Virginia Cuevas
In line with the celebration of 2023 National Women’s Month, we will be featuring our NAST PHL women for Agha Monday!
Let’s get to know more about the empowered women of the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL).
Dr. Virginia C. Cuevas is a notable scientist, educator, and mentor in the field of mycology and environmental biology. She was recognized for her vital contribution to the betterment of agriculture and natural resources in the Philippines. Her research centered on the utilization of beneficial fungus (Trichoderma species) for sustainable agriculture and pollution reduction.
Dr. Cuevas created rapid composting technology by utilizing Trichoderma, a microorganism that acts as an activator in hastening the decomposition of farm wastes into compost which can be used as an organic fertilizer. This fertilizer has been shown to increase rice and other crop yields. Moreover, she also developed Trichoderma Microbial Inoculant (TMI), which improves crop growth and controls various fungal diseases, particularly clubroot disease of cabbage, which costs millions of pesos.
Dr. Cuevas was also given various awards by different local and international institutions. Among her numerous awards is the Hitachi Global Foundation Innovation Award in 2020, NAST Hugh Greenwood Environmental Science Award in 2012, Metro Bank Outstanding Teacher in 2008, National Research Council of the Philippines’ Achievement Award in Biology in 2005, Civil Service Commission Lingkod Bayan Award in 1990 and NAST Outstanding Young Scientist Award in 1989.
Acd. Cuevas obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Botany from the University of the Philippines Diliman in 1969 and 1977, respectively, and her Doctor of Philosophy in Botany from the University of the Philippines Los Baños in 1987. She was elected to the Academy in 2016.
For more information about Dr. Cuevas, you may visit the NAST PHL website using this link: http://members.nast.ph/index.php/list-of-nast-members/details/1/107
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