THREE academic staff from the University of Santo Tomas won awards at the 2024 National Academy of Science and Technology Talent Search for Young Scientists.

They were Instructor John Andrew C. Albay, Inst. Katherine Yasmin M. Garcia, and Assistant Professor Jame Monren T. Mercado.

Albay, who hails from the Department of Mathematics and Physics, bagged the third prize for his work “Colloidal Heat Engine Driven by Engineered Active Noise.”

As such, Albay became the first NAST TSYS awardee in the department.

Garcia of the Department of Chemistry was recognized for her work entitled “Antiproliferative and Cytotoxic Cytochalasins from 𝘚𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘢 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘢 Inhibit Action Polymerization and Aggregation.”

Mercado, who is an academic researcher at the Research Center for Social Sciences and Education, was recognized for his work entitled “Ysla de Panciteria: A Preliminary Study on the Culinary Heritage Significance of Pancit Using the Heritage Documentation Approach — the Case of Luzon Island, Philippines.”

Mercado co-authored the work with Dr. Avi Ben Andalecio of the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management.

The Academy recognizes and provides incentives to Filipino scientists for outstanding achievements in scientific research and development.

NAST PHL, through its Recognition function, has contributed significantly to promoting and fostering excellence in science and technology research in the country.