"Preeminent achievements by Filipinos in science and technology that have contributed to the progress of the country and humanity deserve the recognition and acknowledgment of our government in pursuit of its policy of furthering national development through enhanced scientific and technological research and development," Mrs. Arroyo said in Proclamation 1167.
The President said Cruz’s work "in the chemical sciences and expertise in marine toxicology is reflective of this preeminence and of the national genius that contributes to science and technology and to the progress of the Philippines and the world."
Cruz is a professor of biochemistry at the Marine Science Institute of the University of the Philippines and a research professor at the University of Utah.
She is also the president of the Center for BioMolecular Science Foundation Inc.
Cruz’s studies involving the venom of fish-hunting Conus marine snails led to the use of toxins isolated from the venom of these snails as biochemical probes for examining the activities of the human brain.
She was given the award upon the recommendation of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) and the Department of Science and Technology.
Cruz is also the recipient of the NAST’s Outstanding Young Scientist Award (1981), the National Research Council of the Philippines Achievement Award in Chemistry (1982) and the Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service Award for biochemistry (1986).
The rank and title of National Scientist was created under Presidential Decree 1003-A dated Dec. 16, 1976.
The Constitution states that science and technology are essential for national development and the state should give priority to research, development, invention, innovation and their utilization.