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By Katherine Mae M. Lopez, Contributor
Three young Filipino scientists present their
scientific papers at the finals of the National Academy of Science
and Technology (NAST) Talent Search for Young Scientists 2008.
“This shows we have not lost hope, that we
look forward to a bright future. It’s the lining behind those
clouds,” says Emil Javier, president of NAST, in his welcome
remarks during the presentation.
The NAST, which is the country’s highest
recognition body on science and technology, organized the search to
encourage young people to pursue a career in science.
A curative ingredient
Thirty-four-year-old Grecebio Jonathan
Alejandro, PhD, is a botanist and professor at the College of
Science at the University of Santo Tomas, Manila. His study
reclassified Greeniopsis and Villaria, both endemic to Philippine
flora and belonging to the coffee family into a coffee plant
subfamily called Ixoroidea. Plants belonging to the latter contain
iridoids, which are known for their antibacterial and antiviral
properties as well as their potential to cure dysentery and ulcers.
“Since Greeniopsis and Villaria also belong to subfamily Ixoroidea,
it can be inferred that they are potential sources of these iridoids,”
Alejandro explains in his study.
A new protein
The research of Marian Pulido, Ph.D., focuses on
a new protein from archaeons, the oldest forms of life on earth that
can survive in extreme conditions like high temperatures. The
33-year-old research associate at the Museum of Natural History in
the University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna, conducted her
studies with professors of the Osaka University in Japan. She
elaborates that Tk-subtilisin, a kind of protein from archaeon has
promising industrial applications.
Since Tk-subtilisin is “very heat loving,”
Pulido says it is possible that the protein is abundant in the
Philippines because of the presence of many volcanoes in the
country. “This presents a potential economic gain for the
Philippines,” She comments, continuing, “It would be cheaper if
we can produce this type of enzymes for industrial uses so the
Philippines no longer have to import enzymes from other countries.
Pulido intones that the government should initiate intensive
research on the potential industrial applications of microorganisms.
An IT innovation
Raphael Guerrero, Ph.D, 31, came up with an
information technology innovation. Guerrero who teaches physics at
the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City introduces bigger
data storage for computers and a new way of producing images.
Elaborating on the technical feature of his invention, he says,”
My ‘volume holographic storage’ is an optical hard disk which
uses optical passwords to access documents and generate material
using elastomer.” An elastomer, explains the young scientist is an
elastic polymer with long chains of molecules similar to plastic. A
hologram is a photographic image that is three-dimensional and
appears to have depth. Guerrero states that stretching the elastomer
could form images. He admits however that his study is limited to
two-dimensional images. He reveals that his interest in lasers led
him to work with optics.
The works of the three finalists would be judged
based on their interview with the panel of judges and the merit of
the technical papers they presented. National Scientist Ricardo
Lantican, chairman of the board of judges says only one winner will
be chosen while the two remaining finalists would receive citations.
The grand winner will receive a cash prize of P40,000 while the two
runner-up will get P10,000 each. “All three participants will also
be given a plaque of recognition,” Lantican adds.
The awarding ceremony of the NAST Talent Search
for Young Scientists is scheduled on July 10, 2008, at the Manila
Hotel.
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