11 Filipinos Among the Top 100 Asian Scientists for 2020

In the Asian Scientist Top 100 for 2020, eleven (11) Filipino scientists were among Asia’s most outstanding researchers. This was released by Asian Scientist Magazine, started in 2016, and annually compiles a list of top researchers in Asia.

The Asian Scientist 100 is now on its fifth edition and it celebrates the success of the region’s best and brightest, highlighting their achievements across a range of scientific disciplines.

11 Filipino Scientists

Here are the 11 Filipinos and their contributions included in Asia’s most outstanding researchers for this year.

Alicia Aguinaldo

• University of Santo Tomas Philippines
• Received the Philippine Federation of Chemistry Societies Shimadzu Achievement Award for Chemical Research for:
  • Studies into the anti-tuberculosis and anti-diabetic properties of Philippine plants.

Emma Sales

• University of Southern Mindanao Philippines
• Sales received the LEADS AgriAward for Agricultural Research 2019 for:
  • Establishing the first tissue culture and biotechnology laboratory in the Philippines’ Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN) and developing diagnostic tools for the identification of durian, rubber, and mango varieties.

Emil Javier

• Formerly the University of the Philippines System Philippines
• A pioneering plant geneticist and agronomist, and was conferred the rank of National Scientist of the Philippines in recognition of his contributions to the field of agriculture.
• Spearheaded the Institute of Plant Breeding in Los Baños, which popularized high-yielding crops and disease-resistant plant varieties in Asia. And, also served as the 17th president of the Philippines’ top-ranked university system, the University of the Philippines.

Cleotilde Hidalgo-How

• University of the Philippines Manila Philippines.
• Received the Dr. Paulo Campos Award for Health Research 2019 for:
  • Work in the understanding, management, and diagnosis of tuberculosis among children and adolescents.

Carlo Arcilla

• Philippine Nuclear Research Institute Philippines
• Received the Gregorio Y. Zara Award for:
  • Basic Research 2019 for his contributions to resolving sensitive issues on mineral resource development, water management, and developing peaceful applications for nuclear energy in the Philippines.

Raul Destura

• National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila Philippines
• Awarded the 2019 Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award for:
  • Creation of the award-winning Biotek-M dengue aquakit for faster, more affordable, and accessible dengue diagnosis.

Joselito Chavez

• National Kidney and Transplant Institute Philippines
• Awarded the 2019 Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award for:
  • Trailblazing work on the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in severe leptospirosis.

Alonzo Gabriel

• University of the Philippines Diliman Philippines
• Received the Eduardo A. Quisumbing Medal for:
  • Research into microbial stress adaptation on food safety and quality.

Robert Dizon

• Metals Industry Research and Development Center Philippines
• Received the Mario Cruel Award for Advanced Engineering Technology Application for:
  • Developing the torque mode configuration for multiple variable frequency drives used in the Automated Guideway Transit System, Hybrid Electric Road Train, and Hybrid Electric Train.

Raymond Tan

• De La Salle University Philippines
• Received the Gregorio Y. Zara Award for Advanced Research 2019 for:
  • Contributions to the development of novel computational techniques for the design of sustainable industrial systems.

Susan Gallardo

• De La Salle University Philippines
• Received the David M. Consunji Award for Engineering Research 2019 for:
  • Work in environmental engineering and catalysis
  • Industrial and hazardous waste treatment and management.

Furthermore, according to the Asia Scientist Magazine, the list of honourees must have received a national or international prize in the preceding year of their research. And the researcher may be included for making a significant scientific discovery or provided leadership in academia or industry.

Source: Asian Scientist