What is common among these people—Dr. Kathleen B. Aviso, Dr. Anabelle V. Briones, Dr. Salvacion Gatchalian, Dr. Desiree Hautea, Dr. Sandra Teresa V. Navarra, Dr. Jonel Saludes, Dr. Francis Aldrine Uy and Edgardo G. Vazquez?
They are scientists who are popular in their respective fields, such as biotechnology, chemical biology, engineering, environment, health, and housing.
But their latest common attribute is that they were honored to be listed among the most outstanding scientists and researchers in the 2021 edition of the Asian Scientist 100 of the Asian Scientist Magazine.
The list also includes scientists and researchers from Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.
This year’s Asian Scientist 100 celebrates the meaningful science taking place in Asia and the researchers that continue to make breakthroughs amidst a global pandemic, said the Asian Scientist.
In addition to fields ranging from physics to agriculture, this year’s list highlighted the achievements of six scientists at the forefront of Covid-19 research.
“It is now clearer than ever that science—and scientists—are what will help us overcome challenges like Covid-19 and longer term issues like climate change,” said Dr. Rebecca Tan, editor-in-chief of Asian Scientist Magazine.
“We are committed to shining a spotlight on the scientists who often work behind-the-scenes to bring much needed innovations like new vaccines to the world,” Tan said.
To be considered for the list, the honoree must have been awarded a national or international prize in 2020 for their research, or must have a significant accomplishment in scientific discovery or leadership that benefits academia or industry.
Dr. Kathleen B. Aviso
De La Salle University
Aviso was awarded the 2020 Dr. Michael Purvis Award for Sustainability Research for her important contributions to environmental systems engineering as well as developing novel optimization models to guide national and global environmental decision making.
Dr. Annabelle V. Briones
Department of Science and Technology
Briones was awarded the 2020 Gregorio Y. Zara Award for Applied Science Research for designing a mosquito ovicidal/larvicidal trap system aimed at reducing the incidence of dengue fever.
Dr. Salvacion Gatchalian
Research Institute for Tropical Medicine
Gatchalian was posthumously honored with the Dr. Lourdes Espiritu Campos Award for Public Health for her advocacy for tobacco control and the immunization of children.
Dr. Desiree M. Hautea
University of the Philippines Los Baños
Hautea was conferred the 2020 Leads Agriculture Award by the Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology for her research into the adoption of the genetically modified Bt eggplant in the Philippines.
Dr. Sandra Teresa V. Navarra
University of Santo Tomas Hospital
Navarra was awarded the Dr. Paulo C. Campos Award for Health Research by the Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology for her research on lupus.
Dr. Jonel Saludes
University of San Agustin
Saludes was awarded the 2020 Gregorio Y. Zara Award for Basic Science Research for his research into the chemical biology of natural products from organisms.
Dr. Francis Aldrine Uy
Mapua University
Uy is the recipient of the 2020 David M. Consunji Award for Engineering Research for his engineering and innovation projects, including a sensor that monitors the structural integrity of buildings.
Edgardo G. Vazquez
Vazbuilt Technology
Vazquez, known for inventing sturdy, prefabricated modular housing, won the 2020 Ceferino Follosco Award for Product and Process Innovation.