METRO MANILA- The first batch of scholars of the MD-PhD in Molecular Medicine Program passed the recent physician board exam held 10 September 2016. 

Results from Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) last 21 September 2016 showed that Maria Llaine Callanta, Maragaille Capiroso, Fresthel Monica Climacosa, Ruby Anne King, John Carlo Malabad, Jonnel Poblete, Bobbie Marie Santos, Charles Patrick Uy, and Pia Regina Fatima Zamora, all MD-PhD scholars, passed the board exam.

The MD-PhD Molecular Medicine Program is a joint initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), through PCHRD, and UP Manila, through the College of Medicine, to train aspiring physician-scientists for careers dedicated to the advancement of health through biomedical research.

Being the first and pioneering degree program in the country which offers dual MD-PhD course, the MD-PhD Molecular Medicine Program prepares scholars to assume key leadership roles within the academic community and mentor physician-scientists in training.

Recently, PCHRD and UP Manila renewed their partnership through the signing of another MOA for the MD-PhD Molecular Medicine Program. The 7^th batch of the program also inked agreement with the Council. 

ALABANG, Muntinlupa City- Dr. Jaime Montoya, Executive Director of the Department of Science and Technology Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), is the newly elected president of the Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology (PhilAAST).

Dr. Jaime C. Montoya is the new PhilAAST President. 

Other elected PhilAAST officials are as follows:

• Dr.  Reynaldo Ebora- Division A (Agricultural Sciences) Vice President
• Dr. Ester Ogena- Division B (Economics & Social Sciences) Vice President
• Dr. Eva de la Paz- Division C (Medical & Biological Sciences) Vice President
• Dr. Corazon Menguito- Division D (Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics) Vice President
• Dr. Benjamin Austria- Division E (Geology and Earth Sciences) Vice President
• Dr. Alvin Culaba- Division F (Engineering & Industrial Sciences) Vice President
• Dr. Reynaldo de la Cruz- Division G (Environmental Sciences) Vice President
  
• Engr. Alex Sy- Division H (Information Technology) Vice President

New directors are Atty. Froilan Bagabaldo of the Philippine Pharmacists Association, Inc., Dr. Christina Binag of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), Dr. Diane Ignacio of the DOST Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI), Dr. Sonia de Leon of the Foundation for the Advancement of Food Science and Technology (FAFST), Engr. Edgar Garcia of the DOST Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI), and Ms. Luningning Samarita-Domingo of the DOST National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST).

The election was conducted during the 65^th PhilAAST annual convention last 22 to 23 September 2016 at Sequoia Ballroom, Acacia Hotel Manila. ■

ALABANG, Muntinlupa City- Dr. Antonio Laurena, an alumnus of the University of the Philippines Los Baños College of Agriculture, consistently pursued researchers for the improvement of economically important crops in the country. In a recent convention supported by the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, he was the recipient of the Leads Agri Award.

(Photo Credit:https://i.ytimg.com/vi/gIBin2FvgS0/maxresdefault.jpg) 

Leads Agri is a Filipino-owned corporation that has steadily produced excellent products and customer-centered programs aimed at improving the lives of Filipino communities. The award acknowledged Laurena’s expertise on the fields of agricultural plant science, analytical chemistry, and chemical biology.

Laurena is one of the pioneer researchers on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the country. He is instrumental in the development of the delayed ripening papaya, one of the ‘Pinoy GMOs’ being developed by the Institute of Plant Breeding at UPLB.

Together with his colleagues, Laurena developed and instituted the undergraduate curricular program on agricultural biotechnology, the first in the country.

His achievements were also recognized by various award giving institutions including the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) Outstanding Achievement Award for Research, UPLB Outstanding Research Team Award, and 1995 National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) Outstanding Young Scientist Award. ■

ALABANG, Muntinlupa City- Dr. Enrico Paringit, Professor of the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Engineering, was one of the five outstanding researchers recognized during the annual convention of the Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology (PhilASST).

(Photo Credit: Henri De Leon of DOST-STII)

Paringit contributed almost two decades of his research and development (R&D) works to utilization of various spatial technologies such as resource management, environmental monitoring, and hazard assessment, which led to the creation of models for hazard and disaster risk reduction and mitigation.

He graduated with a degree of BS Geodetic Engineering in 1997, MS Remote Sensing in 1999, and Doctor of Engineering in 2003 and dedicated his professional career in serving his academe, the University of the Philippines. 

“Dr. Paringit’s academic leadership is exemplified when he held the positions of Chairman and Director of the UP Department of Geodetic Engineering and Training Center for Applied Geodesy and Photogrammetry (TCAGP),” PhilASST cited.

Paringit was also entrusted with government-based projects by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Climate Change Commission such as the sensor calibration and validation component of DIWATA, the Philippines' first microsatellite, and hazard mapping of the Philippines using LiDAR, a surveying method using laser light.

His award, the David M. Consunji Award for Engineering Research, was recently established by PhilASST and DMCI Holdings, Incorporated to give recognition to outstanding researchers in the field of engineering. ■