Three Thomasians were recognized in the 2021 edition of Asian Scientist 100, a selected list of scientists that acknowledge the top researchers and contributors from Asia. Having received national prizes in the year preceding the award, UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and UST Hospital Rheumatology Section Chief Prof. Sandra Teresa V. Navarra, M.D., and UST Graduate School alumni Dr. Jonel Saludes and Dr. Annabelle V. Briones qualified for this year’s list.
For 2021, eight Filipinos, including the three Thomasians, are among the Asian Scientist 100.
Prof. Sandra Teresa V. Navarra, M.D. is a renowned rheumatologist in Asia. Most recently, Navarra was awarded the 2020 Dr. Paulo C. Campos Award for Health Research by the Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology for her research on lupus. Currently the head of the Rheumatology section of both UST FMS and UST Hospital, she has been a UST professor since 1985. She is also the President and CEO of the Rheumatology Educational Trust Foundation, Inc. (RETFI). She earned her Doctor of Medicine degree, cum Laude, from UST in 1980.
Joining Navarra and the ranks of AS100 is Dr. Jonel Saludes, who graduated Summa cum Laude in 2000 with a degree in MS Chemistry. His qualifying award was the 2020 Gregorio Y. Zara Award for Basic Science Research for his research into the chemical biology of natural products from organisms. He is currently a Professor of Chemistry and Associate Vice President – Office of the Research and Global Relations of the University of San Agustin in Iloilo City.
The third Thomasian for this year’s list is Department of Science and Technology–Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) Director Dr. Annabelle V. Briones, who earned her MS in Chemistry degree in 1993. She received 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.
From 2017, six Thomasian professionals have made it to the Asian Scientist 100 yearly list: Prof. Raymond Rosales, M.D. (Medicine, 2017), Assoc. Prof. Ricardo S. Balog (Engineering, 2019), Rosalinda Torres, Ph.D., (Pharmacy, 2019), Prof. Alicia M. Aguinaldo, Ph.D. (Science, 2020), Raul Destura, MD, (Science, 2020), and Engr. Susan Gallardo, Ph.D. (Engineering, 2020).
According to its website, the Asian Scientist Magazine annually compiles a list of Asia’s most outstanding researchers. In its sixth edition, the Asian Scientist 100 list celebrates the success of the region’s best and brightest, highlighting their achievements across a range of scientific disciplines. To be acknowledged on this list, the honoree must have received a national or international prize in the preceding year for his or her research. Alternatively, he or she must have made a significant scientific discovery or provided leadership in academia or industry.
The full list can be viewed through this link: https://www.asianscientist.com/as100/
