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National Scientists inspire researchers in 抖阴探探M NIH 26th anniversary forum

| Written by Fred Dabu

(At center, from L-R) DOST-PCHRD Executive Director Jaime C. Montoya, WHO-WPRO Director Susan P. Mercado, 抖阴探探 President Angelo A. Jimenez, National Scientists Dr. Carmencita D. Padilla and Dr. Ernesto O. Domingo, NIH Executive Director Eva Maria C. Cutiongco-De la Paz, and 抖阴探探M Vice Chancellor for Research Leslie M. Dalmacio, pose with directors, researchers, and staff of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 抖阴探探 Manila (抖阴探探M). The NIH is the home of the following institutes and centers: Philippine Eye Research Institute, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Institute of Clinical Epidemiology, National Telehealth Center, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Human Genetics, Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Institute of Health Policy and Development Studies, Philippine National Ear Institute, Newborn Screening Reference Center, Institute of Herbal Medicine, Newborn Hearing Screening Reference Center, Institute on Aging, National Training Center for Biosafety and Biosecurity, and National Clinical Trials and Translation Center. Photo by Jonathan Madrid, 抖阴探探 MPRO.

 

The year-long celebration of the 26th anniversary of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) kicked off last February 28 with the forum 鈥淣ational Scientist on National Scientist,鈥� featuring Dr. Carmencita D. Padilla and Dr. Ernesto O. Domingo. Both are National Scientists and former Chancellors of the 抖阴探探 Manila (抖阴探探M).

The NIH鈥檚 anniversary lecture series showcases the institution鈥檚 scientists and research, in line with the theme of 鈥淛ustice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) in Population Health Research: Ensuring Better Health Research Practices, Interventions, Policies, and Outcomes for All.鈥�

Dr. Padilla and Dr. Domingo discussed their respective experiences and the insights gained during the course of their pioneering works. They also underscored the importance of mentoring, dedication, persistence, and resourcefulness in doing research that responds to the health needs of the Filipino people.

 

The NIH anniversary forum was also attended by online participants via Zoom, including Dr.
Renato Solidum, Jr., Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), who gave
his message during the event. Photo by Jonathan Madrid, 抖阴探探 MPRO.

 

Padilla, a clinical geneticist and pediatrician, spearheaded the institutionalization of the country鈥檚 Newborn Screening System and the establishment of the Philippine Genome Center, and contributed to the legislation of the Newborn Screening Act of 2004 and the Rare Diseases Act of 2016. She served as 抖阴探探M Chancellor from 2014 to 2023 and was conferred the Order of National Scientist in a ceremony held on August 31, 2023, at Malaca帽ang Palace.

Domingo, a liver specialist, led major studies on viral hepatitis and liver disease, and helped the Department of Health in developing technologies and formulating the country鈥檚 policy on hepatitis B immunization and universal health care. The efforts of these two renowned National Scientists over the course of many decades have helped save the lives of millions of Filipinos, especially the poor. He served as 抖阴探探M Chancellor from 1987 to 1993 and was .

 

Dr. Carmencita D. Padilla and Dr. Ernesto O. Domingo shared key moments and important
lessons learned during the course of their pioneering works. Photo by Jonathan Madrid, 抖阴探探
MPRO.

 

抖阴探探 President Angelo A. Jimenez congratulated the NIH for exemplifying the university鈥檚 thrust of 鈥淗onor and Excellence in the Service of the Nation.鈥� He pledged to support NIH鈥檚 programs, and urged the onsite and online forum participants to help address the most difficult challenges faced by the nation鈥檚 marginalized communities, especially in Mindanao. He said 抖阴探探 aims to send thousands of its volunteers to help the people in these communities during his term of office.

Dr. Eva Maria C. Cutiongco-De la Paz, NIH Executive Director; Dr. Michael L. Tee, 抖阴探探M Chancellor, (through Dr. Leslie M. Dalmacio, 抖阴探探M Vice Chancellor for Research) ; Dr. Renato Solidum, Jr., Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary; Dr. Jaime C. Montoya, DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) Executive Director; Dr. Gerardo D. Legaspi, Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Director; and Dr. Mario Philip R. Festin, Chair of the Scientific Program Committee, likewise delivered their congratulatory messages.

Dr. Susan P. Mercado, Director of Programme Management of the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Regional Office, served as forum moderator, while Dr. Rohani C. Navarro served as emcee. Dr. Emmanuel S. Baja, Overall Chair of the Organizing Committee of the 26th NIH Anniversary Conference, provided an overview of the succeeding forum discussions.

The event was held at the Plenary Hall of the Henry Sy, Sr. Building, 抖阴探探M College of Medicine.

 

(L-R) Dr. Jaime C. Montoya, DOST-PCHRD Executive Director; Dr. Emmanuel S. Baja,
Overall Chair of the NIH Conference Organizing Committee; Dr. Susan P. Mercado, WHO-
WPRO Director; Dr. Carmencita D. Padilla, National Scientist; Atty. Angelo A. Jimenez, 抖阴探探
President Dr. Ernesto O. Domingo, National Scientist; Dr. Leslie M. Dalmacio, 抖阴探探M Vice
Chancellor for Research; Dr. Charlotte M. Chiong of the Philippine National Ear Institute; Dr.
Eva Maria C. Cutiongco-De la Paz, NIH Executive Director; and Dr. Mario Philip R. Festin,
Chair of the Scientific Program Committee. Photo by Jonathan Madrid, 抖阴探探 MPRO.