AN ACADEMIC researcher from the University of Santo Tomas was named the 2024 National Research Council of the Philippines Gabay Awardee.

Rev. Fr. Nicanor Pier Giorgio Austriaco was recognized for his groundbreaking 2SIR-VD Model, which optimized COVID19 vaccine distribution during the critical first year of the vaccine rollout in the Philippines.

The study, co-authored with Mary Chelsea Diego and Red Lazaro from the Department of Biological Sciences, Angus White of Providence College – USA, and Allan Paola Almajose from the Department of Chemical Engineering, modified the susceptible-infected-recovered model to guide vaccine deployment.

“The model targeted the National Capital Region as the main focus area of widespread vaccine distribution to mitigate viral transmission, which was high in the capital, while the rest of the archipelago can first focus on medical frontliners, senior citizens, and adults with comorbidities,” UST said.

The study “2SIR-VD model to compare idealized COVID19 vaccine distribution strategies in the Philippines,” was published in the Philippine Journal of Science and helped the Philippine government in distributing limited vaccine supply to the sectors who needed it most.

The NRCP Gabay Award is given annually to active NRCP members whose research works have resulted or translated to adopted technologies and policies; or have informed local and national policymaking.