FORTIFYING HER stature as one of the top science researchers in the country, Dr. Prima Fe R. Franco of CAS won second place in the 8th National S&T Fora Competitions of the Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development (PCIERD) under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Her paper on 1st and 2nd Generation Ethanol Production from Sweet Sorghum Using Locally Isolated Microorganisms was chosen among nine national finalists from the Luzon, Vizmin, and National Capital Region clusters. A cash prize of Php250,000 went with the award.

Top three winners in each cluster advanced to the national finals held March 15-16 at the National Academy of Science and Technology, Taguig City. Dr. Franco’s paper earlier ranked second in the regional competition held Feb. 25 at the Food and Nutrition Research Institute.

The awarding ceremonies took place at the Hyatt Hotel Manila, March 17, with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo keynoting the event, which marked PCIERD’s 28th anniversary. DoST Secretary Estrella Alabastro and Usec. Graciano Yumul of PCIERD handed the award to Dr. Franco, an alumna of MMSU (BS Biology), the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee (MS Biological Science), and the University of the Philippines Diliman (PhD Molecular Biology and Biotechnology).

Conducted every two years, the competition recognizes excellent researches that could make a difference in the sectors of PCIERD, namely: chemicals/processing, food, metals and engineering, mining and minerals, textile, energy, transportation, environment, and disaster management. Notably, there were entries in all these sectors.

With her victory, Dr. Franco hopes that MMSU’s bench scale production proposal with PCIERD will be finally considered. If granted, it will be a big boost to MMSU’s goal of energy self-sufficiency. Dr. Heraldo Layaoen is the national program coordinator of the Sweet Sorghum Project while Engr. Samuel Franco is the focal person at MMSU.

Dr. Franco, who also received the CHED National Republica Award in 2007 and the DOST Secretary Award in 2008, attributes her success all to \"God’s grace.\" \"I always remember that without Him, there is nothing I can accomplish,\" she said in an interview.

Under her leadership, the Biology Department of CAS was recognized as Center of Development in Biology.