Six Filipino scientists make it to Singapore Asian Scientist's List

6 Filipinos make new 'Asian Scientist 100' list

Kristofer Purnell 
Philstar.com
June 6, 2026 

MANILA, Philippines — Six (6) Filipino scientists have been included in the eighth release of the "Asian Scientist 100" list by Singapore's Asian Scientist Magazine.

Honorees: May Anne Mata, Marcela Navasero, Mary Donnabelle Balela, Aurelio delos Reyes, Romulo Davide and Garry Benico

Since 2016 the magazine annually compiles a list of the most outstanding researchers in the Asia-Pacific region, highlighting their achievements across a range of scientific disciplines.

Requirements for inclusion are being a recipient of a national or international prize for their research of a significant scientific discovery or provided leadership in academia.

Past Filipino honorees including National Scientists Ramon Cabanos Barba, Angel C. Alcala, Edgardo D. Gomez, Gavino Cajulao Trono Jr., Emil Q. Javier, and Carmencita David-Padilla, Philippine Space Agency director general Gay Jane Perez and Project NOAH executive director Mahar Lagmay.

The following are this year's Filipino honorees:

Marcela M. Navasero (natural pest control and agricultural biosecurity)

Romulo G. Davide (plant pathology and nematology)

Mary Donnabelle L. Balela (oil spill mitigation and marine environmental protection)

Garry Benico (aquatic biosciences)

Aurelio A. de los Reyes (mathematical modeling - reproductive health)

May Anne E. Mata (mathematical biology - infectious disease)

Navasero is a recipient of the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award, who is recognized for her leadership in natural pest control and agricultural biosecurity.

She led rapid pest assessments, managed outbreak responses and identified natural enemies of invasive species as a frontliner of the National Crop Protection Center’s Quick Response Team.

Davide, dubbed the "Father of Philippine Nematology," was named a National Scientist in 2024 and is known for his pioneering work in plant pathology and nematology, particularly his research on plant-parasitic nematodes.

Balela received the Outstanding Research and Development Award. During the Department of Science and Technology's National Science and Technology Week 2024 for developing modular kapok booms for marine oil spills.

The scientist's work uses biodegradable, locally sourced kapok fibres to create reusable oil sorbents capable of absorbing several times their weight in oil, offering a sustainable, low-waste solution for oil spill mitigation and marine environmental protection.

De los Reyes received the same award for his mathematical modeling of optimal contraception dosing strategies to improve reproductive health and last year was named the National Research Council of the Philippines Achievement Awardee for Mathematical Sciences. 

Benico was named an Outstanding Young Scientist by the National Academy of Science and Technology last year for his research in aquatic biosciences, particularly the taxonomy and systematics of microalgae and harmful dinoflagellates affecting marine ecosystems, fisheries, and aquaculture.

Mata was also given the distinction for her exemplary research in infectious disease modeling and analysis, applied mathematics, mathematical biology and operations research. 

Scientists in Philippines develop new rice variety aimed at combatting diabetes

Scientists in Philippines develop new rice variety aimed at combatting diabetes

Statistics Canada reports that as of 2020-21, there were 3.7 million Canadians living with diabetes — almost 10 per cent of the population

Stewart Lewis
National Post (Canada)
Sep 26, 2024

Scientists at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines have developed a new variety of rice that could help reduce the growing worldwide burden of diabetes.

An estimated 537 million adults on the planet are living with the disease. And that number is expected to grow to 783 million in the next 20 years.

Statistics Canada reports that as of 2020-21, there were 3.7 million Canadians living with diabetes – almost 10 per cent of the population.

Diabetes is a chronic condition that develops when a person’s body doesn’t produce or effectively use insulin, which it needs to turn sugar into energy. If a person’s blood sugar is excessively high, symptoms such as thirst, blurred vision, and headaches can arise. The worst-case scenario driven by consistently high blood sugar can involve blindness or amputation of the toes or feet.

There are essentially two types of diabetes. Type 1 is an auto-immune condition that is not preventable. Those sufferers must take insulin daily.

However, Type 2 diabetes can be combatted to some extent by changes in lifestyle and eating, sometimes preventing the need for diabetes medication. People with Type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes can benefit from a diet of food low on the glycemic index (GI).

GI measures how fast a food item raises blood sugar levels and contributes to diabetes. According to Diabetes Canada, GI is a scale from 1-100 that ranks a carbohydrate-containing food or drink by how much it raises blood sugar levels after it is consumed. Foods with a high GI (70 or more) increase blood sugar higher and faster than foods with a low GI (55 or less).

Most available rice varieties have GI levels between 70 and 72. White rice is notable for having a high glycemic count.

The good news is that the IRRI has developed a rice variety that has a GI as low as 25. Also high in protein, the new rice variety looks like white rice but has smaller grains.

The IRRI researchers have been working with the University of California, the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology in Germany, and Bulgaria’s Centre of Plant Systems Biology, reports the Guardian.

Using the IRRI’s extensive rice gene bank, the world’s largest, researchers screened 380 seed samples over 10 years to identify genes with a lower glycemic index and higher protein content. Then they combined them, creating a diabetes-friendly, healthier rice option.

Dr. Nese Sreenivasulu, the principal scientist at the IRRI’s grain quality and nutrition centre, told the Guardian: “We thought that if we could come up with a diet with low glycemic index properties (and) that could be considered healthier, not only to those subjects who are diabetic and pre-diabetic … then it could be a very good intervention to counter growing incidences (of diabetes).”

The rice has yet to be grown outside IRRI’s laboratories, but the IRRI plan is to start growing the new varieties in India and the Philippines as part of the IRRI’s aim to combat hunger in countries where rice is the staple food, reports Philippines-based website wionnews.com.

The IRRI project is currently undergoing multi-location trials in over 10 Philippines provinces. It is hoping the new rice variety will be ready for market within two years.

Young Fil-Am to join Ocean Exploration Trust in South Pacific

Fil-Am teen selected to explore marine life aboard Nautilus

Story by Mary Villegas
Inquirer.net
07 September 2024

Scientists have sent spacecraft to the dark side of the moon and landed rovers on Mars yet more than 80 percent of the ocean remains unexplored.

Filipino American student Samantha-Lynn Martinez wants to help unravel the mystery of the ocean and explore marine life and ecosystems. She will be one of 16 interns – chosen out of 400 applicants – to participate in the exploration of deep-sea habitats in the South Pacific. 

Martinez will join the Ocean Exploration Trust – founded by Dr. Robert Ballard, who is known for discovering the wreck of the Titanic – aboard the research vessel E/V Nautilus.

The Ocean Exploration Trust and the Nautilus Exploration Program seek out new discoveries in geology, biology and archaeology while conducting scientific exploration of the seafloor. 

It is a pioneer in ocean exploration using advanced technologies like remotely operated vehicles and seafloor mapping systems. Their expeditions are streamed live on NautilusLive.org.

“Very, very excited,” Martinez posted on Facebook. Scheduled this September, the ocean expedition will set a milestone for the University of Washington student who is eyeing a career in marine science.

In collaboration with the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa, the expedition aims to highlight STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) and instill curiosity and innovation among young people worldwide.

Martinez is not only passionate about science, but she’s also an artist, working as a graphic designer and illustrator.  Her work has been featured by government organizations, including NOAA Fisheries and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. 

Currently, Martinez is working with the Salish Sea School and the Pacific Mammal Research on various design projects.

In spite of her busy schedule, this Fil-Am teen finds time to honor her Filipino roots and serve the Fil-Am community.

Last year, she partnered with the Filipino Community of Seattle for the cultural event, “Pusit sa Pier,” where she shared her knowledge and showcased her creative side.

You may join Martinez on her exciting journey aboard E/V Nautilus by visiting NautilusLive.org.