Scientist Chairs NRCP Bio-Sci Division

DR. CLARO M. SANTIAGO, JR., a British–educated savant from the University of Nottingham, England and current Assistant Research Director of the University of Perpetual Help System (UPHSD) DALTA and an active Scientist of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), was elected Chair of the Biological Sciences Division of the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) during its 80th General Membership Assembly held at the Manila Hotel on March 13, 2013.

Prior to his election, Dr. Santiago was a recipient of various scientific awards notably an achievement award from the Council in 2006 and several invention awards from the Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI) of DOST. As scientist, he used to be with DOST’s Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) where he led studies on the genetic manipulation and propagation of various species of mushroom that eventually improved their usage and profitability, among others.

With his election as new Chair of the Bio-Sci division, Dr. Santiago is expected to participate and institute new programs on the project – “Agham para sa kaunlaran ng bayan” (AKBAY) which aims to bring science and technology closer to the people particularly the poor communities.  The newly – elected officials took their oath to office on March 25, 2013 at the NRCP with NRCP Scientist, Dr. Lourdes Cruz administering the oath. (03/26/2013, S&T MEDIA SERVICE)