Harvard's "Scientist of the Year" keynotes 2009 S&T week celebration in Manila

Harvard University's pick as "Scientist of the Year" in 2007 was a Filipino scientist who recently keynoted the National Science and Technology Week opening program at the Manila Hotel.

Dr. Baldomero Olivera is an award-winning Filipino scientist renowned for his major research on con snails-a carnivorous, predatory, marine snail common in the Philippines. Found to have significant applications in neuropharmacology, Olivera was able to support development of painkillers from snails.

While serving as professor of biology and neuroscientist at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, he visited several Philippine institutions last year to present his research findings to local researchers, students, and the public under DOST's Balik Scientist Program.

This year Olivera kept the science communities in the country in step with current world developments through the exposition of his work. Focusing around the celebration's theme "Responding to Global Challenges through Science and Technology," he truly provided global perspective which he hoped were shared and spread in DOST's various science communities and in its regional offices.

The science communities in Bicutan, Quezon City, Manila and Los Banos recently held various admission-free activities such as technology fairs, seminars, quiz shows, open house, and techno bazaar. The annual NSTW celebrations showcased the recent domestic S&T developments along with various technology-based opportunities to researchers, science workers, investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, students, and the public.