Two NARTDI researchers participated in the first virtual Speakers Bureau hosted by the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region 1. In celebration of the 2020 National Science and Technology Week, this event was held via Zoom on November 5, 2020.

Together with 28 other University faculty members and staff, Ms. Mishima P. Soliba, and Ms. Rolyne Mae C. Pajarillo, apiculture researchers, learned several science-based innovations shared by the equally high-caliber speakers namely:

• Mr. Romeo M. Javate, Division Manager, Investment and Business Development at DOST-TAPI;
• Academician Edward H.M. Wang, Member, Health Sciences, NAST PHL; and
• Academician Rodel C. Lasco, Member, Agricultural Sciences Division, NAST PHL.

They each presented the following, respectively:

• “Kabuhayan: Technology Transfer and Commercialization Services”;
•  “Kalusugan: SIBOL-COVID Biomedical Innovations: Opportunity in Crisis”; and
• “Kaayusan: Science and Technology for Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction.”

The first topic focused on the different programs of DOST-Technology Application Promotion Institute (TAPI) with emphasis on the platforms that facilitate and encourage commercialization of DOST-funded/generated technologies. This is to ensure an enabling ecosystem for faster transfer of local technologies into the mainstream market. Acad. Wang highlighted the advances which his team developed through their project SIBOL. The project addresses difficulties brought by the SARS-CoV-2 ambush. Their team is composed of different task forces from the medical and engineering fields serving as investigators, who continuously work to protect, disinfect, and distance front liners from the threats of COVID-19. Wang emphasized that “passion, team effort, and multispecialty approach” are vital in achieving desired results. The last subject centered on global climate and disaster risk preparedness. Acad. Lasco underscored the up to four degrees centigrade increase in the projected temperature changes by the end of the 21^st century. He also highlighted the impacts of climate change on ecosystems in the Philippines.          

The event is a program under the Advisory and Advocacy Functions of NAST PHL, which aims to gather and bring experts in various fields, to lend their expertise to academic institutions or any interested organizations that are in need of speakers and resource persons on any science-related issues. (RMPajarillo)