HOT STUFF: CHEMISTRY FACULTY AND STUDENTS REAP AWARDS
BPI Foundation
Inc. & the Department of Science and Technology
BPI-DOST SCIENCE
AWARDS 2005
Frances C. Vega
BS/MS Chemistry
For Frances, the sciences contain a wealth of information that is easily taken for granted. This was already evident to her even when she was still a child.
"The sciences are fascinating. Maybe it is a sense of wonder and amazement in realizing how mundane things such as a dry leaf floating on air or the magical transformation of colors in a simple Chemistry experiment could actually be so complex and profound," Frances says. She credits the Ateneo for turning her love for the sciences into a discipline.
It is not surprising therefore that she intends to delve deeper into Chemistry as soon as she graduates. Obtaining masteral and doctoral degrees, and being able to teach Chemistry are in her plans. She remarks, "There is no greater indication of one's fascination of something other than the desire to impart this knowledge to others."
She divulges another entry in her agenda: after finishing her doctorate in Biochemistry abroad, she plans to put up her own company. She explains, "This company will cater and focus on medical research and the development of new and more effective drugs, especially those that can be made using indigenous plants and herbs to cure tropical diseases in the country."
She recognizes the need for more scientists in the country, as they are instrumental in national development. Filipino scientists, she says, are well equipped. There is something more that this country needs.
"What are direly needed are scientists who are also business leaders, innovators in the Philippines' major industries. What are also needed are like-minded Filipino scientists who are willing to pool their resources and expertise in developing industries that effectively address poverty, among others."
Frances has accomplished the research paper called Mucins In Relation To Cancer. Many of her family members died of various types of cancer - the main reason why she chose this topic to work on. She states, "I want to be part of this group of people around the world who are developing a cure that targets cancer cells through the Biochemistry perspective."
She insists that cancer is among the most pervasive diseases in the country today. "The development of antibody cures that are affordable to the average Filipino would be greatly helpful in alleviating human suffering in the world," she says.
Frances has reason to feel
good about herself these days: she is now a BPI Science awardee. This Marie
Curie fan says, "Winning this award will be my signpost in contributing
my expertise towards national development through the creation of indigenous
products and industries."
National
Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) Philippines
On Being and
Becoming: Where We Are and Where We Want To Be
26th Annual Scientific Meeting
14-15 July 2004
The Manila Hotel
Erwin P.
Enriquez, Ph.D.
(Physical Chemistry)
Department of Chemistry, Ateneo de Manila University
In recognition
of his outstanding achievements in the area of Materials Chemistry - especially
involving nanostructured systems using polymers and their composites. He
has pioneered in the use of indigenous biopolymeric systems, such as carrageenan,
as an aid in the patterned deposition of photo- or electroactive nanoparticles.
Moreover, he has contributed to the development of soft lithographic techniques
for micro- and nano- patterning for use in future molecular electronic devices,
and use of "templating" or "molecular imprinting" as
a general methodology for synthesis and fabrication of functional polymeric
systems. Dr. Enriquez has served as consultant for government and industry
pertaining to areas involving polymers and surface characterization.
2005 SOSE
Awards for Outstanding Student Research
05 March 2005
Escaler Hall, Science Education Complex
2nd Place - Outstanding
Undergraduate - Technology Research
Recycling of Polyethylene Terephtalate (PET) Bottles to Produce Alkyd
Resins for Paints
Author: Faye Espe
Adviser: Jerry T. Dy
1st Place - Outstanding
Graduate Research
A Synthetic Method for the Local Production of Mitoxantrone: An Anti-Cancer
Drugs
Author: Maria Lorna Arao-de
Leoz
Adviser: Modesto T. Chua, PhD
More details can be found here.
