Assoc. Prof. Arvin Diesmos of the UST Graduate School was conferred the title “National Academician” by the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) during its 43rd Annual Scientific Meeting on June 12 via Zoom.
Diesmos is a renowned biologist who specializes in herpetology or the study of reptiles and amphibians.
He had discovered several new species of frogs, lizards and snakes in the country, such as the Platymantis diesmosi or the Mt. Malinao cliff frog of Bicol, the lizard Parvosincus arvindiesmos and earthworm Pheretima diesmosi.
Diesmos earned his doctorate from the National University of Singapore after finishing his master’sin biology at University of the Philippines-Los Baños.
He had also served as senior scientist at the herpetology division of the National Museum.
In 2013, Diesmos was admitted to the University of Kansas for post-doctoral studies on a Fulbright senior scholarship through the Philippine-American Foundation.
Diesmos said his road to being a full-time scientist was a long one.
“When I was still a boy, I always wanted to become a scientist. And it did happen—dreams do come true, if you put your mind and heart to it,” Diesmos told the Varsitarian.
“My goal is to make great and lasting contributions to nation-building, to serve and uplift the scientific community and to help younger folks attain their dream of becoming a scientist,” Diesmos said.
Diesmos is the seventh Thomasian to be named to the NAST, joining Professor Emeritus Fortunato Sevilla, graduate school faculty members Mudgeekeewis Santos and Veronica Chan, Vice Rector for Research and Innovation Maribel Nonato, tropical medicine specialist Dr. Remigio Olveda, and historian Gregorio Zaide.
The title “academician” is one of the highest distinctions conferred on a scientist by the NAST, a body under the Department of Science and Technology.
