TWO graduates of the University of Santo Tomas Graduate School were conferred awards during the 69th Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology Convention.

Dr. Jonel Saludes and Dr. Annabelle Briones received the Gregorio Y. Zara Award for Basic Science and Gregorio Y. Zara Award for Applied Science, respectively.

The university said Saludes was recognized for his contribution to “the chemical biology of natural products from organisms and synthetic peptides for the detection of nanoparticles taking part in cell signaling and cancer metastasis.”

Saludes graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2000 with a degree in MS Chemistry. He is currently a professor of Chemistry and Associate Vice President of the Research and Global Relations of the University of San Agustin in Iloilo City.

Meanwhile, Briones, director of the Department of Science and Technology’s Industrial Technology Development Institute, is known for her role in the development of mosquito ovicidal/larvicidal trap system that helped reduce dengue cases in the country.

She was also responsible for the design and prototyping of salt-processing equipment that included an evaporator set-up, washer, and iodizer which helped small businesses provide adequate supply of iodized salt that complied with the ASIN Law.

Briones also conducted studies on the utilization of carrageenan in drug and gene delivery systems serving as anti-bacterial coating for biomaterial surface.