FILIPINO SCIENTIST

JULIAN A. BANZON
• Born on March 25, 1908, National Scientist Dr. Julian A.
Banzon made significant contributions to food science in
the Philippines.
• He was a pioneer in exploring alternative sources of
fuel in the Philippines, with a particular focus on coconut
and sugarcane.
• His work as both scientist and an educator greatly
influenced the local alternative fuel industry.
• Renowned in the field of chemistry, Dr. Banzon gained
recognition for his notable researches on the Philippine coconut
and other indigenous materials as “renewable sources of
chemicals and fuels.”
• He pioneered in the study not just of the coconut, but also of
the sugar cane, in the Philippines, and produced the first
authoritative work on the derivation of fuels, specifically ethyl
esters, from these two crops.
• Moreover, he developed new and scientific methods, such as
the chemical extraction of surplus coconut oil, in one place of
the more commonly used physical process.
• After obtaining degree of Bachelor of Science in chemistry at the University of the
Philippines in 1930, he was immediately hired as assistant instructor at the Up College of
Agriculture. As a pensionado, he began pursuing graduate studies at the Iowa State
University in 1937, and consequently obtained a doctor of philosophy degree in
biochemistry (minor in microbiology), in 1940. His doctoral desertion was about the
“fermentative utilization of cassava.

• From 1951 to 1955, his career path in the field of science is getting better. He currently
occupied three positions: associate professor, associate chemist, and assistant head of the
Department of Agricultural Chemistry. He marked a milestone in his career in 1960 when he
became the first director of the Philippine Atomic Research.

• Subsequently, from March 25, 1970 to June 30, 1972, he was the officer in charge of the
division of food and science and technology in the Up in Los Banos. He wound up his career
in science and education as professor of food and science technology from July 1972 to
March 1973, when he retired from the Up College of Agriculture.
• In the field of science, Dr. Banzon received numerous award for his works.
• On July 14, 1959, the office of the secretary of the Department of Agriculture and
Natural Resources awarded him a certificate of merit for his “Outstanding Research
Work on Extraction of Coconut Oil”.
• He was also awarded a plaque as outstanding chemical graduate by the UP
Chemical Society of the Philippines and the PHILSUGIN award for research by the
Crop Society of the Philippine in 1976.
• Dr. Banzon was also named “ Chemist of the year” by the Professional Regulation
Commission in !978.
• In 1980 he was awarded Distinguished Service Award by the Integrated Chemist of
the Philippines, Incorporated, and in 1986, the University of the Philippines conferred
him with its Distinguished Alumnus Award.
• In July 1986, he was conferred National Scientist of the Philippines by the President
Corazon Aquino for his contribution in the field of chemistry in the country.
• As we know, Dr. Banzon’s passion in science made him pursue his career in the field of
science, evidence in the amount of award he received.
References:
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph
https://www.flipscience.ph
https://en.m.Wikipedia.org
 Submitted by:

Kasandra Claire Pedronan