Saturnina C. Halos

Details

Considered one of the pillars of Philippine biotechnology, Saturnina Halos has assisted the Department of Agriculture in developing and overseeing implementation of its policies and programs in biotechnology and chairs its Biotechnology Advisory Team. She has actively participated in the drafting of GM crop regulatory policies and has served as technical consultant to the Philippine Congress in the drafting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997 and in the preparation of various agricultural bills and resolutions to the COCAFM 2009-2010. Dr. Halos has established the first functional forensic DNA analysis laboratory in the country. She has more than 40 years experience in teaching, research, and extension in molecular biology and biotechnology in various capacities in a number of universities and governmental departments. She has more than 80 scientific articles and books in biotechnology and biosafety.

Sex: Female

Education:

  • University of California, Berkeley, California, Ph.D. in Genetics, 1975
  • UP, College of Agriculture Graduate School, Diliman, Quezon City, 24 Units of Graduate Courses in Genetics,Biochemistry and Philsophy, 1971
  • University of the Philippines, B.S. Agriculture (magna cum laude), 1967

Field of Specialization:

Genetics

Researches:

Halos, S.C., Chu, J.C., Ferreon, A.C.M., Magno, M.M., (1999) Philippine population database at nine microsatellite loci for forensic and paternity applications
Forensic Science Institute Volume 101

De Ungria M.C.A. Frani-Ferrer, A. Tabbada, K.A. Tan, M.M.. Delfin, F.C. Calalal, C., Halos, S.C., (2002) The Philippine genetic database of short tandem repeats (STR) in DNA-based paternity testing
Philippine Journal of Science Volume 131, No. 1

Halos, S.C., Ramirez, D.A., (1968) Cytology of the developing endosperm of the normal and the mutant (macapuno) coconut
Philippine Agriculturist Volume 52, No. 2

Aspiras, R.B. Halos, S.C. Tejada, F.S. Jusgado, L.O., (1977) Biological nitrogen fixation.
NSDB Technology Journal Volume 2, No. (3):

Halos, S.C., Fogel, S., (1977) Genetics of pleiotropic cysteine mutants of Saccharomyces cereviceae
Kalikasan, Philippine Journal of Biology Volume 6, No. 2

Halos, S.C., (1977) Yeast strains excreting amino acids.
Kalikasan, Philippine Journal of Biology Volume 6, No. (1):

Halos, S.C., (1978) Book review: Handbook on Philippine Medicinal Plants by De Padua, L.S. et al.
Sylvatrop Volume 3, No. (2):

Halos, S.C., (1978) High quality seeds for forest production and research purposes.
Canopy Volume 4, No. (3):

Halos, S.C., (1978) Research notes: Findings from FORI short term studies.
Canopy Volume 4, No. (10):

Halos, S.C. Principe, E.B., (1978) Vanishing almaciga 9Agathis philippinensis) of Samar, Philippines
Forest Genetics Resources Information, Rome, Italy , No. (8):

Halos, S.C., (1979) Ilang-ilang flower power to the people.
Canopy Volume 5, No. (1):

Tumalinan, B.T. Halos, S.C., (1979) Screening herbicides and herbicidal preparation for clearing reforestation areas.
Sylvatrop Volume 4

Halos, S.C., (1980) Energy inside our forests
Canopy International Volume 6, No. 11

Halos, S.C., Sibal, D.L., (1980) Agoho as fuelwood and for afforestation: and other fast growing species as an alternative for ipil-ipil
Canopy International Volume 7, No. 5

Halos, S.C., (1980) Ipil-ipil: the wonder ceases
Canopy International Volume 6, No. (9):

Halos, S.C., (1981) Factors affecting the quality and quantity of almaciga resin.
NRCP Bulletin , No. (87):

Halos, S.C., (1981) Lets propagate agoho.
Canopy International Volume 7, No. (5):

Halos, S.C., (1981) Nipa for alcogas production.
Canopy Inetrnational Volume 7, No. (8):

Halos, S.C. Fabian, V., (1981) Quick, simple method of improving the germination of storedaklen parang.
Sylvatrop Volume 6(2)

Halos, S.C., (1982) Opportunities and constraints of agroforestry in the Philippines
Canopy International Volume 8, No. 7

Halos. S.C., (1982) Shoot development callus production and root induction of (Pterocarpus indicus) as affected by culture and irradiation.
Sylvatrop

Halos, S.C., (1983) Agroforestry : A new name for an old practice.
Scientia Filipina Volume 3, No. (1):

Halos, S.C. Lit, M.A., (1984) Alcohol production of yeast isolates from nipa sap.
Kalikasan, Philippine Journal of Biology

Halos, S.C. Abarquez, A., (1984) Response to shoot moth infestation and survival of various tropical pine provenances in Abra, Philippines.
Sylvatrop

Cabrera, E. Halos, S. Velmonte, M., (1997) Antibiograms, o serotypes and R plasmids of nosocomial Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from the ICU-CCU of the PGH.
The Philippine Journal of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Volume 26

Miranda, J.J. B., Chu, J.Y., Ferreon, A.C.M., Magno, M.M.F., Halos, S.C., (1999) Microsatellite DNA polymorphisms in Filipinos
NAST 21st Annual Scientific Meeting

Fleta, M.A.C. Ronque C.T. Loveria, M Halos, S.C., (1999) Transient expression of salt-tolerance genes in cyanobacteria.
NAST 21st Annual Scientific Meeting

Ponce, E.R. Halos, S.C,, (2002) The compatibility of GMOs to sustainable agriculture.
Transactions of the National Academy of Science and Technology Volume 24

Calacal, G.C. Bagadion, T.A.P. Brett, R.K. Danao, J.M.L. Fleta, N.M.C. Natividad, J.C.Z. Halos, S.C., (1999) Validation of two step different extraction from seminal fluid mixed with epitthelial cells.
NAST 21st Annual Scientific Meeting

Halos, S.C. Chu, J.Y. Ferreon, A.C.M. Magno, M.M.F., (1999) Philippine population database at nine microsatellite loci for forensic and paternity applications.
Forensic Science International Volume 101

Tabbada, K.A. Magno, M.M.F. Delfin, F.C. Calacal, G.C. Tan, M. Chu-Ferreon, J.Y. Halos, S.C. De Ungria, M.C.A., (2002) Allele frequencies of eight short tandem repeat loci in three Visayas Regional Populations of the Philippines.
Journal of Foresic Science Volume 47(6)

Halos, S.C., (2003) Proposed national biosafety framework for the Philippines
Technical Report to the UNEP

Silverio, C.M., Halos, S.C., Madgwick, J.C., (1996) Adsorption and uptake of nickel by Chlamydomonas sp.
In: Philippine Journal of Biotechnology, Abstracts of Competiting Scientific Papers Volume 7, No. 1

Halos, S.C., Ferreon, C.M., (1998) Assessment of genetic variation in the Philippine Mangoes using RAPD markers
Proceedings of the 14th Philippine Chemistry Congress

Papers Presented:

  • Optimization of PCR conditions for the RAPD analysis of seven tree species , 13th Philippine Chemistry Congress,
  • PCR-based amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis of three tetrameric STR loci on a Filipino population, 14th Philippine Chemistry Congress
  • Assessment of genetic variation in the Philippine Mangoes using RAPD markers, 14th Philippine Chemistry Congress

Awards:

  • Recipient, UP President's Pin for Outstanding Graduate, UP, 1967
  • Outstanding Researcher, Forest Research Institute, 1981
  • Outstanding Research Paper, Los Baños Science community, 1985
  • Recipient, Medal for Outstanding BSA Graduate, Jake Gonzales, 1967
  • Study Tour on Hydrocarbon Producing Plants in Japan, UNDP, 1981