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Ten top scholars of the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) over the last 50 years were awarded last September 10, 2008 at the historic landmark Manila Hotel as part of DoST’s year-long celebration of its golden anniversary.

The award, dubbed “50 Men and Women of Science,” seeks to recognize DoST achievers in various S & T fields who have made significant contributions here and even abroad.

These included 10 top DoST college and postgraduate scholars over the last half century.

The awarding ceremonies were led by Science and Technology Secretary Estrella Alabastro and DoST Undersecretary for S & T Services Fortunato dela Peña, chairman of the DoST golden jubilee steering committee.

The 10 top DoST scholars who were awarded last September 10, 2008  are the following:

1. Dr. Jose Bacusmo, president of the Visayas State University and the only university president who was included in the list of the 50 Men and Women of Science.

Bacusmo is responsible for the approval of new science and technology (S & T) projects at VSU amounting to P47.6 million.
2. Dr. Carmen Centeno, an associate professor at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Faculty of Engineering who carved a niche in the area of hazardous wastes management.

3. Dr. Elmer Dadios, a scholar of the Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and Development (PCASTRD – DoST) from 1990 to 1992 whose researches range from Robotics, Mechatronics, Automation, Artificial Intelligence, Neural Networks, Fuzzy Logic, Genetic Algorithms, Evolutionary Computation and information technology (IT).

4. Dr. Jonathan Dungca, an associate professor at the De La Salle University (DLSU) – Manila, and who specializes in geotechnical engineering, structural engineering and earthquake engineering.

5. Dr. Filipinas Natividad, who is responsible for the establishment of the first Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory in the Philippine and introduced to the country the pioneering application of stem cell transplant for ocular surface disorders, particularly at St. Luke’s Medical Center.

Natividad also implemented the first curriculum for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology in UP Diliman, and developed the first Master of Science (MS) in Molecular Medicine program in the country which will be offered this coming October at the St. Luke’s College of Medicine.

6. Dr. Jurgenne Primavera, scientist emerita at the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center in Tigbauan, Iloilo. Primavera is recognized for her exemplary work in aquaculture, fisheries and mangrove ecology, warning of the negative environmental and socioeconomic impacts of unplanned aquaculture, including shrimp farming. She was conferred a PhD in Science honoris causa by Stockholm University in 2004.

7. Dr. Henry Ramos, who established the Plasma Physics Laboratory at the National Institute of Physics (NIP) in UP - Diliman. Dr. Ramos developed a state-of-the- art process technology using plasma enhanced chemical vapor device for comparatively inexpensive hard coating of cutting tools, which is now patented in Taiwan and the US.

8. Dr. Delfin Jay Sabido IX, a former Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI- DoST) director who initiated programs on open source software, RF integrated circuits, wireless technologies, network management and communication protocol development.

He also actively pursued the establishment of the Philippine Research, Education and Government Information Network (PREGINET) and the creation of Bayanihan Linux.

9. Dr. Edward Wang, current associate dean for Faculty and Students in UP - Manila College of Medicine who has done outstanding work in musculoskeletal tumor research.

10. Dr. Fortunato Sevilla III, UST professor and assistant to the Rector for Research and Development.

Sevilla specializes in instrumentation and analytical science, paving the way for the development of lowcost chemical instruments like the colorimeter, polarimeter, pH meter, conductimeter, hemoglobinometer, blood photometer, and the iodine meter.

Aside from DoST scholars, the agency also conferred  awards on the “Men and Women of Science” in the field of S & T administration, technology adoption, science education, and science communication.

The DoST had earlier given the award to the 10 Men and Women of Science in research and development, also at the Manila Hotel.