University of the Philippines (UP) researchers dominated the 2020 Outstanding Young Scientists (OYS) awarded by the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST).

NAST, the Philippines’ highest science policy advisory body, announced 12 new OYS Awardees on its social media on June 11, 2020.

UP had 7 young scientists in the 2020 edition of the annual NAST awards given to young Filipino scientists who are 40 years old and below and have made significant contributions to the advancement of science and well-being of the Philippine economy and culture.

The new UP NAST awardees are:

Dr. Remil L. Galay of the University of the Philippines Los Baños, for the field of Veterinary Science
Dr. Rodney H. Perez of the University of the Philippines Los Baños, for the field of Microbial Technology
Dr. Jaime Alfonso M. Aherrera of the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital, for the field of Cardiology
Dr. Francis Norman C. Paraan of the University of the Philippines Diliman, for the field of Physics
Dr. Marlon T. Conato of the University of the Philippines Diliman, for the field of Chemistry
Dr. Betchaida D. Payot of the University of the Philippines Diliman, for the field of Geology
Dr. Aries A. Arugay of the University of the Philippines Diliman, for the field of Political Science
The following are also in the 2020 NAST awardees:

Dr. Adrian P. Ybañez of the Cebu Technological University, for the field of Veterinary Science
Dr. Melbourne R. Talactac of the Cavite State University, for the field of Veterinary Science
Dr. Argel A. Bandala of the De La Salle University, for the field of Electronics and Communications Engineering
Dr. Erees Queen B. Macabebe of the Ateneo de Manila University, for the field of Physics
Dr. Erika Fille T. Legara of the Asian Institute of Management, for the field of Physics
Established in 1980, the NAST OYS Awards receives nominations from the heads of government or private research institutions, college or university departments, and/or academic or professional scientific organizations or societies.

The NAST Awardees are selected based on:

Quality and number of scientific works and publications
Contributions to the advancement of science in general and science in the Philippines
Contributions to the well-being of the Philippine economy and culture