Academician Professor Emeritus Fortunato B. Sevilla III, PhD, one of the illustrious and decorated scientists of the University of Santo Tomas, was conferred the 2022 National Research Council of the Philippines Member Emeritus Award on March 11, 2023 during the NRCP’s General Assembly at the Philippine International Convention Center. The award was conferred by the NRCP after the nomination by the Division of Chemical Sciences.
According to the citation read out during the conferment ceremonies, “Professor Emeritus Fortunato B. Sevilla III of the University of Santo Tomas is an NRCP Achievement awardee and an Academician of the National Academy of Science and Technology who has been recognized locally and globally for his pioneering contribution in sensors and instrumentation science research in the Philippines. He conducted training workshops on the development of low-cost instrumentation and microscale chemistry in different parts of the country and in Asia and Latin America. Acd. Sevilla is a beacon to his numerous students and colleagues in the academe and in the Chemistry profession. He contributed to the professional growth of several generations of chemists, mentors, and institutional leaders. He serves as Chair of the Technical Committee for Chemistry of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and has been President of the Federation of Asian Chemical Societies (FACS), Kapisanang Kimika ng Pilipinas (KKP), Integrated Chemists of the Philippines (ICP), Organic Chemistry Teachers Association (OCTA), Philippine Federation of Chemistry Societies (PFCS), and Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology (PhilAAST).” Sevilla is a prime mover of developing low-cost instrumentation and microscale chemistry in the country and has been mentoring chemists and researchers for decades. In the University, he has served as Assistant to the Rector for Research and Development and two-time Dean of the College of Science, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Summa cum Laude, in 1968. It was in 2015 when he was elevated to the rank of Professor Emeritus, in a solemn ceremony that celebrated his preeminence as a professor, researcher, and mentor.