AQD collaborates with PNRI

(L-R) PNRI Scientist Dr. L Abad, AQD Research Division Head Dr. Relicardo Coloso, AQD Chief Dr. Felix Ayson, PNRI Director Dr. Alumanda de la Rosa and PNRI Deputy Director Dr. CC Bernido [PHOTO and STORY by MR EGUIA]

SEAFDEC/AQD signed an agreement with PNRI (Philippine Nuclear Research Institute of DOST) for a five-year research collaboration and exchange of experts on 5 October’12 in Quezon City. Every study, however, will be covered by a separate terms of reference. The first one is on the “Potential uses of irradiated low molecular weight carrageenans in aquaculture” which will be conducted by AQD associate scientist Dr. Ma. Michelle Peñaranda and PNRI scientist Dr. Lucille Abad.

How did AQD link up with PNRI? Dr. Abad, incidentally a Dangal-ng-Bayan awardee, initiated the brief exchanges on researchable areas with AQD scientist Dr. Ma. Rowena Eguia; both knew each other as former fellows of the JSPS Ronpaku PhD dissertation grant. AQD then invited Dr. Abad to deliver a seminar on nanotechnology (specifically on the use of irradiated seaweeds in agriculture) and to meet prospective AQD collaborators (Dr. Helen Marcial, Dr. Mae Catacutan, Dr. Peñaranda, Dr. Fiona Pedroso and Ms. Rovilla Luhan) at AQD’s station in Iloilo in 2011. The drafts of the Memorandum of Understanding and Letter of Agreement (for the first study) were finalized in late September 2012 and signed early this month.