The Department of Science and Technology ecently recognized outstanding young scientists for 2017″•including one who specializes in bats.
Phillip A. Alviola, a student of the University of the Philippines Los Baños, reveals he has been fascinated with bats since he was in high school.
“Studying bats, basically, it’s out of interest from high school and college. I was interested in their behavior, their interaction with humans, their possible contacts with the disease, novel diseases essentially. We are finding out if some diseases, which are familiar to scientists, may have come from bats,” Alviola said.
“My interest came from understanding how the mode of transfer of disease from bats to humans happens, and how to avoid it and in the future what are the plans and management to prevent that kind of contact,” he added.
DoST also recognized seven other young scientists: Aletta Concepcion T. Yniguez from the University of the Philippines Diliman; Lanndon A. Ocampo from the University of San Carlos; Mario Antonio L. Jiz II from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine; Nathaniel P. Hermosa II from the University of the Philippines Diliman; Jeffrey S. Perez from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology; Jayeel S. Cornelio from Ateneo de Manila University; and Krista Danielle S. Yu from De La Salle University.
DoST also recognized other remarkable individuals in the field of research and development, technology commercialization, and science administration.
Recognized in the Outstanding Research and Development Award are Dr. Nathaniel P. Hermosa II in Basic Research category, and Dr. Lucille V. Abad and Dr. Maria Patricia V. Azanza in the Applied Research category. Abad and Azanza are from the DoST-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute and DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute, respectively.
Dr. Jude L. Sasing, Ilustre I. Guloy Jr. and Dr. Ramon B. Gustilo received the Outstanding Technology Commercialization Award. Meanwhile, Raymond Girard R. Tan of De La Salle University received the Outstanding Science Administrator Award.
DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña and Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, representing President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, handed out the plaques, certificates, and cash prizes to the awardees.
The DOST awards were conferred during the celebration of the National Science and Technology Week at the World Trade Center, Pasay City from July 11 to 15. It featured forums, technology demonstrations, exhibits, and other activities that cater to all ages.