A CENTRO Escolar University alumna developed a testing kit which can prevent a highly contagious viral infection among crustaceans called White Spot Syndrome Virus.

Dr. Beth Maningas established the Laboratory of Aquatic Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the University of Santo Tomas and led her team in the development of the testing kit.

“This is the first attempt to penetrate the industry armed with a technology developed by local investors,” Maningas said.

“Other ASEAN countries have developed their own technology, but we do not want to rely on their technologies forever,” she added.

In 2010, fishponds in the provinces of Cebu, Bulacan, and Zamboanga del Sur were affected by the WSSV.

Back then, Maningas returned home from Japan as a fresh doctoral graduate of Applied Marine Biosciences at the Tokyo University.

After knowing the spread of the virus in the country, she visited the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and learned WSSV is on top of BFAR’s list of current challenges.

“At least 22 shrimp farm operators all over the country are now capable of doing on-site testing and implementing good aquaculture practices in farm management,” Maningas said.

Maningas obtained her degree Bachelor of Science in Biology in 1990 and is presently a professor at the Department of Biological Sciences at UST.

She was also named one of the Faces of Biotechnology in 2022.