A THOMASIAN chemist made it to the 2020 list of The Asian Scientist 100 for her research on the anti-tuberculosis and anti-diabetic properties of Philippine plants.
Alicia Aguinaldo was the only Thomasian professor acknowledged by the Asian Scientist Magazine on Oct. 10.
She previously received the Philippine Federation of Chemistry Societies Shimadzu Achievement Award for Chemical Research in 2019.
“Our team conducts investigations on natural products, specifically Philippine plants with antitubercular properties, those that inhibit the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and plants that have anti-diabetic properties,” Aguinaldo told the Varsitarian in an online interview.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a species of pathogenic bacteria and the causative agent of tuberculosis.
Aguinaldo emphasized the need to promote research in areas that are least explored.
“We have many areas in the sciences worth pursuing but there are very few researchers in these areas,” she added.
Aguinaldo obtained her bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1976 and master’s degree in 1982 from the University.
She is a resident researcher at the UST Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences, where she specializes in the phytochemistry of plants or chemicals derived from the plants.
Founded in 2016, the Asian Scientist Magazine publishes an annual listing of researchers who had made discoveries and significant contributions to science.
Faculty of Engineering Assistant Dean Richard Balog and Dr. Raymond Rosales, a graduate of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, made it to the list in 2016 and 2017, respectively. J.V. V. Yap
