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PSM successfully hosts its 35th Annual Convention and the 5th Asia-Pacific Biotechnology Congress
The 5th Asia-Pacific Biotechnology Congress and the 35th Annual Convention of the Philippine Society for Microbiology, Inc (PSM), was successfully held in Bohol Tropics, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, last May 10 – 13, 2006, with the theme “Microbiology and Biotechnology: Roadmaps and Milestones for Enhancing Sustainable Productivity in the Asia-Pacific Region.” The event was attended by over 300 participants, which included active members, new members and invited speakers from the Asia-Pacific Region. The opening ceremony was formally opened by PSM President Dr. Maribel L. Dionisio-Sese and was graced by Dr. Estrella F. Alabastro, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and Dr. Fusao Tomita, Ambassador to Asia of the International Union of Microbiological Societies (IUMS).
Some of the highlights of the convention were the awarding of Dr.
Nina Gloriani Barzaga as PSM Outstanding Microbiologist, Dr. Delia De
Castro-Ontengco as PSM Service Awardee Individual Category, and the
Biology Department of De La Salle University as PSM Service Awardee
Institutional Category. The winners of the best oral and poster paper
competitions were Diana Rose E. Rañoa and Dr. Eufrocinio C. Marfori,
respectively.
To see a gallery of pictures taken from the event click here (requires Macromedia Flash Player)
NAST Recognizes PSM Scientist
The National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), on its 28th Annual Scientific Meeting which centered on the theme, “The Century of Biology,” recently recognized the scientific achievements and contributions of some members of the Philippine Society for Microbiology, Inc. (PSM) in the field of microbiology.
Dr. Wilfredo L. Barraquio, former PSM president, fellow
of the Philippine Academy of Microbiology (PAM) and professor at the
Institute of Biology (IB), College of Science, University of the
Philippines-Diliman, was posthumously awarded the NAST-Hugh Greenwood
Environmental Science award for his outstanding work in environmental
microbiology. Dr. Barraquio had worked on nitrogen-fixation,
reclamation and rehabilitation of stressed environments and
biodegrading capabilities of indigenous microorganisms geared toward
pollution control.
Current PSM corresponding secretary, Dr. Windell L. Rivera, of IB-UPD, was conferred as one of the outstanding young scientists for 2006. Dr. Rivera was cited for his research endeavors in molecular microbiology and immunology particularly in medically-important protozoan parasites.
Dr. Elizabeth L. Tenorio, PSM member, a recent speaker in the PSM Cluster I symposium in 2005, was one of the awardees of the 2006 NAST-Du Pont Talent Search for Young Scientists. Dr. Tenorio was recognized for her research on systematic characterization of E. coli genes affecting biofilm formation. Outstanding scientific publications in the field of biology were also recognized. Cited for their scientific paper, “Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Filipino Patients” were Dr. Delia DC. Ontengco, former PSM president and current member of the PAM board of regents, and PSM member Ms. Leilani A. Baltazar. Their co-authors are Ms. Roberta A. Santiago, Dr. Ronald R. Matias, Ms. Cecilia A. Isaac, and Mr. Alexander O. Tuazon. Moreover, the 2006 NAST-Leledfi Award for Outstanding Research in Tropical Medicine was given to Dr. Gisela P. Concepcion of the Marine Science Institute (MSI), UPD and co-authors, among them are PSM members, Ms. Sheila Marie V. Pimentel Elardo, Mr. Jose Enrico H. Lazaro, and Ms. Alice A. Sertan-de Guzman. Their paper is entitled “Biomedical and Pharmacological Agents from Marine Invertebrates and Associated Microorganisms”.
Congratulations to all awardees!