Institute of Chemistry, UPLB

     On Friday, March 23, 2012, the Institute of Chemistry (IC), Institute of Biological Sciences (IBS) and Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Phys-ics (IMSP) jointly celebrated their 29th anniversaries as National Centers of Excellence. A program entitled ―NCOE Evolution: Rising to the Challenges of the K-12 Revolution‖ was held at the CAS Auditorium.

     The UPLB-IC team came back with a vengeance, bagging the gold as the Champion of PACSiklaban 2012 National College Chemistry Quiz held at the National College of Public Administration and Governance Assembly Hall, University of the Philippines Diliman last February 19. Led by team captain John Michael Cue, they bested 11 participating teams from the country’s prestigious colleges and universities. Together with Abraham Sianoya, Rona Karmela Bravo, Kristalle Cruz, Jessa Marie Makabenta, King Bryan Gabog, and Christian Manahan, the UPLB delegation fought hard to the end, eventually emerging victorious in this war of wits in the field of chemistry.

     The CAS has a new Associate Dean in the person of Dr. Myrna S. Rodriguez. An Associate Professor 7 at the Insti-tute of Chemistry (IC), she graduated BS Agricultural Chemistry (1976) and MS Agricultural Chemistry (1984) from UP Los Baños, and obtained her PhD in Chemistry and Biochemistry (Bioinorganic Chemistry) (1994) from La Trobe University in Australia.