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Paralytic shellfish toxins from harmful algal blooms or the much-feared "red tide" - was a source of pride this time around as researchers of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (led by Ms. Elvira Z. Sombrito) gained international recognition for their studies on the bioaccumulation of the toxins in green mussels reported in a paper, "Use of Perna viridis as Bioindicator of Paralytic Shellfish Toxins at Low Pyrodinium bahamese var compressum using a Radioreceptor Assay"

The paper was recently voted as the Best Paper in the Aquatic Invertebrate category and was named as one of the top ten papers published to date in the Journal, Environmental Bioindicators

The all-Filipino authors whose work came out in Volume 2, Issue 4(2007) of the said Journal, includes Ms. E. Sombrito, Ms. Celestina Honrado, Ms. Azucena de Vera, Mr. Rhett Simon Tabbada, Ms. Llorina Rañada, Mr. J. Relox,Jr., and Ms. Merrian Tangonan.

Local expertise on harmful algal blooms has long been acknowledged, with the PNRI being designated as a collaborating Center of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for studies on Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB)and the host laboratory being recognized as a regional resource center for Receptor Binding Assay.

The Department of Science and Technology, which has constantly supported the Institute's research on HABs, has sent its congratulatory greetings to the authors

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The beneficial uses of nuclear science and technology in food and agriculture, health care, industry, energy, and the environment will be highlighted during the joint celebrations of the golden jubilee of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) and the 36th Atomic Energy Week (AEW) on December 8 to 12, 2008.

PNRI Director Dr. Alumanda M. dela Rosa said that the theme for this year's celebration is "PNRI @ 50: Making Nuclear Science and Technology Work for You."

The PNRI, formerly the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission, was created by Republic Act 2067, known as the Science Act of 1958, which was the same law that created the National Science and Development Board, now the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on June 13, 1958.

The General Florencio A. Medina award will be launched on the opening ceremonies of the 36th AEW on December 8. Gen. Medina is considered as the Father of Atomic Energy in the Philippines.

The keynote speaker for the opening ceremonies is Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Elmer C. Hernandez, a former official of the PNRI. DOST Secretary Estrella F. Alabastro, to be represented by DOST Undersecretary Fortunato T. dela Pena, will give a message.

According to Eulinia M. Valdezco, Chairperson, Executive Committee of the 36th AEW /PNRI 50th Jubilee celebrations, the highlights of the week-long golden jubilee and AEW celebrations are: the scientific sessions on December 9 to 11 organized with the relevant professional societies/organizations; the technical poster contest; National Science Quiz for high school students on December 10 and soft launching of new/upgraded laboratories and facilities at PNRI during the closing ceremonies on December 12. The laboratories/facilities that will be launched by DOST Secretary Estrella F. Alabastro and DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development Graciano P. Yumul are the following: the Environmental Isotope Center, Analytical Measurements Research laboratory, Carrageenan Hydrogel Pilot plant , Microbiology laboratory, Central Alarm System, Multipurpose Irradiation Facility and the Emergency Response Support Center.

The scientific sessions will feature the applications of nuclear science and technology in health care on December 9, nuclear S & T applications in food, industry and environment on December 10 and safety and security of nuclear S and T on December 11. Among the 18 topics to be discussed during the three-day scientific sessions are : The Role of Irradiation in Reducing Food Insecurity by Dr. Robert L. Griffin, Director, Plant Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Laboratory, Center for Plant Health Science and Technology of the United States Department of Agriculture; Nuclear Energy in Power Generation by Pio J. Buenanavidez, Sr., Vice-President of National Power Corporation; The Need to Revisit the Linear Non-Threshold (LNT) Theory as Basis for Health Effects of Low Dose Radiation by Dr. Carlito R. Aleta, former PNRI Director and Coordinator of the International Atomic Energy Agency-Regional Cooperative Agreement (RCA); Safety and Security of Radiation Sources: Global Threat by Eulinia M. Valdezco, Chief of PNRI’s Nuclear Regulations, Licensing and Safeguards Division; and Philippine Nuclear S & T @ 50 and Beyond by PNRI Director Alumanda M. dela Rosa.

Thousands of students and teachers are expected to visit the PNRI who will be availing themselves of the guided tours, film showing, interactive exhibits and the educational game of radioactive source hunting.

For more information about the activities for the 36th Atomic Energy Week celebration, please call Eulinia M. Valdezco, 2008 AEW Executive Committee Chairperson, 920 8796 or 929 6010 to 19 local 213 or Rhoda R. Leonin/Tina S. Cerbolles, Information Officers, 920-8787 or 929-6011 to 19 loc. 286, or you could email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Four of PNRI's staff, headed by Regulatory Chief Ms. Eulinia Valdezco, shared the limelight with three officials from the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO) when they collectively clinched the Best Poster Paper Award at the Australasian Radiation Protection Society Conference held in Canberra.

The paper, which focuses on "Regional Cooperation To Reduce The Safety And Security Risks Of Orphan Radioactive Sources Through Sustainable Training Methods", was co-authored by Geoffrey Howard*, Celia Hacker*, Kristine Marie Romallosa, Estrella Caseria, Lorena Africa-del Castillo, Eulinia Valdezco, and Allan Murray*. It highlights the impact and benefits of the cooperation between ANSTO and PNRI in their mutual effort to secure radioactive sources, particularly under the framework of the Regional Security of Radioactive Sources (RSRS) project.

The regional project pays specific attention to reducing the safety- and security- risks associated with lost or stolen radioactive sources, and has translated to equipment delivery, provision of training and valuable support towards the conduct of a partnership mission and a national workshop on orphan source searches.

The Australasian Radiation Protection Society, which conferred the award, is a professional forum for Australian and the regional community fostering the exchange of ideas on issues and challenges in the areas of radiation safety, health and the environment. A certificate emanating from the Society will soon be issued to the co-authors in cognizance of their work.

At the same time, the poster paper is slated for presentation at the upcoming International Radiation Protection Association Conference which will be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina on the week of 19 October. The Philippines, through the local IRPA associate society – the Philippine Association for Radiation Protection – will be participating in the 12th Conference of the IRPA and has, in fact, been invited to chair the Session on “National Infrastructures” under the scientific theme, “Developing the Radiation Protection Framework”.

* Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization

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The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute is pleased to announce that it is now accepting nominations for the 2008 Nuclear S&T Award, a distinction given to individuals or group of individuals in recognition for dedication and service to the understanding, promotion, and application of nuclear science and technology including nuclear safety with a definable body of work in each of the following fields:

  • Health and Medicine
  • Food and Agriculture
  • Industry, Energy and Environment Radiation Safety
  • Technology Transfer and Services
  • Education, Training and Publication Information
  • Research

The awards will be presented during the 50th PNRI Anniversary Celebration coinciding with this year's Atomic Energy Week Celebration on December 8-12, 2008.

Candidate's contributions include, but are not limited to: service, publications, presentations and projects. The general criteria for screening the candidates are as follows:

a. Significance, relevance to national needs (30%)
b. Creativity, ingenuity, innovativeness, resourcefulness of approach, idea or techniques (25%)
c. Practicability, applicability, impact, communicability, timeliness (20%)
d. Technical soundness and accuracy (20%)
e. Length of time devoted to the promotion of Nuclear S&T (5%)

The nomination is open to all Filipino citizens or a group of Filipino citizens and a resident of the Philippines at the time of nomination. The nomination can be made by any individual or groups. To be eligible for the award, the nominee must be actively involved in the field. Only one award can be given to an individual.

Person/group/organization nominating candidates shall provide the Committee with a letter of nomination and duly accomplished nomination form to be submitted not later than November 22, 2008. The form is available at the PNRI website (http://www.pnri.dost.gov.ph) Download Forms section and can be provided upon request addressed to Awards Committee, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Nominations can be submitted to the same email address (electronic submission is encouraged). If mailed, it must be postmarked by November 18, 2008, and received at PNRI no later than November 22, 2008. Kindly mark all accompanying documents with the name of the nominee.

The Award Committee will screen nominations and identify finalists for each of the award categories. The recipient will then be chosen from among these finalists by an Award Selection Board consisting of members of the PNRI Senior Staff and the president or designated representative of the organizations and societies (PSNT, RSP, PSNM, PARP, POMP, POS). If a member of the Awards Committee or the Award Selection Board is a nominee, he/she is will not participate in the deliberations for the particular award category he/she is nominated for.

An award will be presented in the identified category ONLY if there is a suitable nominee meeting all the required criteria. Decisions to present or not present awards are made by the Award Selection Board and are final.

The nominations must be received by November 22, 2008.

Send nominations to:

2008 Awards Committee
c/o Elvira Sombrito or Linda Leopando
Philippine Nuclear research Institute
Commonwealth Ave., Diliman, Quezon City 1101
Tel 9296011 local 234, 225

Send e-nominations to:

Elvira Sombrito, Chair, Awards Committee
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.