Two UP Diliman (UPD) College of Science (CS) professors and an academic unit from the UPD College of Engineering (COE) were this year’s recipients of the Department of Science and Technology-National Research Council of the Philippines (DOST-NRCP) awards.
Reynaldo L. Garcia, PhD of the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (NIMBB) and Cristine D. Villagonzalo, PhD of the National Institute of Physics (NIP) were honored with the 2023 NRCP Achievement Award, while the Department of Chemical Engineering (DChE) was recognized as 2023 NRCP Outstanding Institution (Cluster II).
According to the NRCP website, the NRCP Achievement Award “is given to its members whose works greatly contributed to the advancement of their respective fields of expertise and responded to the needs and challenges of various industries.” On the other hand, the NRCP Outstanding Institution Award “is given to institutions or agencies in recognition of their dedicated support and/or significant contribution to the growth and development of basic sciences and humanities in the country.”
According to an email of the CS Science Communication sent to UPDate Online, Garcia and Villagonzalo were recognized for their outstanding works in the fields of physics and medical sciences, respectively.
CS Science Communication stated that, “Garcia founded the NIMBB Disease Molecular Biology and Epigenetics Laboratory in 2011. He and his team played a crucial role in detecting and preventing the spread of COVID-19 during the pandemic. He is currently investigating how specific mutations in colon cancer cells affect their resistance to treatments, and how these mutated cells divide, migrate, and survive.”
Villagonzalo, on the other hand, “served as the president of NRCP governing board from 2022 until 2023. She is the deputy director for academic affairs at NIP and the project leader of the International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development-Philippines. She is currently working on a research project to integrate the quantum mechanics principle called the perturbation theory in a quantum circuit,” stated CS Science Communication.
Meanwhile, in a Facebook post, the COE stated “DChE was recognized for its remarkable commitments to scholarly pursuits, community engagements, and academic excellence.” The COE added that “through its exceptional research endeavors, extensive network of collaborations, and dedication to nurturing future leaders in the field, the department has truly distinguished itself as a trailblazer in the realm of chemical engineering and scientific innovation.”
Garcia, Villagonzalo, and the DChE received the awards at the NRCP’s Annual Scientific Conference and 91st General Membership Assembly at the Philippine International Convention Center on April 12.