Asean scientists call on the young to 'save lives'

MANILA -- Filipino Physicist Caesar Saloma and Singaporean virologist Lisa F.P. Ng didn't see themselves as heroes when they were younger. They were only interested in pursuing their interests. Saloma liked how light works while Ng had a keen sense on biology. Their work bordered on laboratory science that very few knew would have an impact on industries and society. Here's a video interview I did with Ng and Saloma. This page requires a higher version browser Saloma's concentration on photonics (light energy) led to the invention of a system to generate high contrast images of semiconductor sites used for electronics manufacturing, while Ng had helped develop the first miniaturized handheld detection system for the dreaded avian Flu virus and severe acute respiratory syndrome. For their scientific contributions Saloma and Ng were awarded with the Outstanding Scientists and Technologists Awards by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during the recently held ASEAN Science and Technology Week in Manila. Ng received the Young Scientists and Technologists award in the below 40-year-old category. Ng has been in the biomedical field for at least 10 years focusing mostly on infectious diseases. She has especially concentrated on SARS and the avian flu, which had attacked several Asian countries a few years back. Ng worked closely with clinicians, virologists and public health workers to deliver a system for disease preparedness. Ng is currently the senior scientist at the Singapore Immunology Network under the Agency for Science, Technology and Research. Meanwhile, Saloma is the current dean of the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Science. His research is one that requires pure science as he works in the background, developing new technologies that can be used for various industrial applications, particularly in manufacturing, imaging and microscopy. He is also no stranger to awards. He has published several researches in various scientific publications. He is the first and only Asian to receive the prestigious Galileo Galilee Award in 2004. Both Ng and Saloma said that their work as scientists entail a lot of trial-and-error. They take years to find a solution to problems in their researches and most of the time they have only their colleagues in the same field to help them out. "It's not an easy venture but the fruits of one's labor far exceed the problems that came with it," Ng said, adding that women in particular should also continue contributing to science and make a difference. Likewise, Saloma stressed that science may have its hardships and fun. He cited Albert Einstein who said that imagination is an important element in science, which is why he had developed some of the world's most notable theories and formulas. Saloma said that young scientists should also focus on collaborating with each other to find a common goal and focus their energies in achieving these. "It could save lives," he said.