Research awards

AQD scientist Dr. Emilia Quinitio received this year’s prestigious Dr. Elvira O. Tan Memorial Award for her paper “Domestication of the mud crab Scylla serrata.” Her work was chosen as the best published paper in the inland fisheries category. The EO Tan award is given by the (Philippine) Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Her co-authors are Ms. Joana Joy de la Cruz, Dr. Maria Rowena Eguia, Dr. Fe Dolores Estepa, Mr. Gaudioso Pates, and Dr. Celia Lavilla-Pitogo. The award was given on 29 July at the University of the Philippines Los Baños.

In addition, AQD associate researcher Mr. Joseph Leopoldo Laranja Jr. won second place for his work “Effects of dietary L-tryptophan on the agonistic behavior, growth, and survival of juvenile mud crab Scylla serrata”  in the search for the Best Research Award for Young Scientist  (BRAYS), agricultural science research category, given by Merck Inc. Philippines in cooperation with DOST. Dr. Emilia Quinitio, Dr. Mae Catacutan, and Dr. Relicardo Coloso co-authored the paper. Mr. Laranja received his award on 13 May at the Diamond Hotel, Manila.