December 15, 2022 — In the face of health problems due to the sudden appearance of new diseases including COVID-19, one professor rises to help alleviate the escalating problems on environmental pollution and energy.
Born in Cogon, Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, Dr. Nelson Ramirez Villarante, a UP professor at the Department of Physical Sciences and Mathematics, (DPSM), College of Arts and Sciences won the 2022 Philippine Federation of Chemistry Societies (PFCS) Chemisphere Outstanding Achievement Award in Chemical Research at the 36th Philippine Chemistry Congress last October 1, 2022. Dr. Villarante’s research finds significance under the 17 UNESCO Sustainable Development Goals—on finding ways to clean up the water and the production of energy. He has been searching for alternative solvents that are less toxic and has been working on the synthesis of renewable energy like biodiesel.
“As a researcher, I realized that I have the responsibility to take care of the environment. Sometimes, we researchers generate waste materials that are highly critical to the environment,” Dr. Villarante said. This deep-rooted awareness and concern to protect the environment is engraved throughout his career as a teacher and a multi-awarded scientist.
Figure 1. (Top) Synthesis of Activated Carbon Chitoson Composite for Adsorption Research (Bottom) Rotary evaporator for Biodiesel synthesis
Figure 2. Soxhlet Extraction Setup of Oil from Lumbang Seeds for Biodiesel Production
As a professor of 31 years, students remember Dr. Villarante for his relaxed style of teaching and storytelling. In showing the practical side of chemistry, students were most engaged as reaction mechanisms are vividly illustrated. Theories come alive with humor. Facts connect to our environment on an entirely new level. Solid excellence lives on with his distinctive thrill in the drill during exams. Since his research interests focus on environmental research and energy (e.g. activated carbon composite synthesis for removal of organic and inorganic pollutants from wastewater; green solvents’ synthesis – ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents; biodiesel synthesis from agro-based materials), he trained advisees on bioremediation research.
His top three best practices: (1) do research that will provide less waste to the environment; (2) apply the concept of circular economy to maximize sustainability; and (3) do research that has something to do with the 3 R’s (reduce, reuse, and recycle) such as valorization of waste materials.
Dr. Villarante believes that we Filipinos are formidable citizens. He advises aspiring researchers to continue doing transformative research, continue to mentor and motivate undergraduate students to do relevant research, and to love their work. He urges those in the field to have the passion for doing research without being limited by circumstances, to learn to be persistent, and to continue to persevere to attain their goal.
Haziel May C. Natorilla
