Dr. Glorina N. Pocsidio – Educator and Researcher

Dr. Glorina N. Pocsidio

Dr. Glorina N Pocsidio is a dedicated educator and researcher who were given the Outstanding Young Scientist (OYS) award by the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) in 1986.  She was recognized because of her pioneering studies on Holothurin, a substance extracted from Philippine Holothurians or sea cucumbers.  She discovered that Holothurin has hemolytic, antitumor and anticancer properties so that sea cucumbers became part of the material medica in the Philippines. She also found out that sea cucumbers can be used as a cheap source of food for animals and man.

She was born on December 15, 1946.  She grew up in different parts of the country and attended several elementary schools because her father was a teacher who had to travel often as a school superintendent.  Her high school days were spent at the La Union High School where she finished as class valedictorian.  In college, she took up B.S. Zoology at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman where she graduated magna cum laude.  She pursued further studies also at UP until she earned her doctorate in Zoology in 1982.  She was also privileged to have been given research fellowships in Japan and Germany where she purified and studied Holothurin extensively.  She has authored and co-authored more than a hundred articles on topics such as sea cucumbers, other invertebrates, medicinal plants and dinoflagellates.  At present, she is Professor of Zoology at the University of the Philippines Diliman where she teaches Animal Physiology.

She is inspired by the great diversity of flora and fauna in our country and has dedicated her life to discovering them.  She hopes that the future generation of Filipino scientists will continue her endeavor to study our local flora and fauna.  Apart from her valuable contributions to medical and biological research, she still considers teaching as her greatest contribution to science. – Rosario R. Ricalde

References

► http://www.ics.uplb.edu.ph/nast

Personal communication with Dr. Glorina N. Pocsidio, January 5, 2001, Institute of Biology UP Diliman

Ruben L. Villareal

Ruben L. Villareal

Farmers are responsible for planting and harvesting crops while technicians and researchers provide the appropriate knowledge or technology that modernizes farming methods and eventually increases productivity.  There have been breakthroughs in agricultural research, especially in rice.  In fact, foreign universities have acknowledged the significant contributions of Philippine-based research Institutions in this field.

Dr. Ruben L. Villareal is part of the growing number of agriculture-based researchers.  He finished bachelor and masteral degrees at the University of the Philippines, Los Banos.  He obtained his doctoral degree at Rutgers, the state university of New Jersey.

Dr. Villareal’s efforts greatly contribute to the development of farming methods.  His attention is focused, among others, on the development of crops with better quality and on vegetable and food processings.  These complement the efforts of research institutions and may be considered a timely response to the needs of the food processing industry.

A team player, Dr.  Villareal organizes projects which help the education sector.  He works with educators and specialists in agriculture.  This Filipino scientist authored books and technical papers widely recognized in his field.

Nothing that is good passes unnoticed.  For all this efforts.  Dr. Villareal was chosen as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) in 1971.

Dr. Marcos P. Vega

Dr.Marcos P. Vega

Dr. Marcos P. Mega is an Educator, Scientist, and a Researchers.

“Be the best of whatever you are.”  This philosophy has guided Dr. Marcos P. Vega throughout his life.  Upon graduating with honors at the University of the Philippines, Los Banos (UPLB), he immediately joined the faculty of the State University.  It did not take long for him to earn the reputation of being one of the best faculty members in the UP College of Agriculture.

Dr. Vega left for the U.S.A in 1956 to take a master’s degree in Weed Science.  After year, be returned to UPLB and launched the university’s Weed Science Program.  He was appointed as the Director of Research in 1970.  He formulated the development strategies for the country’s rice and con program.  This greatly helped in boosting the country’s production of rice and corn.

Dr. Vega’s contributions to the study of weed science did not end there.  he gained international recognition as an expert in his field.  In 1972, he joined the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), based in Los Banos, Laguna.  He was the first Filipino to be appointed as director IRRI.  After five years, he was promoted to Deputy Director General, the second highest position in the institute.  As an IRRI administrator, he involved national scientists in strengthening and accelerating rice improvement programs in the Philippines and in other countries.