The National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL), the highest recognition body on science and technology (S&T), recognized outstanding Filipino scientists for their significant scientific contributions to the country.
The awarding ceremony for the 2023 NAST Awardees was held on July 13 as the culminating activity of the 45th NAST Annual Scientific Meeting on July 12 and 13 in Manila.
The ceremony also introduced the new members of the Academy, the 2023 Outstanding Young Scientists and the researchers who won this year’s set of awards.
New NAST Academicians, Corresponding member
Membership to the Academy is given to Filipino resident scientists who have made exemplary contributions to S&T in the Philippines.
The four new
Academicians are:
Elmer P. Dadios, Ph.D.
(Manufacturing Engineering),
De La Salle University (DLSU)
Maria Corazon A. de Ungria, Ph.D.
(Microbiology), University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD)
Gil S. Jacinto, Ph.D.
(Chemical Oceanography), UPD
Roel R. Suralta, Ph.D.
(Agricultural Sciences), Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice)
The NAST PHL Corresponding membership is conferred on nonresident Filipino scientists who have made exemplary contributions to the advancement of science and technology and must have continuing connections and contributions to Philippine science.
The new Corresponding Member is:
Leodevico l. Ilag, Ph.D.
(Microbiology and Immunology)
Outstanding Young Scientist Award
The Outstanding Young Scientist (OYS) Award is given to young Filipino scientists below the age of 40 years, who have made significant contributions to S&T.
Each awardee is given a NAST trophy and a cash prize of P150,000. Each awardee is also entitled to a research grant of P1 million from DOST for an approved research proposal.
The nine OYS awardees are:
Nonawin L. Agustin, Ph.D.
(Agricultural Science), PhilRice
John Jamir Benzon R. Aruta, Ph.D.
(Counseling Psychology), DLSU
Fulgent P. Coritico, Ph.D.
(Biology), Central Mindanao University
Ronnie S. Concepcion II, Ph.D.
(Electronics and Communications Engineering), DLSU
Jillian Aira S. Gabo-Ratio, D.Eng.
(Earth Resources Engineering), UPD
Reinabelle C. Reyes, Ph.D.
(Astrophysics), UPD
Albert Remus R. Rosana, Ph.D.
(Microbiology and Biotechnology), UP Los Baños
Moises Neil V. Seriño, Dr.rer.pol.
(Economics), Visayas State University
Ourlad Alzeus G. Tantengco, M.D., Ph.D.
(Molecular Medicine), UP Manila
Outstanding Book/Monograph Award
The Outstanding Book/Monograph (OBM) Award is given annually for books and/or monographs published by Filipino publishers based in the Philippines within five years preceding the award with the majority of the authors of publication being Filipinos. Each of the awardees will receive a plaque of recognition and a cash prize of P25,000.
This year’s OBM awardees are:
“The Philippines’ Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Learning from the Experience and Emerging Stronger to Future Shocks”
(Celia M. Reyes, ed., Michael Ralph M. Abrigo, Jose Ramon G. Albert, Arkin A. Arboneda, Ronina D. Asis, Roehlano M. Briones, Carlos C. Cabaero, Maria Margarita Debuque-Gonzales, Charlotte Justine Diokno-Sicat, Kris A. Francisco, Nel Jason L. Haw, Adoracion M. Navarro, Aniceto C. Orbeta Jr., Ma. Kristina P. Ortiz, Francis Mark A. Quimba, Sheila V. Siar, Aubrey D. Tabuga, Valerie Gilbert T. Ulep, Jhanna Uy, Anna Rita P. Vargas, and Jana Flor V. Vizmanos). Philippine Institute for Development Studies, 2022.
“Transfiguring Mindanao:
A Mindanao Reader”
(Jose Jowel P. Canuday and Joselito T. Sescon, eds.) Ateneo de Manila University Press, 2022.
Outstanding Scientific
Paper Award
The Outstanding Scientific Paper (OSP) Award is given annually for papers published in Thompson Reuters or SCOPUS-listed journals in the Philippines within five years preceding the award. Each awardee will receive a plaque of recognition and a cash prize of P15,000.
This year’s OSP awardees are:
“Vulnerability to Climate Change of ‘Giant Squid”
(Thysanoteuthis rhombus) Fishery in Marinduque, Philippines” (Paloma D. De Chavez, Gilda Joannah A. Calderon, Sherwin B. Santos, Emmanuel M. Vera Cruz, and Mudjekeewis D. Santos). “The Philippine Journal of Fisheries,” 28 (2), 171-180, 2021.
“Social support, well-being, and involvement of fathers with transnational families in the Philippines”
(Melissa R. Garabiles). “Asian and Pacific Migration Journal,” 4 (29), 492-510, 2020.
NAST Talent Search for Young Scientists
The NAST Talent Search for Young Scientists (NTSYS) is a project of NAST to encourage the youth to pursue a career in science.
The winners will receive plaques of recognition and a cash prize of P45,000 for the first prize; P30,000 for the second prize; and P20,000 for the third prize.
The first prize winner will also be receiving a research grant worth P500,000 for an approved proposal.
The special citation winners will each receive P10,000 cash prize.
After the finalists’ paper presentation on April 21, the winners of NTSYS are:
First Prize: Jayson G. Cosme, Ph.D.
(Physics), UPD
Second Prize: Michael T. Castro, M.S.
(Chemical Engineering), UPD
Third Prize: Ann Franchesca B. Laguna, Ph.D.
(Computer Science and Engineering), DLSU
Special Citations:
Neil Jerome A. Egarguin, Ph.D.
(Mathematics), UPLB
Ivan Henderson V. Gue, Ph.D.
(Mechanical Engineering), DLSU
John Paul Matthew D. Guzman, M.S.
(Microbiology), DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute
Charlon A. Ligson, M.S.
(Marine Science), UPD
NAST Environmental
Science Award
The NAST Environmental Science Award (NESA) recognizes outstanding S&T research work that contributes to environmental protection and conservation. The winner of the award will receive a plaque of recognition, P150,000 cash incentive, and P2 million research grant.
This year’s NESA winner is:
Dranreb Earl O. Juanico, Ph.D.
(Physics), Technological Institute of the Philippines, “Does mangrove restoration imply coastal protection? A prospective simulation study”
