Three researchers from the inland aquatic sector were given the title of Scientist in a ceremony held on July 2016 at the UP NISMED Auditorium, Diliman, Quezon City.
Dr. Rex Ferdinand M. Traifalgar, Ph.D. Fisheries Science (Nutritional Immunology) graduate from Kagoshima University, Japan, and Associate Professor 4 at the University of the Philippines (UP) Visayas in Miagao, Iloilo, was conferred the title of Scientist I by the UP System.
Dr. Traifalgar has researched on the effects of immune compounds from brown algae in improving the growth and resistance to disease of cultured shrimps. He also analyzed how to optimize rearing of shrimp larvae, enriching their diet, reducing head deformities, and using aquatic plants as best feeds for shrimps and mud crabs.
Dr. Traifalgar did these researches in projects mostly funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).
Dr. Traifalgar also spearheaded the research works on the classification and identification of bacterial species that cause off-flavor in milkfish, which will greatly benefit fishermen within the vicinity of Laguna Lake. He led the DOST-PCAARRD funded project, Evaluation of Culture Practices towards the Control of Off-flavor in Milkfish.
Dr. Liberato V. Laureta, Ph.D. Marine Biology graduate from the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom and Professor 10 at the UP Visayas, Miagao, Iloilo, was also bestowed the title of Scientist I for the second time by the UP System.
Dr. Laureta has published numerous research articles in national and international refereed journals, and the book, Compendium of the Economically Important Seashells of Panay Island, Philippines, which was awarded as Outstanding Book in Natural Science by the National Academy of Science and Technology of the DOST (DOST-NAST) in 2012 and the Book Development Association of the Philippines and National Book Development Board in 2010.
Dr. Laureta is the Program Leader of the DOST-PCAARRD project, Enhancement of Hatchery and Nursery Practices for Reliable Supply of Quality Seeds for the Green-lipped Mussel (Perna viridis) Farming and Project Leader of Development of Remote Setting and Nursery Technologies for the Green Mussel.
Finally, Dr. Augusto E. Serrano, Jr., Ph.D. Fisheries Science graduate from Tokyo University of Fisheries, Japan and Professor 12 at the UP Visayas, Miagao, Iloilo, was given the title of Scientist III by the UP System.
Dr. Serrano has received numerous awards for his achievements in fisheries research. He has also published about 86 technical papers in national and international refereed journals. He was the Program Leader of the DOST-PCAARRD National Aquafeeds R&D Program and Project Leader of Utilization of Seaweed/Seaweed by-products as Feed Ingredients for Milkfish, Tilapia and Shrimps.
Scientist titles were given to the three academicians for continuously providing first-rate contributions towards national progress through their discoveries published in reputable journals here and abroad. The awards were for a period of three years and could be renewed for another term based on their scientific productivity during the period of the title.
The honorees are from member-institutions of the National Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Network (NAARRDN). They conduct research in select projects of the Inland Aquatic Resources Research Division (IARRD) of DOST-PCAARRD.
IARRD monitors and evaluates programs/projects in aquafeeds, milkfish, mussels, mudcrab, shrimps, and tilapia, which are being implemented by researchers from member institutions of the NAARRDN. These researchers are assessed based on their expertise and research experiences, among others.