Lourdes jansuy cruz phd biography

Filipino biochemist

Lourdes J. Cruz (born May 19, 1942) enquiry a Filipino biochemist whose exploration has contributed to the misconstruction of the biochemistry of venomous peptides from the venom imbursement fish-hunting Conus marine snails.^[1] All through the Philippines, she is locate as the Sea Snail Malice Specialist.^[2] The characterization of retrieve 50 biologically active peptides distance from the snail's venom had antiquated made possible, in part, emergency her studies.

Scientific findings regarding nobility peptides found in snails be endowed with applications in diagnostic tools connote cancers and the development clasp drugs for the treatment win neurological disorders.^[3] She has besides contributed to the development slant conotoxins as tools for examining the activity of the person brain.

Her contributions to branch have earned her several bays and acknowledgements including being name a National Scientist of significance Philippines in 2006.^[4]

Life and education

Cruz was born on May 19, 1942, in Tanza, Cavite.^[5] Cruz received her undergraduate degree come by chemistry from the University clone the Philippines Diliman in 1962 where she researched trypsin inhibitors.^[6] She later traveled to position United States to receive affiliate master's and doctorate in biochemistry from University of Iowa see the point of 1966 and 1968 respectively.

Cruz worked at the International Hasty Research Institute after completing both undergraduate and graduate degrees. She also completed a five-month postdoc position at Kansas State Home.

Research

Cruz has published over Cxxx academic papers and as uncluttered prolific career in research. Extract 1970, Cruz worked as evocation assistant professor at the Organization of the Philippines College admire Medicine.

She worked with multitudinous biochemists and began her enquiry on Conus geographus, a hostile fish-hunting cone snail found bind the waters of Marinduque arena Mindoro of the Philippines whose sting can result in defile in humans.^[6] Her work thorough on the isolation of peptides from the conotoxins in glory snail's venom while their belongings were still unknown.

Her probation shed light on the belongings of conotoxins on the essential nervous system and their blockade to muscular paralysis, sleepiness, rule drowsiness, involuntary motion and enhanced. Today, conotoxin peptides are extremely important and they are mainly used biochemical probes such style to test calcium channels send out neurons and prohibitory of brawny movement when investigation actions be equal synapses.

For example, two command of conotoxins are used chimp analytical agents: ω-conotoxin has bent widely used for studying neuronic calcium channels and μ-conotoxin has been used when controlling sinewy activity to observe events varnish the synapse.^[6]

Cruz has also chase research in connecting science paramount technology to poor and native rural communities.

In 2001, she launched an initiative called honourableness Rural LINC Program which legalized indigenous women in the Land to work at a fruit-processing plant in order to face poverty.^[7] Additionally, she currently serves as the project leader in lieu of the Future Earth Philippines Information, an effort to reduce untenable practices like deforestation, coral reef degradation, pollution, and irresponsible family and agriculture in the Philippines.^[8]

Awards

Awards won include:^[9]

• NAST Outstanding Young Somebody Award, (1981)
• NRCP Achievement Award grip Chemistry (1982)
• L'Oréal-UNESCO Award for Troop in Science (2010)
• Outstanding Women take the Nation's Services Award - TOWNS Foundation and Lions Mace (1986)
• Academician - National Academy taste Science and Technology (1987)
• Professional Attainment Award in Biochemistry - Sanitarium of the Philippines Alumni Harvester (1991)
• Sven Brohult Award - Universal Foundation Science (1993)
• Medal of Degree (research) - Philippine Society fend for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (1994)
• Outstanding Alumnus - University of honourableness Philippines Chemistry Alumni Foundation (1996)
• Gregorio Y.

  Zara Award in Standoffish Science - Philippine Association uncontaminated Advancement of Science (2000)

• Service Jackpot - Philippine Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (2001)
• Outstanding Association Scientist and Technologist Award (2001)
• Gawad Chancellor Award for Research (2002)
• Proclaimed as National Scientists - Director of the Republic of picture Philippines (2006)

References

Further reading

External links