuma denticulatum, Kappaphycus alvarezii, Gracilaria spp., Caulerpa lentillifera, and Halymenia durvillaei, which benefited many people among the coastal populations. He identified and described 25 new species of marine benthic algae and successfully implemented 45 research projects, which resulted in the publication of 142 scientific papers. He established the largest phycological herbarium in the country —the G.T. Velasquez Herbarium in the Marine Science Institute of the University of the Philippines,which houses more than 70,000curated herbarium specimens of the seaweed flora. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Botany from the University of the Philippines Diliman (1954), Master of Science in Agricultural Botany from the Araneta University (1961), and Doctor of Philosophy in Botany (Marine) from the University of Hawaii (UH) through an East West Center Study Grant (1968).
Academician Alcala was recognized for his seminal and original research on the systematics, ecology, and conservation of vertebrates, particularly in herpetology, by providing valuable basic knowledge on the country’s rich biodiversity and ecology. He served as a pioneer scientist and advocate in the protection of coral reefs leading to a national policy and program that established the no-take marine reserves, a specific type of marine protected area (MPA) set aside by the government where no extractive activity is allowed. The MPA mode of protection of marine ecosystems has been cited internationally and show-cased in the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, U.S.A. as a model of coastal resource management and conservation. He obtained his B.S. in Biology magna cum laude from Silliman University in 1951 and his M.A. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Stanford University in 1960 and 1966, respectively.
DOST and NAST PHL Recognize Outstanding Individuals and Publications at the NSTW 2014
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The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) opened the National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) on July 24, 2014, Tuesday held at the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City. This year’s event was anchored on the theme “Philippines: A Science Nation Meeting Global Challenges”. The NSTW celebration showcased the current trends, innovations, interventions, and inventions of Filipino scientists, engineers, technologists, and various works by the entire scientific community, such as technologies and programs geared towards strengthening the manufacturing industries, SMEs, human resources capabilities, e-governance, and disaster preparedness, among others.
In partnership with the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL), DOST presented four (4) major awards, namely: Outstanding TechnologyCommercialization Award, also known as the Gregorio Y. Zara Medal; Outstanding Research and Development Award for Basic Research or the Eduardo A. Quisumbing Medal and Applied Research or the Julian A. Banzon Medal; and the Outstanding Science Administrator Award, otherwise known as the Dioscoro L. Umali Medal.
The Outstanding Technology Commercialization Award recognizes the efforts of technology generators and developers whose technologies have been commercialized. The award was named after the late National Scientist Gregorio Y. Zara, renowned Filipino engineer and inventor. For 2014, the award was given to Ms. Tessie C. Nuñez of the Visayas State University, Visca, Baybay City. She was recognized for her successful commercialization of the coconut with the soft glutinous meat or endosperm , commonly known as makapuno, which is widely used to make dessert, ice cream flavoring, cake topping, pastry filling, and as a major ingredient in the production of wood wrap being exported to the United States
In partnership with the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL), DOST presented four (4) major awards, namely: Outstanding TechnologyCommercialization Award, also known as the Gregorio Y. Zara Medal; Outstanding Research and Development Award for Basic Research or the Eduardo A. Quisumbing Medal and Applied Research or the Julian A. Banzon Medal; and the Outstanding Science Administrator Award, otherwise known as the Dioscoro L. Umali Medal.
The Outstanding Technology Commercialization Award recognizes the efforts of technology generators and developers whose technologies have been commercialized. The award was named after the late National Scientist Gregorio Y. Zara, renowned Filipino engineer and inventor. For 2014, the award was given to Ms. Tessie C. Nuñez of the Visayas State University, Visca, Baybay City. She was recognized for her successful commercialization of the coconut with the soft glutinous meat or endosperm , commonly known as makapuno, which is widely used to make dessert, ice cream flavoring, cake topping, pastry filling, and as a major ingredient in the production of wood wrap being exported to the United States
Outstanding Scientists and Publications Lauded During the Nast 36th Annual Scientific Meeting
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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 36th Annual Scientific Meeting on July 9-10, 2014. Awards presented were 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 (OYS) 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 2014, 12 honorees were given the distinction as OYS awardees. They were: Glenn S. Banaguas, Master in Environmental Management, Rommel C. Sulabo, Ph.D. (Animal Science), Ian Kendrich C. Fontanilla, Ph.D. (Genetics), Karl Marx A. Quiaxon, Ph.D. (Aquatic Biosciences), May T. Lim, Ph.D. (Physics), Richard S. Lemence, Ph.D. (Mathematics), Jessie Pascual P. Bitog, Ph.D. (Agricultural and Rural Systems), Rhoda B. Leron, Ph.D. (Chemical Engineering), Paolo Antonio S. Silva, M.D. (Ophthalmology), John Mark S. Velasco, M.D. (Public Health), Geoffrey M. Ducanes, Ph.D. (Economics), and Analyn Salvador-Amores, Ph.D. (Social and Cultural Anthropology).