The recent Annual Science Meeting of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) in July was highlighted by the conferment of the ranks of Academician to scientists and the awarding of different several recognitions.

Dr. Christopher C. Bernido, Dr. Leonardo Q. Liongson and Dr. Allan B.I. Bernardo were this year’s recipients of the rank of Academician. Dr, Liwayway G. Engle was given the title of Corresponding Member.

For producing excellent papers, the NAST cited the following scientists in the 2007 Outstanding Scientific Paper Awards.

They are:

• Eufrocina P. Atabay, Edwin C. Atabay, Danilada Duran, Rodante de Vera and Libertado C. for “Enhanced Developmental Competence of Buffalo Oocytes in the Presence of Hormones and Epidermal Growth Factor during In Vitro Maturation;”
• Maria Elinor Grace Q. Sison, Glenn B. Gregorio and Merlyn Mendioro for “The Effect of Different Milling Times on Grain Iron Content and Grain Physical Parameters Associated with Milling of Eight Genotypes of Rice (Oryza sativa L);”
• Wilfredo Y. Licuanan, Porfirio M. Aliño, Willy L. Campos. G.B. Castillo and Marie Antonette J. Meñez for “A Decision to Support Model for Determining Sizes of Marine Protected Areas: Biophysical Considerations;”
• Charina Gracia B. Banaay, Francisco B. Elegado and Ida F. Dalmacio for “Identification and Characterization of the Bacteriocinogenic Lactobacillus plantarum BS25 Isolated from Balao-balao, a Locally Fermented Rice Shrimp Mixture from the Philippines;”
• Henry I. Rivero and Olga M. Nuñeza for “Macro and Microscopial Analyses of the Oocytes of Stegastes nigricans Lacepede (Pomacentridae: Labroidei);”
• Marissa G. Noel and Fabian M. Dayrit- “Triterpenes in the Callus Culture of Vitex negundo L;”
• Ma. Louise Antonette N. de las Peñas and Antonio M. Basilio, SJ on “On Vertex-Colorings of Archimedean Tilings with Applications in Molecular Symmetry;”
• Alexis M. Filone, Cresencio M. Montalbo Jr. and Noriel Christopher C. Tiglao on “Logit Choice Models and Utility Ranking of Transport Modes in Metro Manila with Urban Transport Policy Applications;”
• Joseph Auresenia and Donna Marie G. Taleon on “Biodegradation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls Using Acclimatized Biofilm in a Three-Phase Fluidized Bed Aerobic Reactor;”
• Carmela R. Centeno, Leonila C. Abella and Susan M. Gallardo on “Degradation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Water Matrix Using UV/H2O2 :Effect of Oxidant Concentration and pH;”
• Cenon R. Alfonso, Renato Cirilo A. Ocampo, Shirard Leonard C. Adiviso, Miguel C. Mendoza, Jose Joey H. Bienvenida and Crisostomo E. Arcilla Jr. for “The Philippine College of Surgeons’ National Surgical Manpower Study (NSMS);” and
• Dennis S Mapa-”A Range-Based GARCH Model for Forecasting Financial Volatility.”

The 2007 Outstanding Book award was given to the following:

• Avelino Raymundo for Lost Harvest: Quantifying the Effect of Plant Diseases on Major Crops in the Philippines;
• Leonardo A. Gonzales, Leocadio S. Sebastian, Sergio R. Francisco, Vivian A.Gonzales, Cheryll B. Casiwan. Grace C. Cataquiz, Cenon D. Elca and Geny F. Lapiña for Food Carrying and Income-Generating Capacities of the Rice Sector;
• Emmanuel S. de Dios, Soliman Santos Jr., Toby Melissa C. Monsod and Arsenio M. Balisacan for Philippine Human Development Report 2005: Peace, Human Security and Human Development in the Philippines; and
• Agnes C. Rola, Herminia A. Francisco and Jennifer P.T. Liguton for Winning the Water War: Watersheds Water Policies and Water Institutions.
• Marie Antonette J. Meñez, a professor in the Marine Science Institute, College of Science in UP Diliman and Dr. Paciencia P. Milan of the Leyte State University were this year’s recipients of the NAST-Hugh Greenwood Environmental Science Award for their works in environmental protection and conservation.
• Dr. Regina C. So, a chemistry professor at the Ateneo de Manila University, bagged the 2007 NAST talent search for young scientists for her contributions entitled “Research on the Approaches to the Synthesis of Glycosphingolipids.”
• Dr. Dindo Agustin A. Tabanao, a specialist in applied plant sciences at the Philippine Rice Research Institute, got a special citation for his contributions entitled “Multilocus Epistasis, Linkage and Genetic Variance in Breeding Populations with Few Parents.”