VICE RECTOR for Research and Innovation Prof. Maribel Nonato has joined the ranks of scientists conferred the title “national academician” by the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST).
Nonato was acknowledged by the scientific body on May 27 for her pioneering work on the pandanus species, locally known as pandan.
Her research had won the 2006 National Research Council of the Philippines Achievement Award in Chemical Sciences, 2016 Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology Gregorio Zara Award for Basic Science Research, and the 2017 Philippine Federation of Chemistry Societies Shimadzu Achievement Award for Chemical Research.
After earning her bachelor’s and master’s degree in chemistry at the University, the former Science dean acquired her doctorate degree in chemistry of natural products at the University of Wollongong in Australia.
Other Thomasians previously named to the NAST were Prof. Emeritus Fortunato Sevilla, graduate school faculty members Mudgeekeewis Santos and Veronica Chan, tropical medicine specialist Dr. Remigio Olveda and historian Gregorio Zaide.
The title “academician” is one of the highest distinctions conferred on a scientist, whether in the natural, health or social sciences, in the Philippines.
Founded in 1976, the NAST is the highest recognition and scientific advisory body of the country and is under the Department of Science and Technology.
