MANILA — The National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) recognized nine outstanding Filipino researchers in its 85th General Membership Assembly and Annual Scientific Conference at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) on Wednesday.
The nine researchers were given the Outstanding Achievements Awards for their contribution in the fields of basic, applied, and social sciences.
They are Maria Andrea Santiago, a member of the NRCP Governmental, Educational and International Policy Division, who was recognized for her contributions in leadership, educational policy, and poverty alleviation;
Ephrime Metillo, whose research on the assessment of marine biodiversity had helped improve the understanding of aquatic ecosystems and their influence on aquaculture, fisheries, and aquatic resources conservation;
Erna Arollado, who was recognized for her dedication and contributions to pharmaceutical sciences. Two of her notable works were “defining the hemoglobin augmentation property of sessile joyweed” and the “extraction of pectin from fruit rinds and wastes”;
Michael Angelo Promentilla, who was feted for his work in the development and application of decision modeling and risk analysis tools for environmental and energy systems;
Florencia Palis, a member of the NRCP Division of Agriculture and Forestry who was recognized for her work on understanding the culture’s role in different societies and farmers’ adoption of technology;
Priscelina Legasto, who was awarded for her research studies and post-colonial paradigm that have influenced students, teachers, and various institutions in the country;
Evangeline Amor, whose works led to the establishment of the Tuklas Lunas Program Bioassay Facility of the UP Institute of Chemistry;
Gemma Teresa Narisma, who was recognized for her contributions to studies on weather and climate change. This year, Narisma was also appointed as the country’s leader for the NASA field campaign for aerosols and monsoons in the Philippines; and,
Mildred Padilla, who was recognized for her commitment to advocating diverse public health and epidemiology research projects. Padilla was also recognized for ensuring knowledge transfer to farmers to improve animal health, as well as for her advocacy in combatting rabies.
Meanwhile, Gemino Abad, member emeritus of the NRCP Division of Humanities, was also recognized for elevating the local literature and creative writing. The Council said his works have earned local and international recognition. (Ma. Cristina Arayata/PNA)
