AN ASSISTANT professor of the University of Santo Tomas was named as the 2024 Outstanding Young Scientist by the National Academy of Science and Technology.

Dr. Reuel Bennet was recognized for his research efforts as a young researcher at the Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences, specifically for his work on the taxonomy and evolution of oomycetes while a graduate student.

“Building on the comprehensive study by Dogma, Bennett’s contributions helped ‘fill in the missing literature and knowledge gap in Philippine oomycetes,’” UST said.

“His studies focus on oomycete taxonomy, ecology, and evolution. Recently, he has engaged with fellow Thomasian researchers on the applied aspects of oomycetes such as fatty acids and secondary metabolites,” it added.

Bennett’s study collaborators include Prof. Dr. Gina Dedeles, Inst. Mark Devanadera, Prof. Dr. Mafel Ysrael, Inst. Nono Caguimbal, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Kim Arafiles.

His current focus is on researching and training students eager to learn about oomycetes, involving long hours of microscopic observations to decode their life cycle and development.

Meanwhile, Bennett acknowledged College of Science dean Dr. Rey Donne Papa for the nomination, and his plant pathology and mycology professor Prof. Dr. Irineo Dogma, Jr. as the “authority on zoosporic fungi.”

He also thanked his graduate research advisers Prof. Dedeles and Prof. Dr. Marco Thines, and his colleagues and teachers, including Asst. Prof. Mae Lowe Diesmos, Prof. Dr. Thomas Edison dela Cruz, Prof. Dr. Pia Marie S.P. Albano, and Prof. Dr. Maureen Sabit.