Pinay Agricultural researcher receives Japan International Award 2009

MANILA, Philippines - A Filipina researcher recently received the Japan International Award 2009 for Young Agricultural Researchers for her outstanding contribution to the development of technologies for the mitigation of food and environmental problems.

The Philippine embassy in Tokyo said the Japanese Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Research Council of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) gave the award to Dr. Maria Junemie Hazel Leonida Lebata-Ramos, a researcher for the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC).

Dr. Lebata-Ramos was conferred the commendation award last Nov. 4 for her research work entitled, “Stock enhancement of commercially important and threatened marine invertebrates in tropical areas.”

The embassy said that “the award bestowed on Dr. Lebata-Ramos is a reaffirmation of her achievement in fisheries and marine research that serves to promote food productivity, food security and environmental and marine conservation. Her winning this prestigious award will help inspire more researchers to follow her path.”

Dr. Lebata-Ramos is currently the program leader in the aquatic ecology program at SEAFDEC. The organization provides sustainable fisheries development in the region, such as fisheries and aquaculture technologies and practices, post-harvest technology, international and intra-regional fish trade, fisheries management concepts and approaches, policy and advisory services.     – Pia Lee-Brago