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FAMOUS FILIPINO SCIENTISTS
Gregorio Y. Zara, D.Sc. Physics
His important achievements include:
 The invention of the two-way television telephone;
 The discovery of electrical kinetic resistance known as the Zara effect;
 The invention of an airplane engine that runs on alcohol instead of aviation fuel and
methods by which solar energy can be harnessed; and
 Zara’s airplane engine was successfully tested in a test flight conducted at the Manila
International Airport (now the Ninoy Aquino International Airport) on Sept. 30, 1954.
For having completed over 40 research papers and making 20 outstanding contributions to
science, Zara received many awards, including:
 The Presidential Diploma of Merit;
 He was conferred the Distinguished Service Medal in 1959 for his pioneering works and
achievements in solar energy research, aeronautics and television;
 The Presidential Gold Medal and Diploma of Honor for Science and research in 1966;
 The Cultural Heritage Award for Science Education and Aero Engineering in 1966; and
 Proclaimed as National Scientist and Academician in 1978 by the National Academy of
Science and Technology created in 1976.

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Paulo C. Campos, MD
Is noted for his work in nuclear medicine.
Notable achievements:
 He was credited for establishing the first known radioisotope laboratory in the country
and the first research laboratory of the University of the Philippines Medicine
Department. He also established the Thyroid Clinic of the UP-PGH; and
 As a health scientist, Campos authored and co-authored 75 scientific publications, some
of which have won awards.
Awards:
 Three of his works, titled Observation of Some Parameter of Insulin Action, Cr-51
Tagged Red Cell Studies and The Genetic Factor in Endemic Goiter, have won the first
prize in Research Award;
 In the field of medical research, Campos was named conferred the Gregorio Y Zara
award as an outstanding scientist by the Philippine Association for the Advancement of
Science (PAAS); and
 Proclaimed as National Scientist in 1989 and Academician in 1978 by the National
Academy of Science and Technology created in 1976.

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Jose N. Rodriguez, MD Leprology
He is a renowned Filipino leprologist and researcher who has devoted 53 years of his life to the
control of leprosy in the country.
Education:
 M.D. University of the Philippines, 1920
 CPH Johns Hopkins University, 1932
 MPH Johns Hopkins University, 1948
Achievements:
 As one of the few pioneers in the early fight against leprosy worldwide, Rodriguez
proposed a leprosy control program which was adopted by the Philippines and other
Asian countries;
 He has written many scientific articles on leprosy which have been published in various
medical journals all over the world and which are considered classic texts in leprosy
research.
Awards:
 In recognition of his untiring struggle to control and eradicate leprosy in the Philippines
he is the recipient of many honors and awards, including the 1974 Damien Dutton
Award;
 Proclaimed as Academician in 1979 by the National Academy of Science and Technology
created in 1976.

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Lourdes Jansuy Cruz
Doctor Lourdes Cruz has made scientific contributions to the biochemistry field of conotoxins,
in particular the toxins of the venom of the marine snail Conus geographus.
Educations:
 B.S. Chemistry, University of the Philippines, 1962
 M.S. Biochemistry, University of Iowa, 1966
 Ph.D. Biochemistry, University of Iowa, 1968
Achievements:
 Documented the biochemical characterization of the homologous highly toxic
monomeric peptides with internal disulfide bonds including: Conotoxin GI, Conotoxin
GIA and Conotoxin GII;
 Has helped develop conotoxins for the purpose biochemical probes for examining the
activities of the human brain;
 Lourdes Cruz has published over one hundred and twenty papers in her field of study.
Awards:
 NAST Outstanding Young Scientist Award 1981;
 NRCP Achievement Award in Chemistry 1982;
 Outstanding Women in the Nation's Service Award (Biochemistry) 1986; and
 National Scientist 2008.

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Gregorio T. Velasquez, Ph. D.
Known as the Father of Philippine Phycology, Dr. Velasquez pioneered the intensive study and
collection of the Philippine blue-green algal species.
Some cyanobacteria are sold as food, notably Aphanizomenon flos-aquae and
Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina).
Blue green algae, also known as spirulina, is a form of algae. The aroma and taste of
spirulina is similar to seaweed. It is found in many fresh water locations such as ponds,
lakes and rivers. According the University of Maryland Medical Center (2011), spirulina
is rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, carotenoids and contains nutrients including B
comlex, beta-carotene, vitamin E, manganese, zinc, copper, iron, selenium and gamma
linolenic acid. Due to its supply of nutrients and antioxidants, blue green algae is used
for various health-related issues, ranging from diet supplements and anti-aging to
external skin treatments (eHow).
Recent research has suggested the potential application of cyanobacteria to the
generation of renewable energy via converting sunlight into electricity.[clarification
needed] Currently efforts are underway to commercialize algae-based fuels such as
diesel, gasoline and jet fuel (Wikipedia).

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Education:
 B.S. University of the Philippines - 1925
 M.S. University of the Philippines - 1931
 M.A. University of Michigan - 1937
 Ph. D. University of Michigan - 1939
Achievements:
 He studied and investigated algal specimens in Oriental Mindoro, Eastern Palawan, Sulu,
Batangas and Bataan such as the Euglenophyceae, Chlorophyceae, and Myxophyceae;
and
 He was able to produce 47 basic and 77 valuable scientific papers on the subject.
Awards:
 Distinguished Science Medal and Diploma of Honor from RP 1956;
 John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship, 1956-57;
 R.P. Cultural Heritage Award, 1972;
 Citations by the Carnegie Institute of Technology, USA;
 Citation by the Max Planck Institute of Zellbiologie in Germany;
 Emeritus Membership in the New York Academy of Sciences;
 For many years, he was Chairman for Biological Sciences of the National Research
Council of the Philippines;
 In 1982 he was conferred the title of National Scientist;
 With his wife, Carmen Camacho Velasquez, also named as a National Scientist later on;
and
 The Velasquezes claim to be only the second husband and wife pair to be honored as
such in the world after the Curie couple of France.
Reference:
 About ~ http://inventors.about.com/od/filipinoscientists/Filipino_Inventors_and_Filipino_Scientists.htm
 e-How ~ http://www.ehow.com/how_8313160_use-blue-green-algae.html#ixzz2VpyQrUhT
 Wikipedia ~ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyanobacteria
 Blogspot ~ http://jobert.blogspot.com/2006/01/famous-philippine-scientists.html
 DOST ~ http://web.archive.org/web/20040604181149/www.nast.dost.gov.ph/pub-nats.htm