ERNESTO DOMINGO, MD: The Newest National Scientist is a Liver Specialist and Medical Educator

            By virtue of Malacañang Proclamation 1979 issued on January 14, 2010, Academician Ernesto Domingo, MD has been conferred the title and rank of National Scientist. This is the highest award that the Philippine government can bestow on a Filipino scientist for his or her excellent accomplishments in science and technology. Among the outstanding scientific contributions of Dr. Domingo are: elucidation of the nature of schistosome granuloma and its role in hepatosplenic disease, the pathophysiology of hepatosplemic Schistosomiasis japonica in humans, the epidemiology and control of Hepatitis B and the pathophysiology, clinical behavior and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in Filipinos. Results of his hepatitis research have been utilized in the formulation and implementation of policies and programs of the Department of Health and private sector on hepatitis B immunization and routine hepatitis B and C screening of blood for transfusion.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and L’Oréal, a cosmetic giant, joined forces 12 years ago to support the cause of women in science and stressed the world’s need for science more than ever in the face of the current economic crisis.  On 15 October 2009, UNESCO and L’Oréal announced the names of five exceptional women scientists who were chosen to receive the 2010 L’Oréal-UNESCO Awards in the Life Sciences. The jury composed of 18 eminent members of the scientific community was headed by the 1999 recipient of the Nobel Prize in medicine, Gunter Blobel.

The Philippines is highly vulnerable to the adverse impact of climate change. We now see the increasing occurrence of extreme weather events such as tropical cyclones, resulting in floods, droughts, and forest fires. All these are beginning to affect the output and productivity of our forest ecosystems, agricultural lands, and coastal and marine ecosystems. A warmer climate could also reduce water availability and quality and increase the incidence of climate-sensitive infectious diseases. The poor are especially at risk largely because of their strong dependence on natural ecosystems for their livelihood. In the Philippines, this means about 75 percent of the population who live in the rural areas (about 34 million Filipinos).

As the highest governing body on issues related to science and technology, the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) Philippines led a roundtable discussion (RTD) on  the strategic plan for the coffee industry with stakeholders and experts with the aim of laying out a doable roadmap. This is part of the NAST program on Philippine Agriculture (PA) 2020, in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Agriculture, and other institutions. The RTD was held at the Traders Hotel, Pasay City on 10 September 2009.