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Manila Bulletin devider Lifestyle devider Schools and Universities devider UST researchers honored for excellence at PhilAAST 74th Annual Convention

UST researchers honored for excellence at PhilAAST 74th Annual Convention

Published Mar 3, 2026 02:38 pm
PhilAAST board members and 2025 awardees
PhilAAST board members and 2025 awardees
The University of Santo Tomas (UST) marked another milestone as its researchers were recognized at the 74th Annual Convention of the Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology (PhilAAST). With the theme “Embracing a Multifaceted Digital Culture: Moving Forward to Pagtanaw 2050,” the convention gathered leading scientists, educators, and innovators from across the country.
Representing the UST College of Science and the Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences (RCNAS), Acad. prof. Emeritus Fortunato B. Sevilla III, Ph.D., was conferred a PhilAAST Fellowship in recognition of his distinguished career and lifelong contributions to the advancement of science in the Philippines.
Prof. Rey Donne S. Papa, Ph.D. (right), receives his Gregorio Y. Zara Award for Basic Science Research from PhilAAST president Fortunato de la Peña (middle)
Prof. Rey Donne S. Papa, Ph.D. (right), receives his Gregorio Y. Zara Award for Basic Science Research from PhilAAST president Fortunato de la Peña (middle)
Thomasian delegates during the convention, joined by awardees from the College of Science and the Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences (RCNAS), who were recognized for their outstanding research and leadership
Thomasian delegates during the convention, joined by awardees from the College of Science and the Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences (RCNAS), who were recognized for their outstanding research and leadership
Acd. prof. Emeritus Fortunato B. Sevilla III (third from left) is presented with his PhilAAST Fellow award by PhilAAST president Fortunato de la Peña (fourth from left), together with fellow honorees
Acd. prof. Emeritus Fortunato B. Sevilla III (third from left) is presented with his PhilAAST Fellow award by PhilAAST president Fortunato de la Peña (fourth from left), together with fellow honorees
Prof. Karen S. Santiago, Ph.D. (second from left), receives her Francis Ferrer Award for Productivity through Technology from the Officers of PhilAAST
Prof. Karen S. Santiago, Ph.D. (second from left), receives her Francis Ferrer Award for Productivity through Technology from the Officers of PhilAAST
Prof. Rey Donne S. Papa, Ph.D., dean of the College of Science and academic staff of the Department of Biological Sciences, received the Gregorio Y. Zara Award for Basic Science Research for his pioneering work in freshwater science, zooplankton taxonomy, and limnology. Meanwhile, prof. Karen S. Santiago, Ph.D., from the Department of Chemistry, was honored with the Francis Ferrer Award for Productivity through Technology for her research on smart polymers and nanomaterials, particularly their applications in chemical sensing, controlled delivery systems, and self-healing materials.
UST also earned recognition in the scientific poster category. A research team led by assoc. prof. Alan Rodelle M. Salcedo, Ph.D., of the Department of Chemistry, together with students Katrina Beatrice F. Panopio and Ian Joseph F. Halim, won Second Prize for Best Scientific Poster Presentation for their study titled “Digital Image-Based Colorimetric Sensing of Lead(II) Using Dithizone and Smartphone Imaging.” In a separate distinction, prof. Christina A. Binag, Ph.D., also from the Department of Chemistry, was elected as a member of the PhilAAST Board, further strengthening UST’s presence in national scientific leadership.

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