Dr. Merdelyn T. Caasi-Lit, entomologist at the Institute of Plant Breeding, is the recipient of the Eduardo A. Quisumbing Medal (Outstanding Research and Development Award for Basic Research) of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) for 2023.

Known for being passionate and charismatic, Dr. Merdelyn has dedicated almost four decades of her life to studying insect pest management, host plant resistance, and crop improvement, among others. Throughout her career, she has earned various prestigious awards and published numerous research papers in the field of entomology.

This year, she is recognized by NAST for her research entitled “Host Resistance of Corn to Major Insect Pests (Asian Corn Borer, Ostrinia furnacalis, and Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda) and Other Related Basic Entomological Studies”, which has paved the way for the development of maize varieties that can serve as farmers’ first line of defense against pests. Through this, corn farmers can hope for less chemical use and crop damage, more harvest and income, and a healthier, more sustainable, and biodiverse environment.

The Eduardo A. Quisumbing Medal is conferred by NAST to individuals and groups with impactful contributions through research in the mathematical, physical, and life sciences. This year, NAST presented the award to Dr. Caasi-Lit (UP Los Baños) and Dr. Edsel Maurice T. Salvaña (UP Manila) during the 2023 National Science & Technology Week held on November 22 at the Iloilo Convention Center. (Also in UPLB Horizon Broadsheet.)

(Juvelle P. Villanueva)