UPD Scientists Win 2010 NAST Awards

Well-known scientists and faculty members of University of the Philippines Diliman became this year’s awardees of the National Academy for Science and Technology (NAST). The awarding ceremonies were held during the 32nd Annual Scientific Meeting last July 14-15, 2010 at Manila Hotel. The prestigious NAST Awards for the rank and title of academician were awarded to the following:

1. Dr. Marco Nemesio Montano (Marine Science Institute, College of Science) in recognition of research outputs on the quality of Philippine natural grade carageenan, agars from different seaweeds, alginates and by-products such as seaweed fertilizers and ink for the textile industry. These have significantly contributed to the strengthening and expansion of the Philippine seaweed industry. He has also published more than 40 peer-reviewed scientific articles in local and international journals and holds a utility patent on seaweed-based carageenan gels.
2. Dr. Fernando Siringan (Marine Science Institute, College of Science) for his significant accomplishments in environmental changes and processes from geological to historical time scales that have helped local and national leaders and environmental managers reach informed decisions.
3. Dr. Guillermo Tabios (Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering) in recognition of the pipe network model with optimization he developed for the West Concession of Metro Manila and an optimization simulation model for monthly reservoir operations of Angat Reservoir.
4. Dr. Kerlvin Rodolfo (National Institute of Geological Sciences) for his significant contributions to the field of geology and volcanology: the deep-sea drilling research in the Philippine Sea which showed the cycles of arc sundering in the Marianas Region  and his studies with Filipino scientists on the Mayon and Pinatubo lahars, just to name a few.

NAST Academicians from L-R: Dr. Gisela Concepcion (MSI), National Scientist Dr. Lourdes Cruz (MSI), Dr. Marco Nemesio Montano (MSI), Dr. Rhodora Azanza (MSI), NAST Corresponding Member Dr. Kelvin Rodolfo (NIGS), and Dr. Fernando Siringan (MSI) (Photo Courtesy of Dr. Gil Jacinto of the UP MSI)

On the other hand, the NAST-LELEDFI (LEL Educational Development Foundation, Inc.) Award aims to recognize outstanding research works that contribute to the advancement of the country’s knowledge and practice in Tropical Medicine. The 2010 NAST-LELEDFI Award for Outstanding Research in Tropical Medicine was given to Dr. Windell Rivera and Vanissa Ong (Institute of Biology) on the current advances in the study of trichonomas vaginalis infections in the Philippines. Trichomonas vaginalis is a human urogenital pathogen that causes trichomoniasis, the most common nonviral parasitic sexually transmitted infection in the world.

Awards were also given to Outstanding Young Scientists who have made significant contributions to science and technology:

1. Dr. Fredegusto Guido David of Institute of Mathematics, College of Science  in recognition of his outstanding research in computational biomechanics, an inter-disciplinary area that utilizes mathematical modeling and computational methods to solve significant and relevant medical and biological problems.
2. Ms. Rachel June Gotanco (Marine Science Institute)  in recognition of her pioneering and outstanding research in the field of molecular biology specifically on DNA marker development and their application in the understanding of the ecology and evolution of marine organisms and their management.
3. Dr. Eric Galapon (National Institute of Physics) in recognition of his significant original contributions in the field of theoretical physics specifically on the fundamental issue of time in quantum physics.

NAST is the government’s highest recognition body on science and technology. It gives awards to Filipino scientists whose technological endeavors aim at advancing the state of Philippine science and technology.

By Gracious Romero

Tags: featured

Category: News