Within this year of 2024, many talented members and alumni hailing from The UPLB Genetics Society have accumulated numerous prestigious awards, titles, and accomplishments. These Genes include Dr. Carmencita D. Padilla (Honorary Member), Mr. Sean Timothy B. Gacutan (Helitron), Ms. Fides Marciana Z. Tambalo (Operons), Mr. Juan Rodrigo A. Vera Cruz (Riboprobes), Asst. Prof. Jae Joseph Russell B. Rodriguez (Ribozymes), Mr. Paul Benjamin R. Hilario (Exons), Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio (Recombinants), Asst. Prof. Krissah Marga Taganas (Amplicons), Dr. John David L. Comandante (Heteroplasmy), Asst. Prof. John Vincent R. Pleto (Replisome), our resident graduate student Ms. Camille Faith D. Duran (Polyplex), as well as fresh graduates Mr. Justin Gabriel J. Badlis (Crypton) and Mr. Hanz Benedict B. Aguilar (Ikirara). All of them became bastions of hope for the advancement of science and technology, especially genetics, and art in the Philippines by being perfect role models of honor and excellence.
Mr. Gacutan, a medical student at San Beda University - College of Medicine, was named one of the ten Mga Natatanging Mag-aaral ng Medisina ng Pilipinas in the National Capital Region - Southern Luzon (NCR-SL) by the Association of the Philippine Medical Colleges - Student Network. He was awarded during the 18th NCR-SL Regional Assembly on March 23. This shows his pure dedication to the study of medicine and his potential in the field, and by doing so, he inspires us to excel in our fields as well.
Ms. Tambalo, the Director of the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH) and known for her contribution to the development of BIOTECH Monascus Red Colorant, was conferred as a Career Scientist I under the Scientific Productivity System last May 17, 2024.
Mr. Vera Cruz co-authored a publication entitled “Liquid-nitrogen-free CTAB DNA extraction method from silica-dried specimens for next-generation sequencing and assembly.” This was a three year-long project that successfully created a cost-effective method for DNA extraction, eliminating the use of liquid nitrogen while still yielding a good amount and quality of DNA. Their paper was published in MethodsX journal on May 30, 2024.
Before graduating in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in Biology major in Systematics, Mr. Badlis was given the opportunity to be an oral presenter at the Association of Systematic Biologists of the Philippines’ International Symposium and 41st Annual Meeting conducted on May 29 to 31, 2024, at Northwestern University, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. He brought forward his undergraduate thesis, “Ants of the genus Tetramorium Mayr, 1855 (Formicidae) from selected caves and environs in Tayabas City, Quezon, Luzon, Philippines,” and triumphed as the 3rd Place best presenter in the Young Systematic Biologists’ Forum (YSBF) Undergraduate Category.
Asst. Prof. Rodriguez was conferred the 2024 Outstanding Young Scientist Award for Molecular Anthropology last June 27, 2024 by The National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), Philippines. He is a dedicated researcher in molecular biology and genetics and has successfully passed on a multitude of publications in recent years.
Mr. Hilario successfully opened his own solo art exhibition entitled “Ille Imperium” that opened from July 6 to 31 this year at the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Gallery. It is composed of 14 paintings and two installations that describe his satirical takes on a nation’s slow descent into ruin.
Dr. Gregorio, who is also the current SEARCA Center Director, was honored with the 2024 Outstanding Professional of the Year Award in the field of Agriculture. The title was awarded to him last August 2, 2024 by The Philippine Professional Regulation Commission as part of their 2024 awards.
Dr. Padilla, a year after her official conferment as a National Scientist, was finally proclaimed as such in the recent Proclamation No. 642, s. 2024, signed on August 2, 2024. This title is the highest national recognition given to a scientist in the Philippines upon recommendation by the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST). This proclamation is a testament to her passion and commitment to the advancement of the field of genetics, with prestigious titles such as being the founder of many health institutions and the initiator of several health bills that saved and continue to protect the lives of many children.
Asst. Prof. Taganas led a roundtable discussion at the XXV World Congress of Philosophy 2024 at Sapienza Università di Roma in Rome, Italy that ran from August 1 to 8, 2024. In addition to that, she presented her research entitled “Empowering Mothers: Feminist Theorizing on Motherhood,” becoming a strong advocate for women, especially mothers’ rights and their crucial role in Philippine society.
Recently, alumni Mr. Aguilar and Dr. Comandante both participated and presented their research during the 10th World Congress on Herpetology in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. The event ran from August 5 to 9, 2024. Mr. Aguilar’s research was entitled “Morpho-Geometric and Behavioral Sexual Characterization of the ex situ-managed Philippine Forest Turtle (Siebenrockiella leytensis) in Avilon Zoo, Rodriguez, Rizal,” while Dr. John David L. Comandante’s research was entitled “Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor use in neurotoxic snake envenomation: Philippine experience.” Both alumni showed their mastery over their fields in the event, and by doing so, they inspired others to practice honor and excellence in the academe.
Last but not least, two of our honored alumni attended and received awards at the 15th International Academic Consortium for Sustainable Cities (IACSC) Conference 2024 that happened last August 19 to 23, 2024 at the Seda Hotel in Manila Bay. Asst. Prof. Pleto presented his research, co-authored with Mayzonewe D. Ligaray and Francis S. Magbanua from UP Diliman, entitled “Multi-metric Index Development for a Comprehensive Lake Ecosystem Health Assessment: The Case of Seven Lakes of San Pablo.” Their research won the Best Oral Presentation in the Environment Category. Ms. Duran was a poster presenter for her and Assoc. Prof. Dianne Joy D. Aguilon’s research entitled “Insect-Associated Damages on Trees of UPLB-EDC BINHI Biodiversity Park.” Duran won the Best Poster Presentation in the Environment Category.
Their dedication towards their craft and the advancement of their own multidisciplinary fields has paid off, as each of their discoveries is recognized by numerous local and global organizations advocating for the future of the arts and science. The success of our alumni is a testament to believing that Genes truly are well-rounded individuals and that regardless of whatever path we take in life, only the sky's the limit.
Posts
0 Comments