A PROFESSOR of the Department of Biological Sciences and the Research Center for Natural and Applied Sciences of the University of Santo Tomas was named one of the Filipino Faces of Biotechnology for 2020.

Prof. Mary Beth Maningas was honored for her contributions for the advancement of biotechnology in the country.

The Department of Agriculture’s Biotechnology Program Office confirmed the award in an official letter sent to Maningas last November 9, 2020.

According to DA, the award is given to outstanding Filipinos who have contributed or played a significant role in the advancement of biotechnology, encompassing the fields of agriculture, health, environment, information, and education, and policy.

Among Maningas’ most significant innovations is the cost-effective, onsite, and rapid White Spot Syndrome Virus diagnostics kit that benefited shrimp farmers.

Maningas has been the recipient of prestigious grants such as the 2016 Newton Fund for Leaders in Innovation Fellowship from the Royal Academy of Engineering in the United Kingdom.

The conferment of the award will be in 2021.