BUFFALO, N.Y. — A Philippine-born scientist at New York’s University at Buffalo has been named a fellow of the American Chemical Society (ACS), one of the world’s largest scientific societies and publisher of some of the most prominent journals in chemistry.
Diana Aga, PhD, director of the University at Buffalo RENEW Institute and Henry M. Woodburn Professor of Chemistry in the UB College of Arts and Sciences, is among 45 scientists named as 2022 ACS fellows who are being honored for outstanding achievements and contributions to science, the profession and society.
A two-time Fulbright award winner and a recipient of Germany’s Humboldt Research Fellowship, Aga is globally recognized for her work in environmental and analytical chemistry.
Aga is being recognized “for encouraging women and underrepresented minority students to pursue careers in environmental and agricultural Chemistry, and for innovative contributions in agrochemical analysis to better understand their ecological and health impacts.”
She is also being cited for her contributions to the ACS’ AGRO division, where she has organized student research, learning and networking activities. AGRO brings together scientists and other partners worldwide to promote innovative solutions for the protection of agricultural productivity, public health and the environment.
Aga’s career was inspired by changes she witnessed in her childhood village in the Philippines. She remembers swimming, playing and fishing frequently in a river near her home, but as the years went on, the river gradually became darkened with pollution.
Aga joined the UB faculty in 2002 after earning a PhD in analytical and environmental chemistry from the University of Kansas and a bachelor’s degree in agricultural chemistry from the University of the Philippines Los Baños.
She has led the UB RENEW Institute since 2021. This university-wide multidisciplinary research institute focuses on complex energy, environmental issues and related t social and economic issues.
A prolific scholar with over 180 refereed papers, Aga also continues to lead a lab in UB’s chemistry department that analyzes pollutants in the environment; develops ways to break them down and clean them up; and investigates the chemicals’ impact on humans and wildlife.
Her team’s discoveries have had a far-reaching impact on understanding emerging contaminants such as antimicrobials and other pharmaceuticals; endocrine-disrupting chemicals; and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
Aga is now helping to train the next generation of researchers. She has mentored dozens of undergraduate and graduate students who have gone on to careers in industry, government and academia.
She hopes to expand this work through programming and partnerships at the RENEW Institute that support pathways to STEM for K-12 and university students from underrepresented groups.
Source: https://usa.inquirer.net/108161/ph-born-scientist-named-fellow-of-the-american-chemical-society
Alumni Milestones
UP dominates Environmental Planner Licensure Exam
By Kaithreen Cruz
THE Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced that 108 examinees passed the July 2022 Environmental Planner Licensure Examination out of the 178 who took the test.
PRC noted that “results of examination with respect to two examinees were withheld as per Board Resolution No. 5.”
All those in the top 10 were from the University of the Philippines — from constituent universities of Diliman and Los Baños.
The roster of new environmental planners was led by Aleya Carmela Arca from UP Diliman, scoring 84.40 percent in the licensure examination.
Similarly, UP Diliman was the sole top-performing school in the examination with 40 or more examinees with at least an 80 percent passing rate after 36 of its 43 examinees passed (83.72 percent passing rate).
Source: https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/08/11/latest-stories/up-dominates-environmental-planner-licensure-exam/1854224
UP Manila’s appointed UP Scientists for 2021-2023
Congratulations to UP Manila’s appointed UP Scientists for 2021-2023!
Padayon at mabuhay, mga Siyentipiko ng Bayan!
Source: UP MANILA (Official) Twitter
UPV BioDiv faculty bags first place in the national oral competition on obesity gene
Mr. Franco Miguel Nodado and Mr. Sean Rafio
Dr. Adrienne Marrie S. Bugayong-Janagap from the Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, won 1st Place in the 15th PNHRS Week Oral Research Presentation-Professional Category on 08 August 2022, held at Clark Marriott Hotel, Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.
She bested five other national finalists in the same category during the 15th PNHRS Week, which will run until August 12, Friday.
Dr. Bugayong-Janagap presented her study, “Tubby and Hmgb2 interaction and potential role in adipogenesis,” in the recently concluded Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Week Oral Research Presentation-Professional Category. She was chosen as the Region 6 representative by the Western Visayas Health Research and Development Consortium.
“Obesity is a global epidemic, and the Philippines has seen an increase in cases. Therefore, it is important to study obesity-associated genes, like tubby, which may give us a broader perspective on the mechanisms underlying the disease, and provides insight on potential therapeutic strategies and public health intervention,” said Dr. Bugayong-Janagap when asked about the significance of her study on obesity.
Meanwhile, Lyelle Rowie Z. Galupar, a BS Public Health student, qualified for the national poster competition after winning at the regional level. Galupar is among the eight finalists in his category.
The Western Visayas delegation was headed by CAS Dean Dr. Alice Joan G. Ferrer, who is also the Western Visayas Health Research and Development Consortium (WVHRDC) director.
DOST-PCHRD holds the annual PNHRS Week Celebration to promote health research among Filipinos.
Source: https://www.upv.edu.ph/index.php/news/upv-biodiv-faculty-bags-first-place-in-the-national-oral-competition-on-obesity-gene
UP Los Baños forestry college congratulates first-ever summa cum laude in its history
After more than a century, the College of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of the Philippines-Los Baños has a summa cum laude.
Vicmar Firmalan Jugado is the UPLB CFNR’s pride after finishing his undergraduate studies with a cumulative weighted average grade of 1.15.
In the UP grading system, 1.0 is the highest grade a student can get, which is also known as “uno.”
5.0 is the lowest.
The college on July 28 offered a congratulatory post to its graduate who they say is its “first-ever summa cum laude.”
CFNR said it hasn’t had a summa cum laude for 112 years, or since its establishment in American-era Philippines in 1910.
Summa Cum Laude is the highest academic distinction a graduating student can get. Next is magna cum laude (“with high praise”), followed by cum laude (“with praise”).
CFNR is considered the country’s oldest and finest academic institution of higher learning in forestry.
The college is among those recognized by the Commission on Higher Education as a Center of Excellence in Forestry Education.
Meanwhile, CNFR described its first-ever summa cum laude as a “consistent student achiever since elementary.”
“Deeply inspired to help his family, Vicmar Firmalan Jugado hurdled through the rigors of academic demands and challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic,” its tribute post said.
Jugado acknowledged CFNR’s tribute by sharing its post on his account with the comment: “Thank you CFNR.” It was accompanied by a green heart emoji.
He reportedly received P100,000 from the university in recognition of his feat.
The college also recognized other forestry graduates who finished their studies with flying colors.
Source: https://interaksyon.philstar.com/trends-spotlights/2022/08/05/224228/up-los-banos-forestry-college-congratulates-first-ever-summa-cum-laude/
Florendo, new CIDE president
Benito V. Sanvictores Jr. – Diliman Information Office
Raquel B. Florendo, PhD, an interior design professor at the UP Diliman (UPD) College of Home Economics (CHE) has been elected as the new president of the Council of Interior Design Educators (CIDE) in July 2022.
A registered professional interior designer since 1994, Florendo is currently a member of the Commission on Higher Education-National Capital Region’s (CHED-NCR) quality assessment team in the area of architecture, fine arts and interior design, the Professional Regulation Commission’s (PRC) Board of Interior Design for Continuing Professional Education/Development, and the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID).
CIDE is the national academic organization in interior design recognized by PRC, PIID, and the CHED.
The main roles of CIDE are “to standardize the interior design curriculum among schools and institutions offering interior design programs, unite and implement guidelines for the preparation of board exam questions via the standard curriculum, and decide how to come up with the scope of subjects in its teaching procedures and other requirements.”
Florendo is a faculty member of the CHE Department of Clothing, Textiles and Interior Design since the 1990s, and is currently the UPD Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development, a post she has held since June 10 2019.
She sits as chairperson in both the UPD Infrastructure Bids and Awards Committee and the technical working group of the UP Planning and Development Committee (Land Use), and as member in both the Centennial Dormitory Oversight and Committee (Office of the UP President) and the Dormitory Oversight and Committee. She was also the director of the Business Concessions Office (BCO) from 2010 to June 9, 2019.
In 2016, Florendo and Adelaida Mayo, PhD, former CHE dean and a fellow at PIID, guided CHE ID students taking ID 179 special projects class to serve financially challenged institutions whose spaces were in dire need of rehabilitation. The students were under the close supervision of the professors, whose licenses took care of the projects’ legal requirements. One of the projects was Tinig: Design that Speaks, a renovation project of My Children’s House of Hope (Bantay Bata 127) in Payatas, Quezon City. According to the PIID website, CIDE was established in 1979 by the Specialty Board for Interior Design. It was initiated by IDr. Belen Sablan Morey and is composed of member schools University of Santo Tomas, College of the Holy Spirit, Philippine Women’s University, Assumption College, UP, Philippine School of Interior Design, La Consolacion College-Bacolod, University of St. Louis Tuguegarao, University of the East- Caloocan, and St. Scholastica’s College.
Source: https://upd.edu.ph/florendo-new-cide-president/
UP College of Pharmacy congratulates Dean Imelda G. Pena for being the 2022 PRC Outstanding Professional of the Year Awardee in the field of Pharmacy
The UP College of Pharmacy would like to congratulate our past Dean, Professor Imelda G. Pena, for being the 2022 PRC Outstanding Professional of the Year Awardee in the field of Pharmacy awarded by the Professional Regulation Commission and Foundation for Outstanding Professionals Inc. last July 29 at the Manila Hotel.
Your UPCP family is very proud of you, and we hope your #honoRXcellence would inspire more pharmacy students and practicing pharmacists to expand pharmacy practice in the Philippines!
Source: UP College of Pharmacy Facebook
UP Diliman achieves 100% passing rate in Landscape Architect Licensure Exam
By Kaithreen Cruz
THE Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced that 74 examinees passed the July 2022 Landscape Architect Licensure Examination, out of the 114 who took the test.
The University of the Philippines Diliman was the sole top-performing school in the licensure exam with 15 or more examinees with at least an 80 percent passing rate after all 37 examinees from the university passed.
The list of successful examinees may be viewed on the PRC website at prc.gov.ph.
The July 2022 Landscape Architect Licensure Exam was held in Manila and Cebu, and the results were released four working days after the last day of the test.
Members of the Board of Landscape Architecture who gave the licensure exam were Chairman Paulo Alcazaren and Member Cecilia Tence.
The new landscape architects may register online from August 30 to 31 for the issuance of their Professional Identification Card (ID) and Certificate of Registration.
They are also reminded to personally register and sign in the Roster of Registered Professionals.
PRC said that the date and venue for the oath taking ceremony of the new successful examinees will be announced at a later date.
Source: https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/07/28/latest-stories/up-diliman-achieves-100-passing-rate-in-landscape-architect-licensure-exam/1852588
UP Diliman grad tops interior designer licensure exam
By GMA News
A graduate of the University of the Philippines Diliman topped the interior designer licensure examination given by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) this month.
advertisement
Ira Louise Cayanan led the successful examinees with a rating of 88.25%.
Patrick Joshua Uy of the University of Santo Tomas placed second with 86.85%, followed by Ma. Patrisha Casalme of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines with 86.50%.
Racquel Christine Lim of UP is in fourth place (86.40%), followed by Lara Mindy Villaluz of the Philippine School of Interior Design (85.40%).
The PRC said 266 out of 405 examinees passed the test given by the Board of Interior Design in Manila and Cebu.
UP Diliman was named the lone top performing school, with 26 out of its 28 examinees (92.86%) passing the exam. —Mel Matthew Doctor/VBL/BM, GMA News
UP alumni named 2022 Outstanding Young Scientists
Written by Arlyn VCD Palisoc Romualdo
Seven of this year’s 11 Outstanding Young Scientists named by the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) are alumni of the University of the Philippines (UP). Four are on the faculty, and one is a researcher at the University. The awarding ceremony was held on July 14 during the Academy’s 44th Annual Scientific Meeting at the Manila Hotel.
UP had honorees in five of the six award categories.
For Agricultural Sciences, Dr. Darlon V. Lantican, a university researcher at the UP Los Baños (UPLB) Institute of Plant Breeding, was recognized for contributing to the advancement of “Philippine agriculture research on major crop species, and their interacting pest and pathogens, through the utilization of genomics and bioinformatics research tools.” His work provides the necessary information to “address crop production threats, ” strengthening the country’s food systems as it deals with ongoing and future effects of climate change. Dr. Lantican earned his BS in Agricultural Biotechnology in 2012 and an MS in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology in 2018 from UPLB.
In the same category, another UPLB alumnus, Dr. Roscinto Ian C. Lumbres of the Benguet State University College of Forestry, was cited for his pioneering research initiatives on the “growth modeling” of Pinus kesiya (Benguet pine), a unique forest ecosystem in the Philippines. Lumbres was also recognized for his works on biodiversity and carbon stock assessment of unique forest ecosystems to protect our biodiversity better and mitigate climate change through forest protection.” Dr. Lumbres graduated with a BS Forestry degree in 2006 and is a lecturer at the UP Baguio, Department of Biology. He earned his Ph.D. in Forest Resources Management from Kongju National University, South Korea, in 2003.
One of the two recipients in the Engineering Sciences and Technology category was Dr. Arnel B. Beltran of the De La Salle University Gokongwei College of Engineering, a BS Chemical Engineering graduate of UPLB (2005). Beltran was cited for his pioneering work on “membrane science and technology, material engineering and water, and wastewater research. His studies led to several research publications and innovation projects which respond to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 6) on the provision of water and sanitation for all.” Dr. Beltran received his Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology in 2012 from Myongji University, South Korea.
Dr. Ronnie E. Baticulon, a pediatric neurosurgeon at the UP Philippine General Hospital and an Anatomy professor at the UP Manila (UPM) College of Medicine (UPCM), was one of the two awardees in the Health Category. The NAST recognized his “outstanding contributions in global neurosurgery, pediatric neurosurgery, and medical education.” His research projects “aim to estimate the burden of neurosurgical diseases and identify barriers to neurosurgical care worldwide.” Together with his clinical practice, his body of work is guided by his “aspiration to be able to provide essential neurosurgical care to all Filipinos who need it, particularly the underserved.” Baticulon is also a Palanca award-winning author. His book, Some Days You Can’t Save Them All, was shortlisted for the National Book Awards. Dr. Baticulon was an Oblation Scholar admitted to UPCM’s seven-year Integrated Liberal Arts and Medicine (INTARMED) Program in 2001, earning his BS Basic Medical Sciences degree cum laude in 2005 and his MD cum laude in 2008.
The lone awardee in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences category was Dr. Allan Christopher C. Yago of the UP Diliman (UPD) Institute of Chemistry. He was cited for his work on “local research and development of chemical and biochemical sensors for the detection of contaminants in food and biomolecules for health applications” and for the establishment of the Sensor Materials Development and Electrochemical Analysis Laboratory in UPD, which “has trained students in the areas of sensors and electrochemical analysis.” Dr. Yago earned his degrees, BS Chemistry, cum laude, in 2005; MS Chemistry in 2010; and Ph.D. in Chemistry in 2014 from UPD.
This year’s honorees in the Social Sciences are also from UP. Dr. Michael Ralph M. Abrigo, a senior research fellow at the Philippine Institute of Development Studies (PIDS), was honored for contributing significantly to “the study of the welfare implications of population change, to the use of quasi-experimental techniques to evaluate government interventions, and to the development of statistical tools for the use of other researchers.” In addition, his “suite of general-use statistical application programs implementing homogenous panel vector autoregression has allowed wider use of the technique in many different settings, including in economics, political science, and psychology.” Dr. Abrigo graduated from UP Manila (UPM) [Ed: the first reference, spell it out. UP Mindanao?] in 2008 with a BA Development Studies degree, magna cum laude. In 2012, he earned his Master of Statistics degree from UP Diliman (UPD), and in 2016, he received his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Dr. Paul Gideon D. Lasco, MD, a UPD senior lecturer of Anthropology and UP College of Medicine (UPCM) affiliate faculty, was the other Outstanding Young Scientist for Social Sciences. He was honored for his work “in bridging the social sciences and medicine, in applying his research methods and perspectives to relevant medical and social issues in the Philippines, and for effectively communicating scientific knowledge—both from the broader research community and from his work—to the Filipino public.” In addition, he “has published critical analyses of the COVID-19 pandemic and introduced the concepts of ‘medical populism’ and ‘pharmaceutical messianism’ to global public health.” Dr. Lasco is also a research fellow at the Ateneo de Manila University Development Studies Program. He was admitted to the UP INTARMED Program in 2003, earning his BS in Basic Medical Sciences degree in 2007 and an MD in 2010. He also became the first graduate of UPCM’s MS Medical Anthropology degree program in 2014. He received his Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Amsterdam in 2017.
According to the NAST, the Outstanding Young Scientist must not have reached the age of 41 during the year of the award and must have made outstanding contributions to fields in Agricultural Sciences, Biological Sciences, Engineering Sciences and Technology, Health Sciences, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, and Social Sciences. The recipients received a trophy, a monetary prize of P150,000, and a P1 million research grant from the Department of Science and Technology for an approved proposal.
With reports from the UP Office of Alumni Relations.
Source: https://up.edu.ph/up-alumni-named-2022-outstanding-young-scientists/