5 Famous Filipino Biologists and Their Significant Contributions

Filipinos have been famous all over the world in major field like arts, literature, technology and science especially in the field of biology. These Filipino biologists are famous for their notable discoveries, research and contributions that changed and made an impact to this field of natural science. Here are some of the most famous Filipino biologists, their scientific contributions and their achievements:

· Asuncion K. Raymundo – is the first Filipina Molecular Microbiologist to pioneer the application of biotechnology in the Philippines. Dr. Raymundo found a way to discriminate local prevalent pathogen strains like Ralstonia solanacearum and Xanthomonas oryzae to allow selection of the appropriate variety resistant to this strain for planting. Dr. Raymundo completed her bachelor’s degree (cum laude) at the University of the Philippines, College of Agriculture, major in Soil Microbiolog and received her Masteral at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, both in the United States. Dr. Raymundo received a number of awards in recognition of her work in microbiology, microbial genetics and biotechnology like the National Research Council of the Philippines Distinguished Award in Biology, Crop Science of the Philippine Achievement Award in Research and Outstanding Microbiologist Award given by the Philippine Society for Microbiology.

Asuncion K. Raymundo

· Prescillano M. Zamora – is known for his works on plant anatomy-morphology, pteridophyte biology, and the preservation of environment and natural resources policy study. His work on the xylem elements on vascular plants is the basis for the formulation of the two-phase wall deposition concept which was now accepted universally. Dr. Zamora finished his study in B.S. Agriculuture and M.S. Agronomy at the University of the Philippines, Los Baños, and his Ph.D. (Holiculture) at Rutgers State University in the year 1966. His studies on the taxonomy of Philippine ferns led to the discovery for more discoveries for more species of the group. With his achievements, he was a NSF Research grantee and a UP Professional Chair Holder.

Prescillano M. Zamora

· Bienvenido O. Juliano – is a National Scientist who focused on the properties of starch and protein in relation to rice grain quality. He is one of the 1964 TOYM Awardees for Science. He was in charge of grain quality research at the International Rice Research Institute from 1961-1993 and contributed much to the basic knowledge in differences between varieties of grain quality of rice. He showed that any lose content of starch is the key determinant of eating quality of milled rice in Asia and extremely negatively connected with stickiness of cooked rice.

Bienvenido Juliano

· Edgardo D. Gomez – is a world-renowed marine biologist and professor emeritus of the University of the Philippines (UP), Marine Science Institute (MSI) in Diliman, Quezon City. He was acknowledged because of his exceptional research triumphs on marine ecosystems that serve as foundation for the supervision and protection programs for the country’s ocean and marine resources. He was born on November 7, 1983. His study on coral reefs led to his work on the true giant clam (Tridacna gigas) and is credited for saving his shelled mollusk from extinction. He also holds a Ph.D. in marine biology granted by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California at San Diego.

Edgardo D. Gomez

· Evelyn Mae T. Mendoza – is an academician in the Forefront of Plant Biotechnology. It there is a plant expert in the Philippines who can answer questions on plant biotechnology, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and nutritional acceptability of plan foods. She was born on August 7, 1947 and obtained her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry (cum laude) from Mapua Institute of Technology in 1967, her master’s degree and doctorate degree in Biochemistry from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in the United States in 1975. She has received a number of awards and recognition because of her works including Recognition Award from the Institute of Plant Breeding, the CSSP’s (Crop Science Society of the Philippines) Achievement Award for Research and 1989 Outstanding Researcher, University of the Philippines, Los Baños.