Economics Dept professor named new SOSS dean
In a memo released on March 31, University President Jose Ramon Villarin, SJ announced that Economics Department Professor and former Chair Fernando Aldaba, PhD will succeed History Department Professor Filomeno Aguilar, PhD as the new dean of the School of Social Sciences (SOSS). Aldaba will serve for an initial term of three years, from April 1, 2015 to May 31, 2018. Aldaba currently serves as chairman of the Board of Kasagana-Ka Development Center Incorporated, a development microfinance institution. He is also the president of the Civil Society Resource Institute and a board member of the East Asia Economic Association. Joff D. Bantayan
Ateneans win gold in Imagine Cup 2015
Computer science seniors Charles Justin Lim and Sean Andrew Rafanan took home the first prize in the World Citizenship category of the Microsoft Imagine Cup 2015 National Finals held in Blue Leaf Filipinas, Paranaque on April 15. The Imagine Cup is a global student technology competition sponsored by Microsoft that provides avenues for students from all disciplines to team up and use their ingenuity and passion to create applications, games and life solutions. The team’s winning entry, entitled “Sing,” is a mobile education application that teaches tone-deaf people to recognize and sing notes correctly. The application also received the Best Booth and EduPro Choice Awards at the competition. The team will advance to the Asia Pacific Semi-Finals to be held in May. Jin H. Lampasa
Environmental Science chair conferred NAST award
Environmental Science Chair and Assistant Professor Severino Salmo III, PhD won the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) Environmental Science Award at the New World Manila Bay Hotel on April 22. The NAST is the highest ranking scientific advisory body under the Department of Science and Technology and is tasked with honoring Filipino scientists across the country. Together with forester Arsenio Ella, Salmo received a cash prize amounting to P50,000 and a P1-million grant for research. Salmo’s research involved the assessment of vegetation and soil conditions in restored mangroves which typhoon Emong (international name Chan-hom) interrupted. Emong was the second tropical storm to breach the Philippine area of responsibility in 2009. As a result of his research, Salmo advocates the preservation of the nation’s mangrove forests to mitigate the effects of typhoons. Liam C. Lu
Programming varsity teams win DLSU contest
Three Ateneo teams from the Department of Information Systems and Computer Science (Discs) finished with places at the Clash of the Brains held at De La Salle University on April 11. Clash of the Brains is an annual competitive programming contest organized by the La Salle Computer Society. Team Fuchsia Moth, composed of applied mathematical finance junior David Martin Cuajunco, computer science junior Rico Tiongson and computer science senior Kyle Stephen See, was hailed champion. Computer science juniors Aemielvin Loremia, Jenina Isabel Sanchez and Andre Tan, secured fifth place under Team Sophinx. In sixth place was Team Multipole, composed of computer science seniors Hadrian Jules Ang and Leona Lao, and applied physics with applied computer systems senior Jaren Ryan Rex. All teams were coached by Vernon Gutierrez (BS CS ‘13) and managed by Discs Lecturer Walfrido David Diy, Discs Professor Mercedes Rodrigo and Discs Assistant Instructor Jessica Sugay. Briane B. Dela Peña
Villarin appoints new associate dean for Research and Creative Work
In a memorandum released on April 10, University President Jose Ramon Villarin, SJ appointed Environmental Science Chair and Associate Professor Emilyn Espiritu, PhD as the new associate dean for Research and Creative Work for an initial term of three years. She succeeded Chemistry Department Professor Armand Guidote, PhD, who first held the position in 2009. She graduated with a degree in Marine Science from the University of the Philippines and pursued both her masteral degree in Environmental Sanitation and doctorate degree in Applied Biological Science major in Environmental Technology in the State University of Ghent, Belgium. Espiritu was one of the recipients of the 2013 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Teachers and has been teaching in the Ateneo since 1994. Joff D. Bantayan
History professor lauded for research and scholarship
History Department Associate Professor Ambeth Ocampo, PhD was conferred the Juan D. Nepomuceno Cultural Award for Research and Scholarship by Holy Angel University on March 6, 2015. The said award, named in honor of the Holy Angel University Founder, is conferred annually during the university’s foundation day to cultural workers, scholars and artists who have contributed to Kapampangan studies and Kapampangan culture. According to the Ateneo website, Ocampo was cited “for his role in redefining and re-shaping our national identity though his reinterpretation of historical events and his reassessment of historical figures.” Furthermore, he was recognized for his accomplishments as a historian, scholar, author, newspaper columnist, teacher and cultural administrator. Joff D. Bantayan
Manila Observatory celebrates 150th anniversary
The Manila Observatory (MO) marked its 150th year with an exhibit entitled “Discoveries,” and the launch of its new website held at the MO lobby on April 13. Present at the launch were University President Jose Ramon Villarin, SJ, MO Executive Director Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga and MO Executive Board Member Daniel McNamara, SJ, among others. The exhibit displays the inception and development of the observatory from 1865 up until World War II. It is the first of three exhibits that will showcase its history and contributions to scientific research. It will run from April to June 2015. Joline S. Acampado
