Young Pinoy scientists head to Basel biocamp

MANILA, Philippines - Two young scientists have been selected by Novartis Healthcare Philippines to represent the country in the 2013 Novartis International BioCamp in Basel, Switzerland from Aug. 25 to 29.

Malem Flores, a B.S. Biology, major in Microbiology, graduate of UP Los Baños as an Agricultural and Rural Development scholar who is currently taking up M.S. in Microbiology at UP Diliman, is part of a team of American and Filipino scientists trying to discover and develop new drugs and biofuels from indigenous marine mollusks.

Charles Jourdan Reyes, a magna cum laude B.S.  Biology, minor in History graduate of Ateneo de Manila University where he was a full scholar and is currently taking up M.S. in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at UP Diliman, was trained at Japan’s respected Nara Institute of Science and Technology in molecular biology research on neural stem cells for the treatment of spinal cord injuries under the mentorship of Kinichi Nakashima, one of the world’s experts in neural stem cell research.

Their selection was announced at the end of the Novartis Biotechnology Leadership Camp or BioCamp 2013 last week at the AIM Conference Center in Makati City.

Flores and Reyes were selected from 51 graduate and post-graduate students in the natural sciences who applied for the Novartis International Biocamp.

Their selection was based on academic excellence and professional experience.

Flores and Reyes will join other young scientists from different countries in Basel, where they will attend biotech and medicine research workshops.

Novartis is a leading multinational healthcare solutions provider headquartered in Basel. The conglomerate takes pride in their diversified portfolio to best meet the global need for innovative medicine, eye care, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, preventive vaccines and diagnostic tools, over-the-counter and animal health products.