Marine Science Institute professor and former UP Diliman College of Science dean Dr. Rhodora Azanza was presented with the 2015 Pantas Award by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
Every year, the council confers the Pantas on an outstanding scientist or researcher who has made exemplary contributions for the advancement of agriculture, aquatic and natural resources in the Philippines.
DOST Undersecretary Amelia Guevara (right) and PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo Ebora hand the award to Azanza during PCAARRD’s 4th anniversary celebration on June 22 (Photo by Nero Austero)
Azanza, fondly known to students and colleagues as The Red Tide Lady, is internationally recognized for her groundbreaking research on seaweeds and harmful microalgal biology, coastal environment management and seafood safety.
One of her recent projects examined toxins and other substrates from harmful algal blooms (HAB) causative organisms and bacteria for standards and tools, an important example of applying bio-innovation to food safety and environment protection.
An academician of the Philippine National Academy of Science and Technology, Azanza was among the 11 awardees honored by the UP Alumni Association with Lifetime Distinguished Achievements in 2013.
Just last year, she received the DOST Outstanding Research and Development Award for Applied Research/Julian A. Banzon Medal for her projects that aimed to develop technology for the detection and mitigation of HABs, more popularly known as red tides.
Azanza is currently the Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs (Linkages) of UP and the director of the Office International Linkages.
