Five ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ scientists/researchers were recognized by the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) Philippines for their outstanding contributions to the advancement of science and technology in the country.
Michael Y. Roleda, Dr.rer.nat of the UPD Marine Science Institute (MSI) was conferred the title Academician for his work in phycology.
Roleda is a research professor at the MSI and the principal investigator of the Institute’s Algal Ecophysiology Laboratory. According to an MSI Facebook post, Roleda has more than three decades of contributions to Philippine and international studies in phycology. His research was aimed at deepening the knowledge of the biology, environmental adaptation, and industrial applications of microalgae and macroalgae. One of his notable accomplishments is the establishment of the Seaweed Culture Laboratory and Gene Bank, which houses more than 200 unique seaweed strains being developed for genetic traits that can help strengthen the productivity and resilience of the seaweed industry.
The title Academician is awarded through peer recognition and requires the approval of more than 50 percent of the membership of NAST-Philippines, the Academy’s policy-making body.
Meanwhile, Rafaela Jane P. Delfino, PhD and Mayzonee V. Ligaray, PhD of the UPD Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (IESM); Wilfred John E. Santiañez, PhD of the MSI; and Karl Ezra S. Pilario, PhD of the UPD Department of Chemical Engineering (DChE) were recognized as Outstanding Young Scientists (OYS) in the fields of meteorology, environmental science and engineering, natural history sciences, and energy and power, respectively.
Delfino is an assistant professor at the IESM, heads the IESM Climate and High Impact Laboratory, and the UPD College of Science’s innovation coordinator. She has published numerous research works on climate science, tropical cyclones, extreme/high impact weather, numerical weather prediction, climate modeling, and climate change adaptation. Delfino presented her research findings in both local and international conferences, which has greatly helped improve the understanding of weather and climate-related risks in the Philippines.
Ligaray is a professor at the IESM and the head of its Environmental Hydrology Laboratory. Her research interests are in water quality monitoring, fate and transport modeling of pollutants and bacteria, artificial intelligence and hyperspectral imagery applications on water quality sensing, artificial intelligence-based hydrological/water quality modeling, and watershed management and modeling, which contributes to a deeper understanding of environmental systems and challenges in the Philippines.
Santiañez is an associate professor at the MSI and the head of the Marine Phycology Laboratory. His research works integrate seaweed biodiversity and systematics with conservation, sustainable development, and the growing blue economy.
According to the MSI, Santiañez is considered one of the most prolific Filipino seaweed taxonomists of his generation, significantly advancing molecular biodiversity and systematics research on seaweeds. To date, he has described one new seaweed tribe, eight new genera, four new species, and has reclassified 31 seaweed taxa from the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans.
Pilario is an associate professor at the DChE and leads the Process Systems Engineering Laboratory (PSEL). According to the PSEL website, Pilario and his team conduct computational engineering solutions for system design and modeling, optimization, control, and monitoring in the process, energy, water, and environmental sectors. Their collaborative research creates innovative solutions for diverse applications while supporting and contributing to the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The OYS award recognizes young Filipino scientists for outstanding contributions to science and technology, as well as exceptional research achievements demonstrated through publications in reputable scientific journals.
The awarding ceremonies will be held in July 9 during the NAST Philippines 48th Annual Scientific Meeting.
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