NAST PHL Holds Virtual Awarding Ceremony for 2021 NAST Outstanding Scientists, Researchers
BICUTAN, TAGUIG CITY – The National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) held its virtual Awarding Ceremony last July 15, 2021 as the culminating activity of the 43rd NAST Annual Scientific Meeting.The Awarding Ceremony introduced the new members of the Academy, the Outstanding Young Scientists, and the researchers who won this year’s set of awards. The full list of 2021 NAST Awardees is as follows:
NEW NAST MEMBERS
Four new Academicians were formally accepted to the Academy during the virtual awarding ceremony: CRISTINA J. MONTIEL, Ph.D. (Peace/Political Psychology), ARVIN C. DIESMOS, Ph.D. (Biology), MANOLO G. MENA, Ph.D. (Metallurgy), and CAMILO C. ROA, JR., M.D. (Pulmonary Medicine). The membership to the Academy is given to resident Filipino scientists who have made exemplary contributions to science and technology in the Philippines.
NAST PHL to Conduct the 43rd Annual Scientific Meeting with the Theme "Covid-19 Pandemic: Learning from the Past, Coping with the Present, Moving to the Next"
On July 12-15, 2021, the National Academy of the Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) will conduct the 43rd Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) with the theme "COVID-19 Pandemic: Learning from the Past, Coping with the Present, Moving to the Next.". The Health Sciences Division, chaired by Academician (Acd.) Jaime C. Montoya will be hosting the 43rd ASM. This is the second ASM to be conducted virtually due to the restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 43rd ASM will serve as a forum for sharing of best practices on coping with and addressing the Covid19 pandemic as well as discussing the existing gaps and problems in the country’s health care delivery and health infrastructure, which were further aggravated by the global pandemic. Impacting on all sectors of society and national development, it has become imperative that we learn from these experiences during this crisis and institute all of the needed health reforms and improvements to make our health and social systems more resilient and responsive to emergent and emerging health crises. Another pandemic like COVID-19 is inevitable in the future so we have to learn from what we have done in the past, assess where we are and address the current gaps, and problems to be better prepared for such an occurrence in the future.
NAST PHL in Partnership with Towns Foundation Inc. Launches Webinar Series on Climate Change
The National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL), in partnership with The Outstanding Women in Nation’s Service (TOWNS) Foundation, Inc., conducted the first installment of the webinar series on climate change entitled “Addressing the Challenges of Climate Change on Food Security and Nutrition, and Health” on 21 May 2021 via Zoom and Facebook Live.
Climate Change and Health
Dr. Carlos Primero D. Gundran, assistant professor at the University of the Philippines Manila, discussed the relationship between climate change and health. Dr. Gundran reiterated the importance of reducing greenhouse gases by planting trees and maintaining a low-carbon footprint lifestyle, preventing the transmission of diseases by adhering to good hygiene practices, and lastly, improving household sanitation and proper waste management system.
Dr. Esperanza I. Cabral, chair of the National Implementation Team for Reproductive Health Law, Department of Health, appeals to health leaders to develop a more global vision of environmental health. She said that “the planet is our patient too” and that the health sector must bond together to address the climate crisis to protect the people.